A Guide To Wild Bird Feeders

Deciding which wild bird feeder is best for your garden is a tricky task, with lots of options to consider such as… what kind of food do you want to feed? What wild birds do I want to attract? Will the birds be safe from other animals? And so on. So we have tried to help you out by putting together some of the most popular feeders and explaining the benefits of each one.

Peanuts/Seed Feeders are great for all birds and are a low-cost option for your garden. One thing to look out for when using these feeders is that the mesh is not too big that it allows smaller birds to take whole peanuts which they can choke on. Peanuts are a good all-rounder offering a good source of protein and energy. Most UK birds will eat peanuts even though the nuts are not native to our shores. These feeders can be hung from a tree, bush, or feeding station allowing birds to feed as they please but also allowing those pesky squirrels to gobble them up!

Squirrel Proof Seed Feeders are the answer to those cheeky little guys who steal all of the feed. They are the same as the peanut feeders but some have a guard around the internal feeder that is too small for the squirrels to get into but big enough for your feathered friends the food is intended to fit through. While others have a weight limit that closes the feeding area when the weight is too much. In terms of what birds they will attract it depends on what mixes you put into them. Have a look at our blog on what wild birds like to eat here. One downside to this is that squirrels are very crafty and will shake the feeder until the seed drops out, they will then eat from the ground. You can try hanging them in an area that squirrels can not get to but a hungry squirrel will always find a way. If this is the case try feeding the squirrels separately so they leave the bird’s feed alone!

Nyjer Seed Feeders and other specialist feeders are usually for unique seeds. In this case, the nyjer seed is a lot smaller than other seeds so the holes on this feeder are also smaller. This stops the seeds from falling out but also stops the greedy birds from taking too much and choking. These feeders are ideal if you are looking to temp certain birds with the Nyjer seed. Those birds that particularly like Nyjer seed are Siskin, Green Finch, Gold Finch, and Dunnocks. Feeding this seed with the Nyjer seed feeder may also deter unwanted feeders as well.

Bird Tables are ideal for feeding all kinds of feed, from bird seed mixes and suet cakes to mealworms and even fresh fruit. Most types of birds will feed from bird tables so it all depends on what feed you leave out for them. The problem with bird tables is that the birds may not feel as safe feeding at a table as they would with a hanging feeder. The risk of cats for example attacking the birds is the same as if they were to feed off the ground. Also, we keep coming back to those squirrels! They love bird tables as it is the easiest way for them to get a quick meal!

Suet Feeders come in many shapes and sizes and are designed to fit the type of suet you wish to feed. They are available as suet pellet feeders/fat ball feeders which are similar to seed feeders, suet cake feeders which house the block of suet, and suet log feeders which have holes in to insert the logs. Suet is the preferred method of feeding for many garden bird lovers as the suet is a great source of energy for the birds and with the mix of seeds and insects offers a well-rounded meal, especially in the winter when food is hard to come by.    

We offer a full range of feeders online here, hopefully, you now know which feeder you want to use!