Feeders and seed work as a pair
Birds choose by seed type, feeder shape and perch style. A tube feeder with small perches suits finches and chickadees, while a wide tray lets cardinals, doves and juncos eat. Put out the wrong combination and you get either empty feeders or birds you did not want, such as house sparrows and starlings. This page covers the most common feeders other than hummingbird and suet feeders, which have their own pages.
Feeder types and who they attract
| Feeder | Best for | Good seeds | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tube | Finches, chickadees, titmice, nuthatches | Black-oil sunflower, sunflower chips, nyjer in a small-port tube | Easy to fill; keep seed dry |
| Hopper or house | Cardinals, grosbeaks, jays, many songbirds | Black-oil sunflower, safflower | Holds a lot; shelter shields seed from rain |
| Platform or tray | Doves, juncos, sparrows, towhees, cardinals | Sunflower, millet, cracked corn | Easy to scrub, exposed to weather and spoilage |
| Nyjer (thistle) feeder or sock | American goldfinch, pine siskin, house finch | Nyjer | Very small ports or fine mesh |
| Fruit and jelly feeders | Orioles, tanagers, catbirds, mockingbirds | Orange halves, small amounts of jelly | Clean often, especially in heat |
| Window feeder | Close views | Small amounts of sunflower | Clean frequently; small holders spoil fast |
If you can only buy one, a sturdy hopper or tube feeder with black-oil sunflower is the all-rounder.
Choosing seed
Black-oil sunflower seed has a thin shell, high fat content and wide appeal, and many bird organizations consider it the single best seed for general feeding. Safflower is favored by cardinals and chickadees. White proso millet suits ground-feeding birds. Nyjer, a tiny black seed often sold as thistle, attracts goldfinches and siskins. Cracked corn and peanuts draw a variety of birds, including jays, but also squirrels and larger birds, so offer them selectively.
Be cautious with cheap mixed seed. Bags heavy in filler such as milo, wheat or red millet often leave a mess on the ground, because many songbirds pick out their favorites and kick out the rest. Choosing single-seed bags or mixes with more sunflower can reduce waste. Our feeder hygiene and seed choices guide goes deeper.
Where to place feeders
- Near cover, not in it. Birds like quick access to shrubs or trees for escape. Putting feeders in open sky invites hawks, while feeders against dense shrubs give cats a hiding place.
- Window strikes. Glass kills many birds. A common guideline is to place feeders either very close to a window, around 3 feet or less, or well away, more than about 30 feet. Window decals and screens also help.
- Away from the house for bears and rodents. Rodents and larger animals love spilled seed, so keep the ground clean.
- Out of the weather. A hopper with a roof or a location under an overhang protects seed.
Keeping feeders clean
Dirty feeders spread disease. Clean tube and hopper feeders every couple of weeks, or more often during wet weather, and tray feeders more often, because they are exposed. A commonly cited routine is to scrub with hot soapy water and then soak for a few minutes in a diluted bleach solution, around one part bleach to nine parts water, or a mix of vinegar and water, rinse thoroughly and let the feeder dry completely before refilling. Throw away any clumped, moldy or wet seed. Wear gloves and wash your hands afterward.
If you notice sick birds, such as lethargic birds with swollen, crusty eyes or birds that stay puffed up at the feeder, take the feeders down for a couple of weeks, clean everything and consider reporting what you saw to your state wildlife agency. Conditions such as house finch eye disease and salmonella spread easily where birds crowd together.
Feeding through the year
Winter is the season when birds benefit most, but feeding is not a requirement. Wild birds do not depend on feeders, and most of their diet in summer is insects. If you choose to feed year-round, be consistent and clean, and watch for the fall rush when migrants pass through. If you take feeders down for the summer because of bears, spoilage or conflict with neighbors, birds will find food elsewhere.
Common mistakes
- Buying the biggest feeder. A big feeder filled once and ignored goes bad.
- Using cheap mixes. Waste attracts rodents.
- Letting seed get wet. Damp seed grows mold quickly.
- Skipping cleaning. The most important step.
- Putting feeders right in front of reflective glass.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best all-around bird seed?
Black-oil sunflower, which attracts many species and has high fat content.
What do I need for goldfinches?
A nyjer feeder or a tube with very small ports, or a sock feeder, stocked with nyjer seed or sunflower chips.
How often should I clean bird feeders?
Every couple of weeks as a baseline, and more often in wet or hot weather, or whenever seed looks wet or moldy.
Where should I put a feeder to avoid window strikes?
Either very close to the glass, about 3 feet or less, or farther than about 30 feet, with decals on the window.
Why are there so many house sparrows at my feeder?
Cheap mixes with millet and corn attract them. Switch to black-oil sunflower or safflower, and use tube feeders that suit smaller birds.
