Different Types of Bird Feeders and Bird Waterers

So you’ve decided to add a bird feeder or waterer to your home. That’s wonderful! Bird feeders and accessories make beautiful additions to any yard and can help families get in touch with nature. But how do you know which kind to buy? You might be inclined to think that all feeders are the same, but in actuality, they vary greatly when it comes to the types of birds they attract, their functionality and the features they offer.

With that in mind, here’s a list of the most common types of bird feeders and waterers to help you decide which one is right for your yard.

Bird Feeders

Nectar Feeders – For hummingbirds

Nectar feeders are generally used to feed hummingbirds because they are filled with the same sweet nectar that is usually provided from flowers. You can easily recreate the nectar by mixing water with sugar and adding it to the reservoir. The benefits of choosing a nectar feeder are that it is relatively inexpensive and won’t cause pesky intruders. However, make sure you diligently clean the feeder whenever it needs it, as drinking contaminated nectar can potentially hurt the hummingbirds. We recommend purchasing a red nectar feeder like our Dew Drop Hummingbird Feeder because hummingbirds are attracted to the color red!

Suet Feeders – For woodpeckers, chickadees, jays and starlings

Suet feeders are uniquely designed with a metal fencing around the seed, which attracts birds that normally eat by hanging on to trees. Suet cakes are placed inside the fencing, allowing easy access for birds while protecting it from rodents. Although some suet feeders are plain, you can find others that are beautifully decorated, such as the Single Leaf Suet Feeder. With this kind of feeder, you’ll get a lot of attention from woodpeckers, chickadees, jays and starlings.

Hopper Feeders – For finches, jays, cardinals, sparrows and more

Distinguished by their covered roofs, hopper feeders like the cute hopper bird feeder below look the most traditional compared to others and are very pleasant to look at. While this type of birdhouse can rejuvenate any yard, it is also one of the more difficult to maintain, so make sure you’re dedicated to the task before buying one. Most common birds will flock to this type of feeder, but because the food isn’t completely protected, birds have to be careful and keep an eye out for predators. You also have to make sure not to let the feeder get wet, as the seeds can create mold and harm birds if eaten. 

Tube Feeders – For sparrows, chickadees, finches, jays and more

Tube feeders are easily recognizable based on their cylindrical and narrow shape. Easy to clean and dry, this type is a popular choice among homeowners because many of them come with added security features to prevent squirrels from climbing up. For instance, the Yankee Flipper Seed Feeder, has a motorized perch ring that is specially designed to discharge squirrels, based on their weight. Small and large species are both attracted to this design, so you’ll have plenty of attention from your local birds!

Bird Waterers

Bird waterers continuously provide fresh water through shallow pools for birds to drink and bathe in. Unlike bird baths, bird waterers automatically replenish the water once it has been used through a reservoir at the top that you can fill with water every so often. Bird waterers are a great substitute for traditional bird baths because the water will constantly be refilled and therefore these waterers require less maintenance from you. Our Daisy Bird Bath and Waterer contains over 100 ounces of water that is released into four separate drinking pools along with plenty of space for your winged friends to hydrate. And cleanup is simple; all you have to do is rinse it with soapy water and hang it back up!

Now that you’ve learned about the most common types of bird feeders and waterers, you’re hopefully more prepared to decide what kind you want for your own yard. Remember that different feeders are meant for different types of birds and require various degrees of maintenance, so the time you’ll need to commit should be considered. Once you’ve figured out what you want, your neighborhood birds will be delighted – and you’ll have something beautiful to look at every time you step outside!