Skip to main content

PawTracks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Try out these 6 different kinds of best bird feeders to attract your feathered friends

Bird feeders come in multiple shapes and sizes because birds do, too. Each feeder accommodates a different feeding style, and many are enticing to a particular species. Before setting up your feeders, think first about what kinds of flyers you want to attract — and which ones are likely to oblige. Then, once you have a good bird-watching list, scout out the right locations and the best feeders to attract them. You can put out all these for the widest array of visitors or focus on a few types and get the best setup for just those eaters. Here are the six best bird feeders and what feathered friends you’ll probably see feeding at them.

Hummingbird drinks from red feeder
Image used with permission by copyright holder

What are the different types of bird feeders?

You probably have a bunch of different dishes in your home — plates, bowls, maybe a gravy boat. Our avian guests have the same needs. After all, some birds eat seeds, some animal fat, some flowers, and some nectar. Take a look through these top types and figure out which one — or ones — belong in your yard.

Recommended Videos

Hummingbird feeders

Putting up a hummingbird feeder all but ensures you’ll add a splash of color to your life. This one will bring in gorgeous birds and look nice in the window. Of course, the drawback is that you need to clean it often by hand. Don’t worry: A little soap and water will do the trick, and its glass construction means it will last a long time. Feeding hummingbirds saves your wallet, too, since you can make all the food yourself. Boil 1 part sugar and 4 parts water to create this concoction and refrigerate any left over right away. It’ll take your neighborhood birds a minute to find their new restaurant, but once they’ve discovered it (and given a rave review to their friends), you’ll never run out of visitors, provided you keep the food flowing. 

Hopper feeders

This is a classic bird feeder that adorns nearly every yard at one time or another. You’ll get large birds — and probably large squirrels — as regulars at this one. Try hanging it from a strategic spot or mounting it on a pole to avoid squirrels, but that might be a losing battle. Instead, focus on attracting the birds you do like with the proper seed for them (don’t forget to keep it full). We suspect you’ll spot a menagerie here, especially jays and cardinals since it’s welcoming to bigger animals. Unlike the hummingbird feeder, you won’t bring this one indoors often, and should make sure it’s reachable by hose or bucket for proper cleaning. 

Tube feeders

The smaller birds of the community will thank you for this tube feeder, as the little perches and openings go well with tiny feet and beaks. Watch for a mix of sparrows, chickadees, and titmice who enjoy having a spot of their own, and look at purchasing a blend that encourages them. However, a small feeder means you have to fill it regularly. It might take a few weeks, but you should get an idea of how often the birds start begging for a refill. Finding a spot can prove tricky because you never know when the guests of honor will alight on the other side. Place it between windows to best see every angle. 

Red-bellied woodpecker eats at a suet feeder
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Suet feeders

Many hoppers can actually be combined with suet feeders, drawing a wider group of birds to an area. But putting up some suet on its own works, too. Keep in mind, you mostly want to provide these meals in the winter months and can swap in fruit when it’s warmer. Suet gets messy, and this feeder will need to get soaked and scrubbed indoors in winter so it doesn’t start to grow bacteria. You’re sure to spot all kinds of woodpeckers eating at the fat during the cold days and may glimpse an early-morning oriole or robin when fruit’s on the menu. 

Tray feeders

Juncos and blackbirds will hop up to this platform for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Tray feeders provide one of the best viewing experiences since there’s no contraption to block the birds, and that can make cleaning easier as well. But the big issue with the platforms is that the food stays open to the elements at all times. Luckily, the trays aren’t too deep, which means refilling becomes a daily thing. Toss old seed that may have gotten wet; that’s a breeding ground for mold, some of which is harmful to our bird friends. Assuming your feeder attracts a lot of birds, you should have no problem getting them to eat the day’s offerings in a timely fashion. 

House finch eats at nyger feeder
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Nyjer feeders

Nyjer, or thistle seed (say that 10 times fast), encourages finches to visit since it contains a lot of oil, which provides much needed energy to little birds. Unlike that almost-free hummingbird food, though, it can cost a pretty penny to keep this one stocked. It’s important to pick a feeder that holds the seeds in well so the birds don’t waste it. Amazingly, the squirrels leave this one well alone as they don’t have much interest in the flowery seeds that finches chow down on. 

Welcoming our feathered friends with the best bird feeders means taking in a few squirrels and chipmunks as well. While some anti-mammal feeder contraptions may work, those pesky critters keep finding new ways to come back. That’s why we recommend avoiding the pricier options that say they’re squirrel proof. Instead, choose a good location where a squirrel will have trouble climbing or jumping up to the feeder. Or invest in finches and hummingbirds who eat foods that most mammals won’t want to munch on anyway.  

Topics
Rebekkah Adams
Rebekkah’s been a writer and editor for more than 10 years, both in print and digital. In addition to writing about pets…
5 best reptile heating pads to keep your little friend warm
Lizard suns on a rock under a heat source

Lizards, snakes, turtles, and tortoises are all reptiles, which means they have a few specific needs you'll want to think about before bringing them home. Most importantly, most reptiles are cold-blooded, meaning they can't make their own body heat and instead need to absorb heat from the environment around them. As you might guess, this means they like warm, sunny places to bask in order to keep their temperature (and therefore their energy level) up. When you bring home a reptile, it's important to make sure you have a heating pad or your animal will quickly get too cold and might even slip into hibernation. Not sure where to start? Here are some of the best reptile heating pads. 

Tikaton Reptile Heat Pad - Temperature Adjustable Under Tank Heater
A versatile heating pad, this one can go under the tank or stick to the side to diffuse heat. It's important to note, though, that placing any heating pad on top of furniture could cause permanent damage as they're really only made to go on glass or another temperature-resistant material. There are also two different sizes you can choose from depending on your housing and setup. We do recommend putting the heater on one side rather than the front or back, which allows a more secluded basking area that warms a section of the tank rather than the whole thing. A user loves the fact that it can be adjusted to different temperatures, remarking, "Works great! Nice heat control. Purchased this to use with our leopard gecko, works great for a 10 gallon tank. Highly recommend!!!"
FREESEA Aquarium Heater Fish Tank Submersible Heater (50W/75W/100W) with LED Temperature Display
We know it's for fish, but hear us out. This one works great for any marine reptiles that really need a heater that can be immersed in the water to heat it a little better. While you absolutely want warmer and cooler areas, you do need a baseline water temperature that won't get too low and cause your aquatic turtle to go into a stupor. Unlike other heating pads that don't do well in water, this one has to be submerged. It runs very efficiently, shutting off when the water reaches the desired temperature and turning back on when it drops, just like the thermostat in your house. Commenters mention that even though it's really designed for fish, it's still "Turtle approved," and one fan even remarks, "My hatchlings love to float over top of it, and they even sleep on it sometimes!"
KABASI Reptile Heating Pad, 14W / 20W Waterproof Reptile Heat Pad Under Tank Terrarium with Temperature Control
This highly energy-efficient and energy-saving heating pad "Works perfectly," according to one reviewer. It goes underneath the tank but does a good job of warming the substrate and delivering heat into the housing. While the pad cannot go in the water itself for long periods of time, you can feel free to clean it with a damp rag since it's mostly waterproof. Your beardie, leopard gecko, or tortoise will thank you for keeping them safe and toasty. Remember to include a thermometer and hygrometer so you don't overheat or under-moisten your habitat.
The best reptile heating pad with thermostat: iPower Reptile Heat Pad 4W/8W/16W/24W Under Tank Terrarium Warmer
The ultimate in a thermometer and heating pad mix, this one's temperature is controlled so you can choose your setting and monitor your tank as needed. It displays the temperature as either Fahrenheit or Celsius and has a range between 40 and 108 degrees, which means you can warm to just about any level that you need for your animal (and make sure that it stays there). You'll also have better insulation across the mat so it works well if you need something a bit more uniform or want to heat a larger area. A happy corn snake owner highly recommends this heating pad and says, "The heat pad hasn’t fallen off & provides good heat throughout the night."
Repticare Rock HeaterMini
More than just a heating pad, this "Awesome Secondary Heat Source," as one happy reviewer puts it, will look good and add a little warmth to your tank. Keep in mind, unlike many pads, it doesn't have any form of temperature control and some users mention that they cover it just to make sure it doesn't wind up burning their pets. One extra bonus is that you can add it as part of the decor and it won't burn your furniture or block your view of your animal as some others will. Even birds and mammals like this, and it's great for bearded dragons or box turtles too (although it is not a good fit for marine reptiles).

Read more
6 ways to tell that your bird really loves you
Woman kisses her parakeet sitting on her shoulder

Our birds love us – we're pretty sure. Just look at their chatty and affectionate personalities to confirm how happy they are to see you. Luckily, our little fliers, unlike almost every other pet, can sometimes communicate with us more directly. Therefore, we can certainly teach them to literally say "I love you." But while extremely charming and adorable, it doesn't really mean they understand. Instead, you should look to the more subtle signs that your bird loves you. Here's a few to keep an eye out for to confirm your pet truly worships you.

They talk to you
While we can't put a lot of stock into what birds say, we can certainly take that loquaciousness as a a symbol of affection. Birds love to interact because they are highly intelligent and extremely social creatures. By talking to us, they're really indicating that we've been welcomed into their flock. Encourage this behavior! It's good mental stimulation to keep up your end of the conversation, maybe even for both of you. 
They enjoy playing
Lots of playtime keeps a bird fit and engaged. When your animal loves to chew, swing, and fly, it means she's in a good mood. A bird who ignores toys and chooses to isolate may be sick or depressed. Make sure all the creatures in your care get plenty of exercise and watch them take full advantage of the workout equipment you provide. Games should endear you to them as well. You can work with them on some training, which will maintain your bond and give them an outlet for their energy. 
They like riding on you
One of the great things about owning a bird is taking her around with you while you go about your daily life. Avians enjoy showering and wandering about the house, even working with you in your office. If your companion specifically seeks you out to go for a shoulder ride, that gives you a pretty good idea that she enjoys your company. Don't forget to return the favor and take her to fun and exciting places in the house.
They want to be petted
Keep in mind that most animals only like being stroked in certain ways and you want to carefully stick with those areas on your bird as well. Pet her beak, chest, and head for maximum results (avoid the back and tail). If you gently touch her consistently, she'll grow to love your attention and give it in return. Look for her to rub her head against your hand – it definitely means she wants even more attention.

Read more
How to retrieve your pet bird on the same day they escape the home
Lorikeet sits on a branch outside

When it comes to a flyaway bird, time is of the essence. You need to act quickly to try and get your sweet pet back into a safe environment. After all, the great outdoors is full of predators, cars, and bad weather that will quickly have your bird wondering why he ever left at all. That's good news, though, as it means he will want to come home just as much as you will be trying to coax him. Food, a soft perch, and warmth await him. But overeagerness can also scare off your feathered friend, so you need to approach his rescue attempt carefully. If you find your pet bird flying away, try these techniques to return him safe and sound. 

Bringing the cage near the bird
It's important not to chase your bird since you may spook him even though he knows you just want to help. The outdoors can be a scary place for a bird who's gotten used to your quiet and peaceful house. That means you might startle him in this situation. Instead, take his cage outside right away and set it down near where you've spotted him or in the vicinity of your yard or porch. Then back away slowly and wait for him to enter. Some cages have internal springs that allow you to secure him inside once he climbs in. Otherwise, sit back and wait for this cutie to hop back in, and then shut the door quickly without scaring him into retreat.

Read more