Types of Bird Feeders

Bird feeders–also sometimes called bird tables–are structures or devices designed to provide food for birds. They are typically installed outside the house in the yard, although they may also be installed in a porch or a tree.

The effectiveness of a particular bird feeder in attracting large numbers of birds is due to a number of different factors, among them: the location, the actual presence of birds in the area and the type of feed that they provide. This last factor is particularly important, given that different species of birds will have different preferences when it comes to food.

Bird feeders can be an effective enticement for birds of many types, and the presence of one in the home provides owners with an ideal opportunity for bird watching that they would not normally be able to enjoy otherwise. A fairly recent trend today is the installation of webcams focused on bird feeders, which broadcast 24 hours a day and allow bird enthusiasts all over the world a glimpse into their activities.

As simple as the design of bird feeders may seem, there are actually a few different types commonly used. The most popular of these by far is the seed feeder, which can vary in complexity from the simplest trays to the more complicated hoppers and feeding tubes. The most common types of seeds used in these designs are sunflower seeds, with some owners favoring mixed varieties. These feeds tend to attract songbirds such as finches, cardinals, and chickadees.

Hummingbird feeders, as you may have guessed from the name, are designed primarily to attract hummingbirds. It does this by providing hummingbirds with a sugar solution through a feeding tube. Some bird feeder owners have taken to infusing some red dye in the sugar solution in an attempt to entice hummingbirds. This practice is totally unnecessary however, as many hummingbirds will typically find the feeder if you leave it out long enough. Furthermore, the dye can actually be harmful to hummingbirds, so if you must resort to color, it would be better to choose a colored feeder in the first place.

Oriole feeders are another type of bird feeder designed to attract a specific type of bird. These are most often colored orange and are designed to attract New World orioles with either an artificial nectar solution or bits of fruit…or even grape jelly!

Finally a suet feeder is designed to provide insect eating birds such as woodpeckers, nuthatches and flickers with a block of suet from a metal cage like structure.