A Visual Guide to Bird Feeder Types

Welcome to Handy Household’s bird feeder guide.

In this guide we will be covering different types of bird feeders, feed and what birds they attract. There are several types of feeders which can be filled with a variety of feed.

Feeders

Seed Feeder

Seed feeders are suitable for seed mixes, sunflower seeds, sunflower hearts and suet bites. They typically have two to six ports where the seed can be eaten and perches to provide a to rest while the birds eat. Many species of garden bird will use them, including the Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Siskin, House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit and more.

There is also a specially made feeder designed for Nyger seed, as the seeds are so small. Nyger seeds typically tend to attract Greenfinches.

Peanut Feeder

Peanut feeders have a mesh design that birds can easily land on. Smaller birds tend to peck at the peanuts while larger birds will pull them through the mesh. You can generally expect to attract tits, Greenfinches, House Sparrows, Siskins and even Great Spotted Woodpeckers if you’re lucky.

Mealworm Feeder

Mealworm feeders look similar to seed feeders, with ports and perches. Mealworms are loved by many birds and are a good source of food for young hatchlings. They typically attract Blue Tits, Great Tits, House Sparrows, Blackbirds, Robins, Starlings and Thrushes.

Fat Ball Feeder

Fat ball feeders come in a variety of different sizes. If the feeder holds a lot of fat balls, you may see them disintegrate and fall on the floor before the birds have chance to eat them. Fat balls usually attract Blue Tits, Great Tits, Dunnocks, Long-tailed Tits and Robins.

Fat ball feeders can also be used with suet rolls, which are a great alternative to fat balls as they have different flavours and varieties.

Suet Cake Feeder

Suet is a much higher energy food than seed mix. Suet typically contains animal fat, if it does it is recommended that you only use it in the winter months, as it can go off quickly. Suet is attractive to woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, jays, and starlings. Wrens, creepers, kinglets, and even cardinals and some warblers occasionally visit suet feeders.

Squirrel Proof Feeders

If you have a lot of squirrels in your area, we would recommend ensuring your bird feeders are squirrel proof. Squirrels can be a nuisance, they will eat through your feed at a very high rate. Unlike birds squirrels will not share, they will chase off birds so they can have the feed to themselves.

Decorative Feeders

Feeders aren’t all dull, here at Handy Household we stock some great decorative feeders. They are typically designed to look like flowers. Simply fill the feeder with any feed of your choice.

Feeding Station

Feeding stations are designed to hold multiple feeders at the same time, usually including a water bath for the birds to bathe and drink from. It’s much easier to hang the feeders on a feeding station, and you can place it wherever you please.

See our full range of Bird Feeds Here!

Back to All Posts