Do you find birds delightful? Love getting a close look at their pretty colors? Or perhaps the sound of birds chirping relaxes you? Placing a bird feeder in your yard can make enjoying feathered friends much easier. Bird feeders also make terrific gifts for grandparents or friends who are nature lovers.
Whether buying a bird feeder for yourself or as a gift, you want it to be safe and effective at attracting birds. To help you shop for bird feeders, we consulted bird excerpts about what to look for in a bird feeder and what to fill it with. We also asked them for the bird feeders they liked most.
SKIP AHEAD What are the different types of bird feeders? | How we picked the best bird feeders | The best bird feeders of 2025
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How we picked the best bird feeders
Beyond type, there are a few other things experts say you should consider when shopping for a bird feeder. Here are the other characteristics they recommend looking for:
- Waterproof: If your bird food gets wet, it can spoil and poison the birds, says Giselle Pemberton, an avid birder and wildlife photographer. So, it’s important to make sure your birdfeeder is waterproof.
- Easy to clean: “Feeders that are simple and easy to clean are great,” says Emma Greig, a project leader at Project FeederWatch at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca, New York. “Ideally they don’t have decorations or cervices where birds could get themselves stuck, or where bacteria can hide when you are trying to clean them.”
- Capacity: It will be a pain to constantly fill your feeder. “So, make sure your feeder holds an ample reservoir of seed,” says Winston.
The best bird feeders of 2025
We asked experts for some of their favorites to round up the best bird feeders. We also used the guidance they gave above to source highly-rated options.
Youvip Bird Feeder
“I’ve used a hopper feeder hung from a shepherd’s hook in my front yard,” says Pemberton. “It’s great from smaller birds.” This one has a 360-degree perch so that birds can fully encircle it. The feeder also has a hood to keep the birdseed dry and the hooper is wide, making it easy to get your hand in it to clean.
Type: Hopper | Material: Metal and plastic | Capacity: 2.35 pounds
Kingsyard Platform Bird Feeder
This platform feeder (meaning you just spread birdseed on the base) is a nice option because it has a plastic dome to protect the food from getting wet if it rains. You can raise the dome to allow bigger birds to access the food or lower it to attract only smaller birds. Another smart feature: The dome spins and doesn’t stay stable, so squirrels can’t find steady enough footing to steal the food if they land on it. As for what types of birds you can attract, Grieg says she likes platform feeders because they attract a wide variety of birds, including finches, doves and sparrows.
Type: Platform | Material: Plastic | Capacity: 2.5 pounds
Solution4Patio Cedar Bird Feeder
“I recommend a good-sized wood hopper feeder that is sturdy, lets you see the seed reservoir, allows room for plenty of visitors, and gives you a clear view from wherever you’ll be watching,” says Winston, who notes that a deluxe version (like this one) will also have a built-in suet feeder to attract even more birds. The suet feeder is on the sides of this one and everything is covered by a cedar roof.
Type: Hopper and suet | Material: Wood | Capacity: 5.18 pounds
Netvue Birdfy Smart Bird Feeder
Want an even closer look at the birds visiting your feeder? Consider one with a built-in camera. These have become very popular in recent years, notes Winston. This one connects to your WiFi and sends footage straight to an app on your phone. It takes pictures and videos of birds and can help you identify the types of birds you are seeing. It has a perch for birds and a roof to prevent water from spoiling your bird seed.
Type: Hopper | Material: Plastic | Capacity: 1.5 liters
Gray Bunny Thistle & Nyjer Bird Feeder
This Nyjer feeder has 16 feeding holes, allowing you to attract many birds at once. The base and lid are made from metal, as are the 8 different perches surrounding the feeder. The tube, which holds 2 pounds of seeds, is made from a durable plastic and there is a heavy-duty steel hanger at the top so you can hang it from a hook.
Type: Nyjer | Material: Plastic and metal | Capacity: 1.5 liters
Kingsyard Double Suet Bird Feeder
Another option from Kingsyard, this feeder allows you to place suet inside for birds to peck away at. The gridded metal cage allows birds to grab on and steady themselves as they eat. The cage fits two suet cakes and has a metal roof to keep things dry. This feeder comes in four colors — black, blue, red and brown.
Type: Suet | Material: Metal | Capacity: 2 suet cakes
Sweetfull Solar Bird Feeder
This option is a bird feeder and lamp in one. It glows at night thanks to a solar power charger located on the top. It is made of durable metal and has cutout details that are both pretty and functional. They let you see how much seed you have left in the tube. It also has a small overhang to protect birds and the seed from rain.
Type: Hopper | Material: Metal | Capacity: 2 pounds
Frequently Asked Questions
Are bird feeders safe for birds?
In general, bird feeders are safe for birds as long as they are cleaned regularly to prevent bacteria from building up. “Clean your feeders every two weeks with a solution made from nine parts water to one part bleach,” says Winston. And make sure your seed mixture remains dry to avoid mold growth, which can also harm birds.”
Consistency is also important, especially during colder months. “If you are feeding birds in the wintertime, keep doing so consistently till warmer weather returns, as your birds may become accustomed to your feeders and have trouble finding food when very cold or snowy weather hits,” adds Winston.
Finally, try to avoid putting your bird feeders near glass windows. “Birds often mistake reflections of greenery in glass for the real thing and collide at full speed,” says Winston. If you do want to place your feeder near a window, opt for a window with a screen, which will obscure reflections.
What should you put in your bird feeder?
Once you have your bird feeder, you’ll want to fill it with something that will attract birds. “Seeds can be bird-specific,” says Pemberton. “Sunflower seeds, especially the black-oil type, are eaten by most birds because they are easy to open. Safflower seeds, cracked corn, peanuts and millet are good as well for many types of birds.” Winston notes that anything with peanuts will be especially popular with woodpeckers and jays. “Just avoid mixtures that contain milo as a main ingredient,” Winston says. “This seed, which is used as a low-cost filler, is ignored by many birds.”
How do you keep squirrels out of bird feeders?
Squirrels are cute, but they can also be crafty little bird food thieves — the same goes for raccoons. “Keep your feeder away from overhanging branches and place them at least seven feet away from other jumping-off points to help prevent squirrels from being able to get to it,” says Winston. Another option is to place a baffle above your feeder. This device (usually a large plastic dome that swivels) can make it difficult for squirrels to find steady footing on your feeder. Finally, to help protect your birds from potential predators (like cats), Winston suggests placing your feeder at least five feet off the ground.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Tod Winston is a birding guide and urban biodiversity specialist with the New York City Audubon.
- Giselle Pemberton is an avid birder and wildlife photographer.
- Emma Greig is a project leader at Project FeederWatch at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca, New York
Why trust NBC Select?
Bethany Heitman is a contributor at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers beauty, home and lifestyle. For this story, she interviewed three bird experts on what to look for in a bird feeder.
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