If you want to attract birds to your yard or balcony, a bird feeder is one of the best ways to do it. Not for feathered friends? Bird feeders make a great gift for nature-loving family members or friends.
To buy bird food for yourself or as a gift, you want safely attracting feathered friends. To help you shop, I talked to a bird expert about what to look for in a bird feeder and what to fill it with. I also asked them for bird feeding recommendations, which I included in the list below.
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Best bird feeders of 2026
“I’ve used a hopper feeder hanging from a shepherd’s hook in my front yard,” says Giselle Pemberton, an avid birder and wildlife photographer. “It’s great for small birds.” This one has a 360 degree perch so the birds can move around it fully. The feeder also has a hood to keep the bird seed dry and the hooper is wide, making it easy to clean.
This platform feeder (which means you just spread the birdseed on the base) has a plastic dome that protects the food from getting wet when it rains. Wet food can grow mold, which is bad for birds. You can raise the dome to allow larger birds to reach the food or lower it to attract only smaller birds. The dome also twists and turns and is not always stable, so squirrels can’t get a firm footing to steal food if they sit on it. As for what types of birds to attract, Emma Greig, project leader at Project FeederWatch at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca, New York, says she likes platform feeders because they attract a variety of birds, including hummingbirds, doves and sparrows.
“I recommend a good solid wood feeder, which allows you to see the seed storage area, allows room for more visitors, and gives you a clear view from wherever you’re going to be watching,” says Tod Winston, bird guide and urban biodiversity specialist with New York City Audubon, who notes that the deluxe version (like this one to attract more birds). Not familiar with suet? It is basically an oil covered seed. The suet feeder is on its sides and everything is covered with a cedar roof.
Do you want to closely monitor the birds that visit your feeder? Consider one with a built-in camera. These have become more popular in recent years, says Winston. This one connects to your WiFi and sends the video directly to an app on your phone. It takes photos and videos of birds and can help you identify the types of birds you see. It also has a bird perch and a roof to prevent water from spoiling your bird seed.
This Nyjer feeder has 16 feeding holes, allowing you to attract many birds at once. The base and lid are made of metal, as are eight separate perches around the feeder. The tube, which holds two kilos of seed, is made of hard plastic and has a heavy metal hanger at the top so you can hang it on a hook.
Another option from Kingsyard, this feeder allows you to place suet inside for the birds to peck at. A metal cage with a grid allows the birds to hold and stabilize as they feed. The cage is the size of two suet cakes and has a metal roof to keep things dry. This server comes in three colors – blue, red and green.
This option is a single bird feeder and lamp. It lights up at night thanks to a solar powered charger located on top. It is made of solid steel and has beautiful and functional cutting details. They allow you to see how much seed is left in the tube. It also has a small overhang to protect the birds and the seeds from the rain.
This acrylic bird feeder hangs from the window, giving you a close-up view of any incoming birds. The hopper feeder is fully covered to protect it from rain and is divided into two, so you can add two different types of bird food. The tray also slides in and out for easy cleaning.
How I chose the best bird feeder
Besides the brand, there are a few other things experts say you should consider when buying a bird feeder. Here are some features they recommend looking at:
- Waterproof: If your bird’s food gets wet, it can spoil and cause bird poisoning, says Pemberton. Therefore, it is important to ensure that your birdfeeder is waterproof.
- Cleaning is easy: “Simple and easy-to-clean feeders are great,” says Greig. Ideally, they don’t have decorations or crevices where birds can get stuck, or where germs can hide when you’re trying to clean them.”
- Power: It will be a pain to keep filling your server. So, make sure your feeder holds plenty of water for the seeds,” says Winston.
What are the different types of bird feeders?
Before you even think about buying a bird feeder, you’ll want to understand that there are many different types on the market. Which one you choose will determine the types of birds you may attract, the type of bird feeders you will need to fill and more. To help you decide which brand is right for you, I asked Winston to break down the different options:
- Hopper feeders: These have a dam that slowly releases seeds from a variety of birds. Some hopper feeders have a built-in mechanism that keeps large birds or squirrels from reaching the seeds.
- Forum feed: This can be as simple as a flat board (with drainage holes) placed over a pole. It is easy to fill and clean, and any type of bird can be visited and seen from all sides. A platform feeder with a roof is a great way to keep your seed mix dry.
- Nyjer feeders: It is mainly used to attract goldfinches, siskins and other colorful birds; these are also called “thistle feeders.” They usually come in the form of a long plastic tube with perches.
- Suet feeders: This type of feeder attracts woodpeckers, nuthatches, wrens, chickadees, and titmice. It can be topped with pureed beef suet, peanut butter or seeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
In general, bird feeders are safe for birds as long as they are cleaned regularly to prevent bacteria from building up. “Clean your feeder every two weeks with a solution made of nine parts water to one part bleach,” says Winston. And make sure your seed mix stays dry to avoid mold growth, which can also harm birds.”
Adaptability is also important, especially during the colder months. “If you feed birds in the winter, keep doing so until the warm weather returns, as your birds may become accustomed to your food and have trouble finding food in the cold or snowy weather,” adds Winston.
Finally, try to avoid placing your bird supplies near glass windows. “Birds often mistake the reflection on the glass for the real thing and collide at high speed,” says Winston. If you want to place your feed near a window, choose a window with a screen, which will hide the display.
You should include bird seed in your feeder, although the type of seed you need will depend on the type of birds you want to attract. “Seeds can go directly to birds,” said Pemberton. “Sunflower seeds, especially the black oil type, are eaten by many birds because they are easy to open. Safflower seeds, cracked corn, peanuts and sorghum are also good for many types of birds.” Winston notes that anything with nuts will be especially popular with woodpeckers and jays. “Just avoid mixes that contain milo as the main ingredient,” says Winston. “This seed, which is used as a cheap filler, is ignored by many birds.”
“Keep your feeder away from overhanging branches and place it at least seven feet from other jumping areas to help prevent squirrels from being able to get to it,” says Winston. Another option is to place a puzzle above your server. This device (usually a large rotating plastic dome) can make it difficult for squirrels to get a firm foothold on your feeder. Finally, to help protect your birds of prey (like cats), Winston suggests placing your feeders at least five feet off the ground.
Meet our wildlife experts
At NBC Select, we work with professionals who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure that all professional advice and recommendations are made independently and without any undisclosed financial conflicts.
- Todd Winston is a bird guide and urban biologist with New York City Audubon.
- Giselle Pemberton is a bird 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?
I’m a commercial editor at NBC Select and a regular reporter who writes about beauty, home and lifestyle. I recently reported on vibrating plates and red light therapy for hair loss. In this story, I interviewed three bird experts about what to look for in bird feeding.
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