Well, it depends. Ask yourself a couple of questions before purchasing a bird feeder. What type of bird am I attempting to attract to my backyard or garden? What is my budget? Do I have any trouble with squirrels in my area? Am I okay with large birds like blue jays, grackles, doves, etc. eating from my bird feeders? The type of bird feeder to purchase will depend upon the answers to these questions.
What type of bird am I trying to attract?
If you were, for example, interested in attracting the American Goldfinch, you would likely be in the market to purchase a tube bird feeder. Not just any tube bird feeder, a nyjer tube feeder. These feeders have small seed ports so the thin nyjer seed does not spill onto the ground below the feeder.
If you wanted to attract woodpeckers, you would want to purchase a suet feeder. There are many different types of suet feeders, but for the most part, a suet feeder is a wire cage that holds a suet cake. Of course, if you are primarily interested in attracting a hummingbird, you would purchase a hummingbird feeder. A hummingbird feeder should be brightly colored and have an adequately sized nectar/sugar water reservoir.
What is my budget?
Like any product, bird feeders come in all shapes, sizes, and price ranges. A nyjer tube feeder can vary in price based upon how well it is constructed, the manufacturer and the length of the tube component. For example, an eight inch tube feeder can be between $12 and $25 while the longer tube feeders can be between $30 and $50.
Suet feeders can be incredibly inexpensive. There are plenty of beautiful birds who feed on suet cakes and a simple suet cage can be no more than $6! Of course there are more expensive and elaborate suet feeders that combine both a hopper/platform seed feeder and a suet feeder. These can range from $30 to $75.
Hummingbird feeders are another type of feeder that can have a significant range in price. You have get a discount, plastic hummingbird feeder for $10 or an attractive hand blown glass hummingbird feeder for $40 to $50.
Do you have any trouble with Squirrels in your Area?
While squirrels are interesting to watch, they have an insatiable appetite for bird seed. This appetite tends to put a strain on your bird food budget. If squirrels are in abundance in your area, consider purchasing a squirrel-proof bird feeder. There are many different squirrel-proof feeders on the market, but the best feeders have a weight activated seed port closing mechanism. An example of a great squirrel-proof bird feeder is the Squirrel Buster Plus.
Do you mind or would you like to attract larger birds to your yard?
If so, consider purchasing a platform feeder. A platform feeder is exactly what is sounds like – a platform. These attract a large number of birds, including some birds that many birders do not want to attract such as Grosbeaks, sparrows, pigeons and starlings. Platform feeders do require some consideration, as there is no cover for the bird or the bird food if it rains or snows.
Select the right bird feeder and it could last you year after year, providing you with plenty of opportunity to feed and enjoy birds.
What type of bird am I trying to attract?
If you were, for example, interested in attracting the American Goldfinch, you would likely be in the market to purchase a tube bird feeder. Not just any tube bird feeder, a nyjer tube feeder. These feeders have small seed ports so the thin nyjer seed does not spill onto the ground below the feeder.
If you wanted to attract woodpeckers, you would want to purchase a suet feeder. There are many different types of suet feeders, but for the most part, a suet feeder is a wire cage that holds a suet cake. Of course, if you are primarily interested in attracting a hummingbird, you would purchase a hummingbird feeder. A hummingbird feeder should be brightly colored and have an adequately sized nectar/sugar water reservoir.
What is my budget?
Like any product, bird feeders come in all shapes, sizes, and price ranges. A nyjer tube feeder can vary in price based upon how well it is constructed, the manufacturer and the length of the tube component. For example, an eight inch tube feeder can be between $12 and $25 while the longer tube feeders can be between $30 and $50.
Suet feeders can be incredibly inexpensive. There are plenty of beautiful birds who feed on suet cakes and a simple suet cage can be no more than $6! Of course there are more expensive and elaborate suet feeders that combine both a hopper/platform seed feeder and a suet feeder. These can range from $30 to $75.
Hummingbird feeders are another type of feeder that can have a significant range in price. You have get a discount, plastic hummingbird feeder for $10 or an attractive hand blown glass hummingbird feeder for $40 to $50.
Do you have any trouble with Squirrels in your Area?
While squirrels are interesting to watch, they have an insatiable appetite for bird seed. This appetite tends to put a strain on your bird food budget. If squirrels are in abundance in your area, consider purchasing a squirrel-proof bird feeder. There are many different squirrel-proof feeders on the market, but the best feeders have a weight activated seed port closing mechanism. An example of a great squirrel-proof bird feeder is the Squirrel Buster Plus.
Do you mind or would you like to attract larger birds to your yard?
If so, consider purchasing a platform feeder. A platform feeder is exactly what is sounds like – a platform. These attract a large number of birds, including some birds that many birders do not want to attract such as Grosbeaks, sparrows, pigeons and starlings. Platform feeders do require some consideration, as there is no cover for the bird or the bird food if it rains or snows.
Select the right bird feeder and it could last you year after year, providing you with plenty of opportunity to feed and enjoy birds.
