7 Best Bird Feeders of 2023, Reviewed by Experts

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Nothing's more inviting than a snack.

If you like watching birds, there's no need to trek out into the woods with binoculars to try to spot one: A bird feeder in front of a window just might be the answer. Believe it or not, there's a variety of styles to fit different houses or apartments and to attract various types of birds. The Good Housekeeping Institute has been testing, researching and covering all manner of garden items for years, from the best flowers to plant in the fall to essential gardening tools. To help us find the best bird feeders on the market, we interviewed environmental experts from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and senior coordinator of Avian Biology for the National Audubon Society's Migratory Bird Initiative Chad Witko to get their expertise, then we combed through online reviews to suss out the models that have worked best for customers in their own homes.

According to the experts over at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, "Migratory birds are ecologically important, fulfilling many significant roles including pollinating and dispersing seeds of plants that form habitat and food for other species, keeping insect and rodent populations in balance and providing early warnings of environmental contamination." So, not only do you get to enjoy all of the pretty birds when you put out a feeder, you're benefiting the environment too.

No matter what type of feeder you end up with, the most important thing is keeping it clean and safe. "If you engage in feeding birds, there are a few best practices to follow, such as ensuring your feeding station is clean and feeds birds in a way that does not transmit disease, create an attractive nuisance (attracting birds where they may be in conflict with humans), or create a hazardous attractant (attracting birds somewhere they may get injured or killed)," says the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services.

Keep scrolling to the end of this article to find out more on how we chose the best bird feeders and what to look for when shopping for one. For more ways to deck out your outdoor space, check out our guides to the best outdoor furniture picks, best lawn sprinklers and best fire pits.

No matter what species you're looking to bring to your yard, this bird feeder station (with more than 4,500 five-star reviews on Amazon) is equipped with different feeders to lure just about any kind of bird: one suet cage, one tube feeder, a plastic water bowl, one mesh tray, and two free hooks. "For example, birds like jays, doves, grosbeaks, and some sparrows prefer large platform (tray) feeders over hanging types. Suet feeders provide high-energy food in the form of fat for species that don't readily come to seed," says Chad Witko, senior coordinator for the National Audubon Society's Migratory Bird Initiative. A few birds that tend to like suet are woodpeckers and chickadees.

There are prongs at the bottom of the pole to push into the ground for installation, and then you can customize the additions as you like. It's also designed with a squirrel baffle to keep those pesky critters out of your feed. Some reviewers did note that you have to put the baffle high off the ground or it won't be effective.

This feeding station offers some serious bang for your buck with a wire tube feeder, a peanut feeder, a standard tube feeder, a suet feeder, a mesh tray, a water dish and multiple hooks. Even with all of the included feeders hung on the hooks, there's still one extra for hanging another feeder of your choice or something decorative. Stakes make it easy to push into the ground, and you can arrange the feeders however you like. Only thing: There's no included way to deter squirrels from swiping the birds' snacks, so you'll either have to buy a separate squirrel baffle (or your preferred deterrent) or shoo them away yourself.

Pretty and functional, this hummingbird feeder is a breeze to refill so you can keep the little cuties close to your window. The bright color is more than just a bold design choice; it's supposed to simulate the color of nectar and flowers to help attract hummingbirds. (Don't worry if the deep red doesn't fit the vibe of your garden, the feeder also comes in blue and pink.)

The base comes apart for easy cleaning, which is very important since hummingbird feed is pretty much sugar water. The brand claims that the tapered stems on the feeding ports also keep out bees and there's a moat to deter ants from entering. Keep in mind: The brand recommends that the bottle needs to be cleaned gently to prevent messing up the color.

If your feathered friends tend to be on the small side, (say, finches or sparrows), this tube-style feeder has a metal cage around it, preventing bigger birds (and squirrels!) from getting in. (Just be aware that squirrels may be able to access loose seeds at the base.) On the bottom, there's a manual shut-off switch to close off three of the four ports, which prevents the bottom tray from filling up. If you still want seeds in the tray, there's also a switch at the bottom which releases the seeds into the tray. The large polycarbonate tube holds up to 3 pounds of seed, though the brand does note that the type of seed will affect how much can fit in the tube.

As cute as those puffy tails might be, squirrels can be an absolute menace when it comes to bird feeders. Unless there are specific measures in place to keep them out, they will find a way into that feed. This tube-style bird feeder from Brome is weight-activated, so when something heavy enough (i.e. a squirrel) climbs onto the feeder, it forces down a mesh shroud that blocks off the feeding ports — without harming the squirrel. “The mesh design creates plenty of room for air circulation, which should help prevent excess moisture from causing food to go moldy,” adds DiClerico. The mesh also provides birds with another spot to grab onto in addition to the standard four perches. The brand recommends filling with black oil sunflower seeds or safflower seeds, which can attract finches, blue jays and cardinals. It is on the more expensive side, but if you find that squirrels are always up in your feeder's business, chances are you'll make the money back in saved feed.

With 16 small ports and 8 perches, this hanging tube-style feeder is sure to attract tons of birds to your yard. It also has a respectable capacity, holding up to 2 pounds of feed, depending on the type. According to Witko, tube feeders attract small species like finches, especially if they're filled with finch favorites like sunflower seeds or thistle (Nyjer). "This is a good choice for four-season climates, since its powder-coated metal parts will hold up to harsh weather,” says Dan DiClerico, Home Improvement & Outdoor Director at the Good Housekeeping Institute. Though, if it does happen to get damaged, it comes with a one-year warranty. Some reviewers report that larger birds might have a hard time perching on the smaller pegs though.

Ever heard of cat TV? The idea is playing videos of birds and squirrels to give your cat something to watch if they don't go outside. As nice as that idea is, if you don't want your cat watching a screen all day, then something like this window feeder is a fantastic real-life version. Five suction cups stick to the window, the feed tray pulls out for easy cleaning and there are drainage holes at the bottom to help ensure the feed stays dry and safe to eat. Plus, it's completely transparent (aside from the padded ledge) so you can observe birds from multiple angles. According to reviews, the suction cups are plenty sturdy, with just one reviewer noting that it popped off during a bad storm. Only thing: There's no real way that it can keep out squirrels, so you might have to shoo some off.

Here at the Good Housekeeping Institute, we test all kinds of outdoor and garden gear, from the best watering cans, garden hoses and even plant delivery services. While we haven't formally tested bird feeders in the Lab, we've done extensive research into what makes a good bird feeder and spoken to experts at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Audubon Society's Migratory Bird Initiative to find out best practices when feeding local wildlife. We poured over bestsellers and online reviews as well to bring you the top bird feeders.

Bird feeders come in a ton of different shapes, sizes and styles to appeal to an array of native birds.

✔️ Type: The shape and features of a bird feeder can determine what kind of birds you can attract. Seed will entice different birds than fruit and nuts will. If you're interested in drawing a wide variety of species, consider a feeding station that can house multiple types of feeders in one.

✔️ Pest prevention: Unfortunately, the reality of having a bird feeder is also dealing with squirrels eager to steal the bird feed. It's a good idea to look for a feeder that takes some form of measure to keep squirrels out, whether it be a manual switch, a baffle or a weight-triggered barrier.

✔️ Capacity: The amount a feeder can hold determines how often you have to refill it. If you don't want to fill it every single day, then opt for a larger feeder. If you don't mind refilling daily, then you'll be fine with a smaller feeder. No matter what size you go with, make sure the feed stays dry and mold-free to keep the birds healthy and happy.

It depends on whether it's a seed- or nectar-based feeder, but in a nutshell: more often than you think. "Regular bird-feeder cleaning is crucial to maintaining a healthy feeding environment for the birds," says Witko who advises that seed feeders should be cleaned every two weeks or more frequently in hot or humid weather to prevent bacteria growth. As for tray feeders which can cause wet seed that can lead to sprouting or mold, more frequent cleaning necessary. Suet feeders should be cleaned with each refill, while hummingbird feeders require cleaning every few days, especially since they contain a sugar solution that can quickly spoil and become moldy, notes Witko. "Clean immediately if the nectar is cloudy, regardless of how long it has been."

For any type of feeder, Witko recommends using mild soap and water or a 9:1 water-to-bleach solution for sanitization. He also notes that the feeder must be completely dry before refilling to prevent bacterial growth.

The most important factor to keep in mind is choosing a spot that keeps the birds safe. In order to prevent window collisions, Witko recommends positioning the feeder either less than 3 feet from your house or more than ten feet from away. You can also install exterior window screens to make reflective glass more visible to birds. He also suggests growing native plants in your yard that can provide natural nesting environments and attract other types of food like bugs for birds in addition to using a bird feeder.

Abigail Bailey (she/her) has a M.S. in Publishing Digital and Print Media from New York University and writes about a wide range of products for Good Housekeeping from smart blinds to garment bags and dehumidifiers. While birds kind of freak her out, she's always appreciated the first cardinal of the season.

Having written thousands of product reviews and how-to articles on all aspects of home ownership including routine maintenance and major renovations, Dan DiClerico (he/him) brings more than 20 years of industry experience to his role as the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. A one-time roofer and a serial remodeler, Dan can often be found keeping house at his restored Brooklyn brownstone, where he lives with his wife and kids.

Abigail (she/her) covers everything from kitchen gear to mattresses and smart blinds for the Institute, as well as assisting the General Manager in any number of projects. She graduated from Louisiana State University with a B.A. in creative writing, as well as earning her M.S. in publishing digital and print media from New York University. Before GH, she worked at LSU Press and The Southern Review literary magazine. In her free time you can find her quilting, cross-stitching or trying to figure out how to squeeze one more bookshelf in her tiny apartment.

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