Having interesting and beautiful birds in your yard or garden can be a pleasant sight. For bird watchers, a window mounted bird feeder is likely the best choice. Having the right window bird feeder can keep them coming to visit over and over again, and allow you to watch them up close without startling them.
If you’re shopping around for the best window bird feeder, read on as we give you the six best window bird feeder reviews. No time to read the whole guide? Check out the quick comparison table below. And continue reading below the reviews for a buyer’s guide to help you know what to look for to find the best bird feeder.
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Six of the Best Bird Feeders on the Market
1. Nature’s Hangout Window Bird Feeder w/ Suction Cups – The Best Overall Window Feeder
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If you’re someone who puts quality above everything else, then consider this bird feeder. The Nature’s Hangout Window Bird Feeder is a great size and the best window bird feeder overall. It has great ultimate visibility that let’s you watch birds dine on yummy seeds while you’re sitting down to dine.
Suction cups are always a concern when it comes to window feeders. This bird feeder with strong suction cups. These suction cups won’t come off your window easily. Even squirrels can sit on the feeder and the suction cup holds up like a champ. If the suction cups ever get old and don’t work as well as they used to, you can always replace them with new suction cups. In other words, you won’t have to worry about the feeder falling and spilling seeds all over the place.
2. Birdious Tube Window Bird Feeder – The Best Feeder to Attract Multiple Breeds of Birds
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The Birdious window feeder is a great, top-quality bird feeder that will make bird watching a breeze. It’s a good size — not too small and not too big. The design makes it pretty much squirrel-proof and the three suction cups are extremely sturdy and hold the feeder to the window with ease.
The seed tray is divided into three sections but only has holes for drainage in one section. The manufacturer suggests using a section for water, but this could pose a problem. When seeds get wet, they tend to mold (which is why one of the sections has drain holes). Having water around them constantly increases the chances of the seeds molding dramatically, which increases the risk of birds getting sick. We suggest only using the sections for food.
Perky-Pet Birdscapes Clear Window Feeder 348 – The Best Feeder for Kids / Low Cost Bird Feeder
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While this bird feeder isn’t specifically labeled for kids, there are a few reasons why it makes a great gift for them. First, it’s very inexpensive so you don’t have to worry about wasted money if your kids break it. Another reason is that it’s lightweight so kids can handle the feeder easily. It’s small and easy to hang with the suction cups, so this makes it easy for kids to use and/or move around.
The downside to this feeder is that it’s poorly manufactured. The feeder is made in two halves and the seam can split down the middle causing the seeds to fall out. If you drop the bird feeder, it could break completely. Stressing the fact that this is a very cheap bird feeder, always remember that you get what you pay for. If you’re looking for quality, this is not be the best choice but if you’re looking for a low price, this would be a good choice.
Wellted 2-in-1 Bird Feeder – The Best Value Feeder
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This house shaped bird feeder is great because there are two ways you can use it. It can be used as a window feeder or you can hang it and use it as a hanging “tray style” feeder. As a window feeder, it comes with four strong suction cups. The open design on both sides allows you the maximum visibility you can have with a bird feeder so you don’t miss one detail about your feathered friends.
As a hanging bird feeder, you can slip it right onto a tree branch. It has a perch on both sides so multiple birds can feed at once. The feed area is divided into two sections, so you’ll be able to attract different types of birds (this holds true whether it’s hanging or on a window). The acrylic is smooth so it isn’t easy for squirrels to grip onto it, making it squirrel-resistant (not squirrel-proof).
5. Coveside Conservation Products Panoramic Feeder w/Mirror – The Best Feeder for Close-up Viewing
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If you like to get really close to your flying visitors, this could be a great feeder for you to consider. The Coveside Panoramic feeder is unique because it features a mirrored, one-way panel that lets you see the birds, but the doesn’t let the birds see you. This means that you can get really close to them and they won’t get startled and fly away. One downside of the two way mirror is that it isn’t completely clear when viewing the birds. Also keep in mind that this is not a good bird feeder for apartments with difficult window openings.
Traditional window feeders simply stick to a closed window. This one is different. It is actually placed between an open window and the window frame like an air conditioner. It spans the width of the window (from 26 to 36 inches) and curves inward. This gives the illusion of having a bird feeder inside of your home without having the actual birds (and the mess they make) inside your home.
BirdMaster Acrylic Circular Window Bird Feeder – The Best Designed Window Bird Feeder
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This is a very interesting-looking bird feeder because it’s circular and can be filled all the way to the top. It’s very inviting for birds with a perch right in the middle. They can comfortably land and eat their fair share while you get the pleasure of viewing them from your window.
While this bird feeder is of great quality, there are a couple of flaws in the design. For one, the opening that the birds eat from is directly below the perch, so it can get covered with empty hulls which means that birds won’t come to eat. Another flaw is that the opening and perch are small, so it can only accommodate one bird at the time. While these aren’t exactly deal breakers, they are things you should be aware of before investing in this feeder.
Buyer’s Guide to Window Bird Feeders
Bird feeding has been a favorite pastime for centuries. One of the earliest known accounts of bird feeding was a monk named Saint Serf of Fife. He wrote about feeding a pigeon to tame it. Over time, bird feeding became not only enjoyable, but sometimes necessary. In fact, in 1994, Congressman John Porter recognized how difficult it was for birds to survive harsh winters because of a lack of natural foods. He designated February as “National Bird Feeding Month” in an effort to encourage people to feed birds.
Types of Bird Feeders
There are many types of bird feeders and all of them have their own specific advantages. The best one for you really depends more on personal preference than any other factor, but certain ones could be better suited for certain environments. Here are descriptions of some of the most popular bird feeders.
Hopper Feeders
Hopper feeders are one of the most popular styles of bird feeders. Hoppers have a central container that you fill with bird food and the food is then distributed through ports or a feeding area. Hoppers are usually hung, but can be attached to a stand or a pole. Hoppers can have quite a few different designs available. Some of the more popular ones are shaped like a bird house.
Tube Feeders
Tube feeders are similar to hoppers because they have a central container that the seeds are stored in. The difference is that birds will feed directly through these containers, which will usually be made of some sort of metal mesh-like material. Tube feeders can be a bit messier than hoppers because the seeds tend to fall out of the holes in the mesh.
Tray/Platform Feeders
These are the most basic type of feeders. It is exactly what the name says — a tray that you fill with seeds and place outside. These trays can be attached to a stake or pole, or affixed to a window frame. The open design attracts many different types of birds of multiple sizes. They are also great for seeds of all sizes, including sunflower seeds. The downside is that since it has an open design, it attracts any animal that likes seeds, including pesky squirrels and chipmunks. Birds also tend to hop around in the seeds so this can spread germs.
Window Feeders
Window feeders, like the ones in the above reviews, are great for people who like to watch birds up close. Tray feeders can also be window feeders, but when most people think about window feeders they think about the ones that attach to the glass with suction cups. Like tray feeders, window feeders are generally open designed so you will have the same disadvantages as you would with tray feeders.
FAQ – Bird Feeders
- How do I know the best location for my bird feeder? The perfect location for your bird feeder will depend on the birds’ comfort. Keep in mind that birds like to be hidden from predators when they eat, so putting them near trees could be a good idea. Putting them near trees may unfortunately allow squirrels to have access, so you may want to consider a squirrel-proof container.
- Can I use my bird feeder year-round? This depends on your location and surrounding environment. There are some precautions you may want to take in the summer. If you live in an area near black bears, a feeder could attract them to your yard in the summer. Birds may also eat less seeds in the summer since insect activity will increase, so you may want to use less seeds than in winter.
- How often should I clean the bird feeder? If your bird feeder successfully attracts a lot of birds, you should clean the bird feeder at least once a month. Large flocks of birds could mean a lot of bird waste and this can spread salmonella among the birds. When you clean the bird feeder, make sure you let it dry thoroughly so that the seeds don’t mold when you fill the feeder up.
Final Tips
Bird feeders can be fun to have around as long as you take care of them and keep them clean. Quality is important because you don’t want them to constantly break, and many bird feeders come with a very good warranty.
We have offered you six great choices for the best bird feeder. The good thing is that you don’t only have to choose one! You could choose one for your front yard and a different one for your backyard. Whatever you decide, use the information we’ve provided to choose the best bird feeder for you.
image: David Davies
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