The 15 Best Bird Feeders to Attract Cardinals, Hummingbirds, Finches, and More to Your Yard

Best Overall

Audubon Caged Tube Bird Feeder

View On Amazon $59 View On Walmart $53 View On Home Depot $51

This clever feeder allows the smaller songbirds in your yard to eat their fill while keeping out squirrels and large birds, thanks to a metal cage structure surrounding the feeding tube.

It’s constructed of strong, chew-proof, and impact-resistant steel with a removable cap that allows effortless cleaning and refilling. It securely locks into place once you’re done to prevent unwanted guests from stealing the seed. 

Visiting birds can rest on sturdy perches positioned underneath the four reinforced feeding ports to enjoy seed from the tube in the center of the cage.

Inside the feeder, a baffle helps direct seed to the bottom of the container so it empties out completely and prevents seed from getting stuck and growing stale or moldy over time. You’ll be able to fit a wide variety of birdseed inside—just make sure you’re adding seed for birds small enough to fit through the cage. 

With a capacity to hold 1.25 pounds of birdseed at a time, the Audubon squirrel-resistant cage feeder isn’t as large as other options on our list, so you’ll need to refill it more often. However, this smaller feeder size can also help prevent the seed inside from getting stale since you’ll be replenishing it more frequently. 

Product Details: Size: 9 x 9 x 15.5 inches | Seed Capacity: 1.25 pounds | Seed Types: Any | Number of Feeding Ports: Four | Material: Powder coated steel | Squirrel-Proof: Yes

Best Budget

Perky-Pet Bird Feeder

View On Amazon $17

You don’t need to splurge on an expensive feeder to attract your neighborhood songbirds—this colorful option is big enough to hold multiple feathered friends at a time while remaining easy to assemble, clean, and fill. It’s tasteful enough to work in any yard or garden, and it’s sturdy enough to stay outside year-round.

Durably constructed of metal with a rust-proof powder finish, The Perky-Pet feeder can hold up to a full pound of mixed or black oil sunflower seed, so you won’t need to refill it every time you go outside.

There’s a plastic base and perches make it easy to clean thoroughly, preventing mold or debris from building up inside. Just remove the caps, take out the perches and base, and you can get into the tube for a good scrubbing inside and out.

Keep in mind that this bird feeder isn’t squirrel-proof. To prevent squirrels from jumping onto the feeder and stealing all the birdseed, you’ll need to hang it at least 10 feet away from nearby trees, shrubs, or other structures.

Product Details: Size: 5.5 x 5.5 x 17.6 inches | Seed Capacity: 1 pound | Seed Types: Mixed or Black Oil Sunflower Seed | Number of Feeding Ports: Six | Material: Metal | Squirrel-Proof: No

Best for Cardinals

Droll Yankees Bird Feeder

View On Duncraft.com

Since the Northern Cardinal doesn’t migrate, this bird is a colorful companion you can spot in your backyard all year long—assuming it can find its favorite food nearby. If you’re interested in attracting this species, it’s best to find a bird feeder that meets their specific needs. 

Since they are medium-sized birds with full, broad chests, cardinals are naturally drawn to large platforms. They need plenty of space to land, perch comfortably, and feed without twisting their heads, which isn’t possible with most tube feeders. 

We chose the Droll Yankees Cardinal Platform Bird Feeder as the best bird feeder for cardinals, since it has an ample 13-inch platform for landing and a spacious tray that holds up to a pound of seed at a time.

The tray is also covered by an adjustable 15-inch dome, which helps to shelter the seed and birds beneath from falling rain or snow. Additionally, the feeder has drainage holes on the bottom for any water that does happen to make its way onto the seed, helping to prevent mold from growing on the feeder. 

Plus, its strong, crack-resistant plastic construction is likely to withstand winter and other harsh weather. We wish it looked a little more decorative, since the plastic exterior isn’t as attractive as other options on our list.

The Droll Yankees Cardinal Platform Feeder is also backed by the company’s lifetime warranty, which covers defective parts or any damage caused by squirrels. 

Product Details: Size: 15.5 x 15.5 x 17 inches | Seed Capacity: 1 pound | Seed Types: Any seed desired, can also hold fruit, mealworms, and suet | Number of Feeding Ports: N/A | Material: Plastic | Squirrel-Proof: No

Best Tube Feeder

Droll Yankees Yankee Flipper Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder

View On Amazon $152 View On Wayfair $191

This brilliant tube feeder is designed to allow birds to eat freely while sending squirrels packing as soon as they hit the perch. This is thanks to a motorized feeder, which spins rapidly once activated by the weight of a squirrel jumping onto it. The spinning motion “flips” squirrels off the feeder, causing them to move on to other, easier food sources. 

The Droll Yankee Flipper Squirrel-Proof feeder’s tube is 21 inches long and 4.75 inches in diameter, and it’s capable of holding up to 5 pounds of seed, so you won’t need to constantly refill it. It's designed to ensure that the seeds in the tube flow downward into the feeding ports rather than getting stuck inside, which keeps birds coming back for more. 

It also comes with rechargeable batteries that hold their charge for an impressive amount of time, generally only needing a recharge a few times per year. We wish there was a way to tell when the batteries—which power the spinning motion of the feeder—are running low, since the device will simply stop working when the battery runs out. Instead, you’ll have to manually check the battery. 

Crafted of durable metal and UV-stabilized plastic, the feeder can stand up to the elements including direct sunlight and rain while keeping its color true and its structures intact. 

Product Details: Size: 8.5 x 8.5 x 28.5 inches | Seed Capacity: 5 pounds | Seed Types: Any | Number of Feeding Ports: Four | Material: Metal and Plastic | Squirrel-Proof: Yes

Best for Hummingbirds

LaElvish Garden Hummingbird Feeder

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If you want to attract hummingbirds to your yard, a hummingbird feeder (or several) is the best way to view the tiny avian wonders. The best hummingbird feeder is the editor-approved LaElvish Garden Hummingbird Feeder, which is available in 11 stunning colors.

The hand blown glass feeder is both functional and beautiful. You can place it in your yard or hang it from a hook on your porch. It can hold up to 28 ounces of nectar, so you don’t have to worry about filling it every morning. The leak proof feeder features four feeding ports that each have an individual perch for hummingbirds to sit on while they feast.

With a wide mouth, it’s easy to clean and refill this feeder. To clean, simply disassemble and wash with warm water and a mild soap. Additionally, an ant moat is included with the purchase to help prevent ants from stealing your birds precious nectar. 

Although the feeder is glass and fairly see-through, it can be difficult to see exactly how much nectar is left in the feeder due to the elaborate glass blown designs. However, because it’s durable, easy to clean, and leakproof, this is the best hummingbird feeder. 

Product Details: Size: 6.3 x 6.37 x 9.44 inches | Seed Capacity: Up to 28 ounces of nectar | Seed Types: N/A | Number of Feeding Ports: Four | Material: Glass | Squirrel-Proof: Not listed

Best for Windows

Nature's Hangout Window Bird Feeder

View On Amazon $25 View On Natureshangout.com

This see-through unit is the best window bird feeder for cozy indoor viewing of your neighborhood songbirds. Crafted of a thick and hardy clear acrylic, the Nature’s Hangout Window Bird Feeder mounts on any clean window without a screen on your home, giving an optimal view of wild birds anytime they’re visiting.

It’s also equipped with six strong suction cups which allow you to easily mount and remove whenever you want without damaging your windows. According to the manufacturer, they’re even strong enough to stay up in extreme weather. 

Viewers can enjoy the likes of finches, bluebirds, cardinals, chickadees, sparrows, and more as they dine on up to four cups of bird seed in the feeder’s large removable tray.

You’ll even be able to put out two separate types of bird seed at a time to attract multiple bird types, since the feeder has a plastic divider in the center. Plus, it all stays dry because of the plastic roof and built-in drainage holes on the bottom which filter out rain and other moisture.

As an added bonus, the feeder’s proximity to the window helps to break up the window’s reflection, which is helpful in preventing birds from colliding with the glass. Just keep in mind that this window bird feeder is more difficult to clean than other products on this list; the tight corners make it difficult to scrub bird seed and grime out of the container. 

Product Details: Size: 12 x 4 x 5 inches | Seed Capacity: 4 cups | Seed Types: Any | Number of Feeding Ports: N/A | Material: Clear Acrylic | Squirrel-Proof: No

Best for Finches

Perky-Pet Finch Bird Feeder

View On Amazon $25

Finches love the circular mesh surface of this feeder’s reservoir since they can grasp onto the sides or perch on the bottom ledge while snacking on the seeds inside.

This feeder is substantial, too; it holds up to 1.5 pounds of thistle seed, sparing you from constantly refilling it, and the interior is designed to keep seed flowing down through all the tiers of the tube and avoid problematic clogs. Drainage holes ensure that water won’t collect inside, and the dome-shaped top helps protect the seed inside from being damaged by moisture. 

Sturdily built, it’s constructed of 100% metal and wire mesh with a rust-resistant coating, so it’s designed to withstand damage from weather and squirrels or other pests. In fact, the small metal holes make it more difficult for squirrels to get to the seeds, causing them to avoid your bird feeder and search for food that’s easier to access. 

The wide opening at the top of the Perky-Pet Thistle Seed finch feeder allows you the space to clean it thoroughly and fill it without making a mess. Because of its bright yellow hue, this option is very attractive to finches, and the three-tiered system evenly distributes feed throughout the entire tube so it can feed multiple birds at a time.

We wish the feeder’s tray at the bottom was larger, because it’s not big enough to catch all of the loose seed that falls out. Since this seed ends up on the ground, it can attract squirrels, chipmunks, and other pests who could scare finches away. 

Product Details: Size: 7.3 x 7.3 x 17.8 inches | Seed Capacity: 1.5 pounds | Seed Types: Thistle seed | Number of Feeding Ports: N/A | Material: Metal and wire mesh | Squirrel-Proof: No

Best with Camera

Netvue Birdfy Feeder AI

View On Amazon $200 View On Walmart $250 View On Netvue.com $300

If you’ve ever seen a colorful bird in your yard and wanted to learn more, you’ll love the Netvue Birdfy Smart Bird Feeder Camera. Easy to install, this feature-rich feeder cam does plenty to keep bird lovers informed and entertained. 

When an avian guest lands on the seed tray, this feeder uses artificial intelligence to automatically identify the bird from its library of over 6,000 bird types. It then sends you a notification (which you can turn off or on as you wish), letting you know about the visitor, its species, and just about anything else you’d like to know about it.

he feeder’s built-in camera will show you live video of the bird in 1080P resolution, and you can zoom in to see the details of its feathers or face or listen to it with the microphone.

You can even shoo away pests with the voice feature or by activating built-in sirens and lights. Plus, the feeder’s camera works at night, offering clear and distinct in-color night vision of the birds in your yard. 

The feeder cam is weather-resistant enough for outdoor use due to its IP65 water-resistance rating, although it’s not built to withstand extreme weather conditions, so we recommend bringing it inside during heavy rain.

Its extra-long battery life lasts for around a month, and it’s conveniently rechargeable, and can even be solar-powered as well. This feeder cam comes with a 1 year warranty and live support offered 24/7. If you’d like it without AI, there’s also a Lite version for a little cheaper.

Product Details: Size: 10.23 x 9.64 x 11.22 inches | Seed Capacity: 50 ounces | Seed Types: Any | Number of Feeding Ports: N/A | Material: Plastic | Squirrel-Proof: No

Best Ground

Gray Bunny Ground Bird Feeder Tray

View On Amazon $20

This feeder appeals to a variety of bird species, particularly those that normally feed off the ground. Available in two sizes, it works in numerous places where you may not have space to hang a feeder, such as patios, decks, lawns, and gardens. It’s also built durably of rust-resistant heavy-duty steel to withstand all kinds of weather without getting damaged.

The ground feeder’s tightly woven mesh wire bottom is great for holding a wide assortment of seed mixes with grains as small as millet without falling through and making a mess. It’s also well-ventilated, which is helpful in draining water from the tray and keeping the seed fresh and dry.

To keep the tray balanced, this feeder has two sturdy bars that curve underneath the feeder and slightly elevate it off the surface below, which helps prevent seeds from sprouting.

If the bottom of this feeder gets messy, just flip it over and rinse it off with the yard hose. Be sure it’s completely dry before refilling it and placing it outdoors for the birds.

Since this is a ground feeder, there’s no way to prevent squirrels or other animals from stealing the seed you put out. The presence of these creatures may scare away the songbirds you intend to attract, so plan to have other ways of deterring squirrels if you plan to purchase a ground bird feeder.

Product Details: Size: 7 x 7 x 2 inches | Seed Capacity: 1.41 pounds | Seed Types: Any, millet is the smallest that won’t fall through | Number of Feeding Ports: N/A | Material: Steel mesh | Squirrel-Proof: No

Best Platform

Solution4Patio Platform Bird Feeder

View On Amazon $20

A hit with sparrows and doves especially, platform feeders (also called tray feeders) are the simplest type of feeder to incorporate into your yard, and they’re the best bird feeders for birds that prefer an open space when choosing their seed. Most birds love sifting through seed on a platform feeder, depending upon the kind of food you have out for them. 

This platform bird feeder offers top of the line features and an unobstructed view of the birds as they perch to eat. We like that it’s weather resistant and strong enough to hold up to 10 pounds at a time, so even if a squirrel manages to hop up on the tray, the entire device won’t break.

In addition to its durability, there are two large feeding areas for food, which is ideal for separating seed, nuts, suet, or mealworms. You can also use it to hold fresh fruits and attract birds this way. 

Its wide open tray gives birds plenty of room to land and take off while remaining visible to you from far away. This allows you to set up the feeder wherever you have space in your yard without having to grab a pair of binoculars.

The feeder is remarkably easy to clean and refill—simply scrub it with a damp cloth and then pour out new seed once the feeder is dry. Shoppers can also take their pick on how to use the feeder—hang it the attached wire hanger, mount it on a pole, or simply put the feeder on the ground.

In addition to its rust-proof hardware, the base is covered in a rust-free mesh to encourage drainage, keeping the seed dry and fresh. It also comes with a three-year warranty to protect your purchase.

Just keep in mind that platform feeders aren’t the easiest to keep squirrels away from, since they can jump from tree branches or climb up some garden poles. To make this feeder as squirrel-proof as possible, we recommend setting it up at least 10 feet from tree branches. 

Product Details: Size: 12.98 x 12.98 x 13.98 inches | Seed Capacity: 5 pounds | Seed Types: Any | Number of Feeding Ports: None | Material: Pine wood | Squirrel-Proof: No

Best Suet

Nature’s Way Suet Upside-Down Feeder

View On Amazon $21

Especially during the cold winter months, birds need high-fat suet to provide the energy they require to stay warm and hunt for food.

In the wild, birds can peck it from dead animal carcasses, but you can make the task easier for them by providing suet cakes in your own backyard. This upside-down Nature’s Way suet feeder is designed to feed small to medium birds like nuthatches, titmice, woodpeckers, and chickadees while deterring larger, less-agile birds.

Made with the premium quality wood and top notch craftsmanship, this suet feeder will make an impressive addition to your feeding area. We love its high-quality, rustic design that’ll fit right into your yard without creating an eyesore like plastic bird feeders.

The water-resistant cedar construction prevents rotting and insect infestations, while the mesh, screws, and other hardware used are covered with a rust-proof finish. In addition, the hanging cable attached is made of steel and coated with vinyl for additional corrosion and abrasion resistance. 

When your suet gets low, the feeder’s roof lifts up for an easy refill of one standard size suet cake, so it’s easy to replenish. You likely won’t be able to use no-melt suet, since this type of feed tends to have a semi-solid consistency that may cause it to fall through the grating on the bottom. 

Product Details: Size: 8.5 x 8.5 x 4.13 inches | Seed Capacity: One standard-size suet cake | Seed Types: Suet only | Number of Feeding Ports: N/A | Material: Cedar | Squirrel-Proof: No

Best Pole

Sequoia Squirrel-Proof Pole System

View On Amazon $130 View On Etsy $128

Some may argue that the pole you use to hang your bird feeder may be the most important part of your setup. Its strength and durability in spite of troublesome weather and curious non-bird animals like squirrels can make all the difference in your bird-feeding success.

Squirrel Proof’s Sequoia Pole System is equipped with a 27-inch, all-metal squirrel-deterring baffle that moves in all directions when an animal tries to jump on it. It also has four hangers for different types of feeders, allowing you to feed multiple types of birds at the same time. 

Additionally, this pole keeps hanging feeders safely between 5 and 6 feet above ground— and with 4 perfectly placed hangers, you can also offer different feeders and seed/types to invite a more diverse group of feathered friends to your yard.

Placed at least 10 feet from the nearest shrub, tree, or other similar structure, this feeder will be full of happy birds, providing hours of enjoyment for bird lovers.

Constructed of a lightweight, but sturdy steel with an attractive black powder-coated finish and screw-in ground auger, the Sequoia pole is fairly easy to put together without tools of any kind. However, this bird feeder pole is designed to go 2 feet into the ground, which can be tricky to accomplish. 

Product Details: Size: 90 x 1.25 inches | Seed Capacity: N/A | Seed Types: N/A | Number of Feeding Ports: None | Material: Steel | Squirrel-Proof: Yes

Best for Orioles

Birds Choice Oriole Bird Feeder

View On Amazon $48

Crafted of recycled poly lumber, this bright orange device is the best bird feeder for attracting orioles. Orioles can enjoy their preferred fare of jelly, orange halves, or mealworms in this multi-function, sturdily-constructed feeder.

Its vibrant orange color will first attract the birds, and the buffet of their favorites will keep them coming back. The feeder’s jelly cups hold up to three ounces of either grape jelly or mealworms, and the two pegs provided present them with fresh orange halves for a bit of additional variety. 

Since the foods it’s designed to hold are definitely sticky, we’re glad that the feeder’s cups can be removed for easy washing and refilling. The clear acrylic roof helps to keep rain off the fruit and out of the cups, preventing water from accumulating or mold from growing.

This feature also allows the colorful vittles to be seen by orioles passing overhead. You may find that this feeder attracts more than just orioles, since finches, bluebirds, woodpeckers, grosbeaks, and other birds will likely enjoy these snacks, too. 

Note that while orioles can be fed mealworms year-round, the protein-packed treats are best offered to these birds during early summer or late fall into early winter. Living, juicy mealworms are known to be a top choice for bluebirds feeding their young as well. 

While the bright orange color of this feeder is great for attracting beautiful birds, it’s not the prettiest to look at in your yard. The vibrant hue may not match your existing patio and garden decor. 

Product Details: Size: 12.5 x 7.5 x 7.38 inches | Seed Capacity: 2 cups | Seed Types: N/A | Number of Feeding Ports: Two jelly cups and two pegs for orange halves | Material: Plastic | Squirrel-Proof: Not listed

Best Wooden

Audubon Wood Ranch Feeder

View On Amazon $41

This cedar bird feeder should draw a diverse array of birds to your space. With two suet cages and a 5-pound seed capacity, birds with either food preference are likely to flock to this feeder, including the likes of chickadees, nuthatches, finches, cardinals, and woodpeckers. 

You can mount or hang the feeder from a sturdy tree branch, shepherd’s hook, or other type of pole with the attached metal hanger. You’ll be able to see when the seed needs refilling, as the windows on both sides are clear.

Constructed of high quality cedar, the feeder will be more durable and resistant to rotting and insects than other types of wood feeders. It can also hold several different kinds of bird food, since the roof is removable, allowing for mixed, large, and small seed types to be used.

You can even use it to hold suet cakes, if you choose. It’s quite easy to refill and clean when the top is removed, and the bottom is made up of a thin screen to help drain moisture out of the container and keep the seed dry and bacteria-free. 

Product Details: Size: 8.38 x 12.75 x 9.63 inches | Seed Capacity: 5 pounds of mixed seed or two suet cakes | Seed Types: Mixed Seeds and suet | Number of Feeding Ports: Four | Material: Cedar | Squirrel-Proof: No