Independent, research-based buying guides for backyard birders
Reader-supported · we earn from qualifying Amazon purchases
Home › Feeder Types › Types of Bird Feeders
Feeder Types · Guide
Feeder Types · Guide
Types of Bird Feeders: Which Birds Each One Attracts
Tube, hopper, platform, suet, nyjer and nectar feeders each attract different birds. This guide matches each type to the birds and foods described by the University of Florida IFAS Extension, Project FeederWatch and Audubon, and says who should skip each one.
By The Bird Feeder Guide Editorial Team · Research-based from cited sources; we have not tested these products ourselves
Updated October 2026 · Facts verified October 2026
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links to Amazon are search links; we do not show prices because they change.
Quick Answer
Tube feeders suit small songbirds, hoppers draw the widest range of larger birds such as cardinals and jays, platforms attract ground feeders but need the most cleaning, suet cages draw woodpeckers and nuthatches, and nyjer feeders are mainly for goldfinches and other finches.
Audubon suggests offering sunflower, nyjer and peanuts in separate feeders because different birds prefer different foods. Clean seed feeders every week or two.
Six feeder types: who each is for and who should skip it
Bird lists come from the cited sources. Where they differ we say so.
Small songbirds
Tube feeders
Short perches suit chickadees, titmice, wrens and finches and exclude larger birds such as grackles and jays. Skip it if you want cardinals or jays. UF/IFAS prefers metal perches and ports because squirrels damage them less easily.
Browse tube feeders on AmazonWidest variety
Hopper feeders
Hoppers draw tube visitors plus blue jays, cardinals, grosbeaks and woodpeckers, and hold more seed (UF/IFAS). Skip it if squirrels are a problem, because the large seed supply attracts them.
Browse hopper feeders on AmazonGround feeders
Platform, tray and ground feeding
Set low, platforms draw doves, juncos, sparrows and towhees; set higher they draw many tube and hopper birds. UF/IFAS cites a higher disease-transmission rate because droppings mix with food, so skip this type if you cannot clean it often.
Our platform feeder roundup →Cool-weather fat
Suet cages
Suet cages draw woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, titmice, wrens and bluebirds. Bottom-access cages tend to resist starlings (FeederWatch). Skip plain suet in hot weather because it can turn rancid.
Our suet feeder picks →Finch specialist
Nyjer (thistle) feeders
Nyjer feeders attract American goldfinches, pine siskins and purple finches; most other birds will not use them. UF/IFAS puts the seed at about $1.50 a pound, so skip it if you want variety on a budget.
Our nyjer feeder roundup →Clean often
Hummingbird nectar feeders
Use one part sugar to four parts water with no red dye (FeederWatch). UF/IFAS says to change nectar at least every 3 to 5 days. Skip it if you cannot clean it that often.
Best hummingbird feeders →How we chose, and what the sources leave out
Four notes on method and limits.
Selection criteria
We kept feeder types described by UF/IFAS Extension (July 2025), Project FeederWatch at the Cornell Lab (modified July 2026) and Audubon (2011, modified February 2025).
Where sources differ
UF/IFAS says to wash wooden feeders with hot soapy water, while FeederWatch advises against feeders that cannot be thoroughly washed.
Regional limits
UF/IFAS is Florida-focused, so seasonal notes such as nyjer from October to March may not fit your region.
Not covered
Specific models and prices are not covered, and we did not test any feeder. FeederWatch mentions halved oranges for orioles; the sources do not describe a dedicated oriole feeder.
Feeder type questions
What is the best feeder type for beginners?
Sources suggest hoppers and platforms draw the widest range of species, but platforms need the most cleaning. A hopper is the lower-maintenance start.
Will one feeder attract every bird?
No. Audubon suggests offering sunflower, nyjer and peanuts in separate feeders because different birds prefer different foods.
How often should I clean feeders?
FeederWatch says every week or two; UF/IFAS says at least every 2 to 3 weeks.
Related guides
More guides: Best Bird Feeders by Type · how to clean a bird feeder · feeders woodpeckers prefer · how to attract goldfinches · bird feeders for cardinals
Sources and method
Feeder-type facts come from the three sources below. This guide was compiled with AI assistance from cited expert sources and reviewed by the editorial team. No product was tested by us.
Last verified October 2026 · Next review January 2027