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Feeder Types · Best-of Roundup
Best Platform and Tray Bird Feeders (2026)
A platform feeder is a flat, raised surface where seed is spread, and it draws more kinds of birds than almost any other style. We compared four well-known tray feeders on drainage, materials and cleaning, using manufacturer specs from Amazon listings and Project FeederWatch's guidance.
By The Bird Feeder Guide Editorial Team · Research-based; we have not tested these feeders ourselves. How this guide was made: compiled with AI assistance from cited sources and reviewed by the editorial team, with no hands-on testing. Related: types of bird feeders, best hopper feeders, best tube feeders
Updated October 2026 · Specs checked October 2026
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below go to Amazon; we do not show prices because they change.
Can platform feeders be used to offer different types of bird food?
Yes. An open platform can hold more than one kind of food, and the Wild Wings cedar tray listing says its wide opening lets you offer seed, dried fruit, in-shell peanuts or whole corn. Project FeederWatch says trays attract most species of feeder birds, and a tray placed near the ground is most likely to attract juncos, doves and sparrows. Choose one with plenty of drainage holes, and a roof if you want to keep seed dry.
Our four picks include a screen-bottom recycled-plastic tray, a cedar hanging tray with a removable seed tray and a roofed fly-through model. Trays are open, so larger birds and squirrels reach them easily.
Four platform feeders compared
Specs come from each Amazon listing. Check the listing for current price, dimensions and warranty.
Recycled and easy to clean
Birds Choice Recycled Hanging Tray (Small)
A shallow frame with a screened bottom and collapsible steel hanging rods, made from maintenance-free recycled material in the USA. The listing says the patented mesh bottom promotes healthy birds and the tray is easy to clean. Who it is for: people who want a small, low-maintenance hanging tray. Who should skip it: anyone who wants roof protection from rain or snow, as the listing does not mention a roof.
View on AmazonDrainage screen
Woodlink Going Green Platform Feeder (GGPLAT)
Made of up to 90 percent post-consumer recycled plastic with a powder-coated metal screen bottom for drainage and a hanging cable included. The listing describes sturdy, screwed-together construction made in the USA. Who it is for: buyers who want recycled-material construction and a drainage screen. Who should skip it: anyone who wants a roofed feeder, as the listing does not state one.
View on AmazonWidest food range
Wild Wings Cedar Hanging Tray (WWCF23)
A rot-resistant cedar tray whose wide opening suits larger birds such as cardinals and jays and lets you offer seed, dried fruit, in-shell peanuts or whole corn. A removable Fresh Seed tray lifts out for easy cleaning. Who it is for: people who want to offer several foods to larger birds. Who should skip it: anyone with mostly small birds or who wants a roofed feeder, as no roof is stated.
View on AmazonRoofed shelter
Birds Choice Fly-Through Feeder with Roof (Medium)
A poly-lumber platform with a protective roof meant to keep seed safe from rain and snow, plus an easy-fill design. FeederWatch notes that a roofed platform helps keep seed dry. Who it is for: people in rainy or snowy areas who want a platform feeder. Who should skip it: anyone who prefers an open tray for easy access by larger birds (our inference).
View on AmazonHow do you choose a platform feeder?
Four decisions matter more than any single spec.
Drainage
FeederWatch says a platform should have plenty of drainage holes so water does not collect. A screen bottom drains on its own and helps seed stay dry.
Roof or no roof
A roof helps keep seed dry. An open tray is easier to fill and clean but is exposed to rain and snow.
Height
Near the ground, trays are most likely to attract juncos, doves and sparrows, per FeederWatch. Hung higher, they suit a wider mix of feeder birds.
Cleaning
Open trays collect droppings and hulls, so choose one with a removable tray or screen you can scrub and rinse often, and offer small amounts of seed.
Platform feeder questions
What is a platform feeder?
Any flat, raised surface onto which bird food is spread, according to Project FeederWatch. It should have plenty of drainage holes.
Which birds use platform feeders?
Most species of feeder birds. FeederWatch says near the ground a tray is most likely to attract juncos, doves and sparrows.
Are platform feeders squirrel-proof?
No. Open trays are easy for squirrels to reach, so hang them from a pole with a baffle or place them out of jumping range.
Related guides
More guides: Best Window Bird Feeders ·cardinal-friendly feeders
Sources and method
Specs were read from each product's Amazon listing in October 2026. We have not tested these feeders. Corrections: corrections@thebirdfeederguide.com.
Photo: cardinal and house finch at a feeder by Joshua J. Cotten on Unsplash
Last verified October 2026 · Next review January 2027