--- title: "Types of Bird Feeders: Which Birds Each One Attracts" url: https://thebirdfeederguide.com/types-of-bird-feeders/ type: post date: 2026-10-15 modified: 2026-10-31 markdown_url: https://thebirdfeederguide.com/types-of-bird-feeders.md author: "admin" --- # Types of Bird Feeders: Which Birds Each One Attracts *By The Bird Feeder Guide Editorial Team ยท Specs verified October 2026* *As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. See our [affiliate disclosure](/affiliate-disclosure/).* The feeder you choose decides which birds show up. This guide matches each common feeder type to the birds and foods that expert sources link to it, and says plainly who should skip it. For our overall picks see [best bird feeders](/best-bird-feeders/). For specific models see our roundups of [tube feeders](/best-tube-bird-feeders/), [hopper feeders](/best-hopper-bird-feeders/), [platform feeders](/best-platform-and-tray-bird-feeders/) and [suet feeders](/best-suet-feeders/). New to feeding birds? Start at [how to attract birds to your yard](/how-to-attract-birds-to-your-yard/). ## How we chose what to include We kept feeder types described by the University of Florida IFAS Extension, Project FeederWatch (Cornell Lab of Ornithology) and Audubon, and we note where they differ. Anything a source does not state is shown as Not stated. No product was tested by us. ## Feeder types at a glance TypeBirds it attracts (per sources)Best food TubeSmall birds such as chickadees, titmice, wrens and finches; short perches exclude larger birds like grackles and jaysMixed seed; nyjer needs tiny ports HopperTube visitors plus blue jays, cardinals, grosbeaks, woodpeckers; large hoppers also draw doves and gracklesSeed, safflower, peanuts Platform / trayLow: doves, juncos, sparrows, towhees. Higher: many tube and hopper birdsSeed, fruit, cracked corn with millet Suet cageWoodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, titmice, wrens, bluebirds, cardinals, jaysSuet cakes Nyjer (thistle)American goldfinch, pine siskin, purple finch; redpollsNyjer only Hummingbird nectarHummingbirds; orioles, cardinals and woodpeckers on larger-port models1 part sugar to 4 parts water Ground / lowSparrows, juncos, doves, towheesMillet, cracked corn ## Each type: who it is for and who should skip it ### Tube feeders **Who it is for:** small songbird fans who want to keep larger birds away. UF/IFAS prefers metal perches and ports because squirrels damage them less easily. **Who should skip it:** anyone hoping for cardinals or jays, which short perches discourage. FeederWatch warns that tubes with ports carry extra risk for House Finch eye disease, so clean them carefully. [Browse tube feeders on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=metal+tube+bird+feeder&tag=tbfg-20). ### Hopper feeders **Who it is for:** people who want to refill less often; hoppers hold much more seed and their roofs protect it. UF/IFAS suggests safflower for cardinals and grosbeaks. **Who should skip it:** anyone fighting squirrels, since the large seed supply attracts them, or anyone who does not want grackles (FeederWatch suggests a small hopper to discourage them). [Browse hopper feeders on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=hopper+bird+feeder&tag=tbfg-20). ### Platform and tray feeders **Who it is for:** ground-feeding birds and anyone who wants the widest variety. Mount it low for juncos, doves and sparrows. **Who should skip it:** anyone who cannot clean it often. UF/IFAS cites studies showing higher disease transmission because droppings mix with food; FeederWatch says to consider retiring tray feeders if salmonella or trichomoniasis shows up. A mesh bottom with drainage helps. ### Suet feeders **Who it is for:** woodpecker and nuthatch lovers in cool weather. FeederWatch notes bottom-access cages tend to resist starlings. **Who should skip it:** hot-climate yards in summer; plain suet can turn rancid, so use no-melt suet (UF/IFAS, Audubon). See [our suet feeder picks](/best-suet-feeders/). ### Nyjer (thistle) feeders **Who it is for:** goldfinch fans. **Who should skip it:** budget-minded feeders who want variety; UF/IFAS says most other birds will not use it and the seed costs about $1.50 a pound. See [our nyjer feeder roundup](/best-nyjer-thistle-feeders-for-finches/). ### Hummingbird feeders **Who it is for:** anyone willing to clean often. FeederWatch recommends a 1:4 sugar-to-water mix, no red dye. **Who should skip it:** people who cannot change nectar every few days; UF/IFAS says at least every 3 to 5 days. See [best hummingbird feeders](/best-hummingbird-feeders/). ### Ground feeding **Who it is for:** yards with sparrows, juncos or towhees that rarely use elevated feeders (FeederWatch). **Who should skip it:** yards with cats nearby or rodent problems; FeederWatch says cats threaten ground feeders most and UF/IFAS notes spilled seed attracts rodents. ## Limits of this guide UF/IFAS is Florida-focused, so its seasonal notes (such as nyjer in October to March) may not fit your region. Our sources disagree on wooden feeders: UF/IFAS says wash them with hot soapy water, while FeederWatch advises against feeders that cannot be thoroughly washed. Prices and specific models are not covered here. ## FAQ ### What is the best single 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. Our [cleaning guide](/how-to-clean-a-bird-feeder/) has the steps. **How this guide was made:** Research-based from the cited expert sources below, compiled with AI assistance and reviewed by the editorial team. We did not hands-on test any product. See [How We Research](/how-we-research/). ## Sources - University of Florida IFAS Extension, Attracting Backyard Birds: Bird Feeder Selection (published July 31, 2025) - ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW192 - Project FeederWatch, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Feeding Birds (modified July 2026) - feederwatch.org/learn/feeding-birds/ - Audubon, 11 Tips for Feeding Backyard Birds (2011, modified February 2025) - audubon.org/magazine/11-tips-feeding-backyard-birds Back to [The Bird Feeder Guide home](/).