• The most common feeders.
• Pros:
• Food is usually cheap and easy to obtain.
• Attract wide variety of birds, especially with mixed seeds .
• Seed blends will have something for every bird appetite.
• Come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes (see below).
• Cons:
• May attract unwanted visitors (rats, mice, squirrels, etc.).
• Seed can be very bulky to store, and needs to be kept in tightly sealed, preferably metal container -- or else, expect mice.
• Needs frequent refilling -- once "word gets out" about your yard, expect to refill every day or every other day.
• Makes a mess of whatever is underneath the feeder (your lawn, your deck, your car, etc.)
• This mess can be partially prevented by using hulled seeds  (also known as "no-waste" seeds), but these seeds are more expensive and most birds are still messy eaters.

Hanging feeders are probably the most popular style. Easy to install, they're also relatively easy to squirrelproof. Popular with many kinds of birds.

Pole mounted feeders  are a more permanent installation and a great if you don't have a good tree to hang a feeder. Make sure to put a baffle on the bottom, squirrels can climb metal poles.

Ground feeders will attract larger birds that struggle on hanging feeders, like mourning doves. One of the easiest for squirrels to raid, unfortunately.

Window feeders  will bring the birds up close! Great for dorms and apartments, where other kinds of feeders wouldn't work. Often dishwasher safe. Can be very messy.

Goldfinch feeders  are highly specialized for the goldfinch method of feeding upside-down. A few other birds, like pine siskins, will also give it a go. Tiny holes are only big enough for nyjer seed, so make sure you're willing to invest in the "black gold" of birdseed.

• Suet is solid kidney fat, usually from a cow.
• Birds that live in cold climates during the winter will flock to a suet feeder ; the pure fat gives them lots of energy to keep warm and active in the cold winter.
• Suet comes in blocks. Sometimes extra ingredients, such as nuts, seeds, fruit, and flavorings are added.
• The blocks of suet are usually suspended in a wire or mesh box, allowing the birds to peck at it from all sides.
• Pros:
• Squirrel-resistant (especially when formulated with chili-pepper).
• Attracts a number of familiar birds, including chickadees and nuthatches, and certain birds that don't eat seeds, such as woodpeckers.
• Compact feeders are relatively mess-free
• A block can last several days, and there won't be shells all over the place.
• Between blocks, just wash the feeder with soap and water and refill -- much easier than a seed feeder.
• Blocks don't take up a lot of space, and can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer to keep them pest-proof.
• Cons:
• Can't be used in the summer, unless you buy specially formulated blocks that won't melt or spoil.
• Not vegetarian. (But on the other hand, it's a part of an animal that was being slaughtered anyway. Better not to waste it, right?)
• Not all birds will eat it.

• Fruit feeders  attract many species, particularly orioles and mockingbirds.
• Pros:
• Orioles won't come to regular seed feeders, so you can attract them with oranges and grape jelly.
• Mockingbirds have a taste for apples.
• Many other birds have a sweet tooth as well.
• Cons:
• Fruit may attract unwanted visitors, particularly ants.
• Fruit can spoil quickly.
• Fruit can also dry out quickly, rendering it unappealing.

• Although certain other species, such as orioles, will also eat visit them, nectar feeders  are mainly for attracting hummingbirds.
• Pros:
• Hummingbirds are fun to watch and very pretty.
• Not messy -- hummingbirds are neat eaters.
• Easy to make your own food -- simply mix water and sugar. (Food coloring may be harmful to birds.)
• Can also buy hummingbird food mix .
• Cons:
• Ants love sugar water.
• Needs frequent cleaning and changing of food (every 3-5 days) to prevent spoilage.
• Hummingbirds are not that common in the eastern United States, although ruby-throated hummingbirds do appear in the summer.

Mealworm Feeders 

• Mainly for feeding bluebirds and other birds that don't eat seed.
• You may be able to buy mealworms  at your local pet shop, but you can also order them online.

Combination Feeders 

• Attract many kinds of birds at once.
• Might prove troublesome to clean.
• Might unbalance the natural order in your backyard (seriously).

Squirrel Feeders 

• Very entertaining, especially if they spin.
• In theory, keep the squirrels fed, entertained, and away from your birdseed. (In theory. You'll probably still want a baffle  -- see below, "Squirrelproofing")

Baffles 

• Baffles are devices that keep squirrels away from the food source. Usually bell shaped, they go on top of hanging feeders to make them only accessible by air or at the bottom of standing feeders to make them inaccessible from the ground.
• Very clever squirrels can get around them, but it usually takes them a lot more effort than it's worth. Just be sure the feeder is far from the tree trunk -- those suckers can jump!
• Some bird feeders have built-in baffles; baffles can also be purchased separately for hanging or standing feeders.
• Pictured: Hanging Feeder with a Baffle 

Squirrel-proof Feeders 

• Other squirrel-proof feeders may have wire mesh around the feeder; this keeps out squirrels and large birds but lets in smaller birds.
• When squirrel-proofing a feeder, make sure that the feeder is not close to a tree trunk or branch; squirrels can jump further than you think.
• Pictured: Squirrel-Proof Feeder 

• Will not be easy to wash even in good weather.
• Hosing it down during the winter, peak bird-feeding season, might be problematic as well.
• Pictured: Bird Feeder Statue. 

• A basic hopper such as this one is always a good bet.
• Lightweight, easy to clean, remove and rehang.
• The clear tube allows you to see how much seed is left.
• For longer hoppers, a large bottle brush can help make cleaning a breeze.
• Pictured: Basic Bird Feeder 

Wild Bird Food

Seed Scoop 

Bottle Brush 

Bird Baths