The Best Bird Feeders of 2026

The ideal backyard embraces nature, although many times that’s impossible, especially for apartment dwellers and city folk. But there are ways to bring birds and bees to your balcony—sure, you can add a few potted plants, but also consider hanging a bird feeder or two. The cheeps, chirps, and entertainment bring great value to your downtime.

We have a few bird experts on staff who have put together this guide to the best bird feeders. We’ve got suggestions based on bird variety, size, and food preferences. These beautifully designed outdoor feeders can draw in local and wild bird species you can watch from your kitchen window or your patio.

Here are the best bird feeders you can find on the market right now.

Other Bird Feeders We Evaluated

FAQs About Bird Feeders

What Do Birds Eat?

Not all birdseed and birdfeeders are created equal, and what you buy or how you present may determine what backyard birds come to visit. There are many varieties of seeds when it comes to bird food, including black oil sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, Nyjer seeds, and millet. You can buy these separately or as a wild bird food mix.

You can typically find bird food in its shells, a cheaper option that will leave a mess on your lawn or in your garden. Alternatively, you can buy it shelled, aka a “no-waste bird seed.”

• Cardinals: Northern cardinals love black oil sunflower seeds and safflower bird seed, and it’s one of the easiest bird seeds to find in-store. The best bird feeder for cardinals is a tube feeder, which they can pillage in a matter of days.
• Blue jays: Larger than most wild birds, blue jays need a sturdy feeder that can hold their weight, like a hopper bird feeder. They’ll eat black oil sunflower seeds, but an absolute favorite is anything peanut, even whole peanuts still in their shells.
• Finches: Goldfinches, house finches, and purple finches are all common backyard birds in the U.S., and while they eat off traditional bird feeders, you’ll have the best luck providing them with niger/Nyjer seeds, which are small, skinny, and black, kind of like caraway. A Nyjer feeder typically features a stainless-steel screen or mesh sock for seed and allows the birds to hang rather than perch. Place the feeder in an open space with weed growth, like thistle and grasses, and ensure the seed stays dry—once wet it can mold quickly.
• Bluebirds: Bluebirds absolutely love mealworms and suet nuggets, and if you put these on offer in your yard, you’ll soon have a community. The perfect bluebird feeder has a roof overhead and one to two cups that you can fill. A cage around it all keeps squirrels and larger birds out.
• Orioles: The orange and black oriole does not eat birdseed. Instead, it’s partial to flower nectar, mealworms, and fruit. An oriole feeder is typically a metal form that you can stick oranges onto and has a compartment for sugar water or grape jelly. Place an oriole bird feeder in a quiet corner of the yard not close to people or activity.
• Hummingbirds: The best hummingbird food is nectar from flowers, so hummingbird populations are more abundant in warmer climates. However, many northern U.S. states see hummingbirds migrate there over the summer months, and a good stand-in for nectar is sugar water (1 part sugar, 4 parts water). The best hummingbird feeder is a red plastic saucer rather than a glass canister. It is much easier to clean all the saucer’s parts (and you’ll want to do this weekly), and it won’t rust.

How Do Birds Find Bird Feeders?

Most of our backyard bird species track down feeders by sight. This means the feeders need to be visible, and many feeders enhance their visual appeal with bright colors.

This doesn't mean that a wide open space is the best spot for your feeder, though. Birds also need some shelter nearby to feel secure from predators.

Birds also have good memories, so once they know you're providing free meals, they'll keep coming back for more.

Birds have varied diets and preferences. Hanging several feeders at different heights with different seeds will maximize the variety of birds using your feeders.

How Do I Keep Squirrels Away From My Bird Feeder?

Squirrels are smart, persistent, and agile, so keeping them away from your bird food is a challenge. You have several options that can help, though.

First, you can try to put your feeders where squirrels find it hard to reach them. A pole-mounted feeder with a squirrel baffle to prevent pole climbing can be effective. The feeder needs to be out of jumping range from any branches, though, and squirrels can jump up to 8 feet!

Second, you can choose squirrel-resistant feeders. Some, for example, have spring-loaded cages or covers that close up the feeding holes when a hefty squirrel lands on them.

Third, pick foods that aren't attractive to squirrels. Hot pepper additives can make any food unappealing for squirrels but are not a problem for most birds. Squirrels also like larger seeds and nuts. Small seeds, like Nyjer, usually aren't worth the effort for a squirrel.

Finally, as long as they're not taking too much, you could just let the squirrels take a share and live with the losses.

How To Make Hummingbird Food

Hummingbird feed is, essentially, sugar water. You’ll want to mix four parts water and one part sugar and bring it to a boil. Let stand to cool and then pour small amounts into your hummingbird feeders. The remaining sugar water can be stored in the refrigerator for about one week.

Many experts will tell you that making your own sugar water is preferable to buying hummingbird nectar at the store.

When To Put Out Hummingbird Feeders

In some parts of the southern U.S., and even further north in the milder parts of the Pacific coast, you can find hummingbirds year round. In most of the U.S., though, hummingbirds are spring and summer visitors. Hummingbirds generally arrive in the U.S. in late spring, with timing dependent on your latitude. Northern states will see the arrival of hummingbirds in May or June, while Southern states will see them much earlier.

It’s a good idea to put out your hummingbird feeders a week or two before hummingbirds are slated to arrive in your area. Cornell Lab’s eBird is a great resource for tracking when hummingbirds will be in your area.

Make sure to frequently fill and clean hummingbird feeders as they can grow dangerous mold without good cleaning.

How To Clean A Bird Feeder

Disassemble the bird feeder as best you can. Scrub all parts of the feeder with hot water and dish soap. Soak the entire feeder in a bucket of either vinegar or a small bit of bleach diluted in water.

Afterward, thoroughly rinse the parts and let them dry before reassembling the feeder. After cleaning, fill the bird feeder with bird seed.

Some bird feeders, like hummingbird feeders, must be cleaned with extra rigor because of the sugars involved. Scrub them with boiling water every few days to keep mold and bacteria from growing and poisoning hummingbirds.

Being careful about germs when dealing with wild birds is always a good idea. While it’s rare for anything to pass from birds to people, it is possible. Make sure to wash your hands when you’re done.

Where and How To Hang A Bird Feeder

Birds don’t want noisy spaces where they’re open to threats. Hang feeders off the ground in pleasant places near vegetation and trees—think harmonious green grottos.

It’s a good idea to hang feeders at different levels to attract various birds. Ground feeders will want to be lower than the ground on platform feeders, while suet feeders should be higher.

You’ll also want to be able to watch your birds eat. For the most enjoyment, we recommend hanging bird feeders outside kitchen or dining room windows or near porches, in short, wherever you spend a lot of time.

If you’ve got feathered friends visiting your bird feeders, it’s a good idea to add a source of water for them to drink and bathe in. Consider adding a nearby birdbath.

How We Test and Evaluate Bird Feeders

Our experts have extensively researched user reviews, product specs, price points, and other important factors to determine which bird feeder brands and models we can recommend to our readers.

We also test many types and styles of bird feeders regularly in our backyards, from squirrel-proof bird feeders to hopper bird feeders to smart bird feeders that feature alarms, cameras, and AI species identification.

One of our favorites on this list of bird feeders is the Netvue Birdfy, which has been fully tested and reviewed, and we've used both the Perky Pet Squirrel-Be-Gone feeder and the Droll Yankees tube feeder for years.

The other bird feeders featured here are similar to ones we own ourselves and have been carefully selected to meet our criteria, evaluating the durability, feed chamber size, squirrel proofness, and quality of materials.

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