The three major types of bird feeders are tube, hopper, and platform. There are also specialty feeders that hold fruits, mealworms, nectar, Nyjer®, peanuts, and suet. The description of each bird feeder type is below, and includes the bird food to use with that feeder and the species it attracts.
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Tube Feeder
Description: Long, slender container with seed ports and perches Bird Feed: Black-oil sunflower, Nyjer®, safflower, striped sunflower, sunflower hearts, white proso millet, or whole peanuts Attracts: Chickadees, Common Redpoll, finches, goldfinches, Indigo Bunting, nuthatches, Pine Siskin, sparrows, titmice, and woodpeckers
Hopper Feeder
Description: Box-like storage compartment that resembles a small house Bird Feed: Black-oil sunflower, cracked corn, Nyjer®, safflower, striped sunflower, sunflower hearts, white proso millet, or whole peanuts Attracts: Chickadees, Common Redpoll, Dark-eyed Junco, finches, goldfinches, grosbeaks, Indigo Bunting, jays, Northern Cardinal, nuthatches, Pine Siskin, sparrows, titmice, towhees, and woodpeckers
Platform Feeder
Description: Tray with a ledge, possibly with a roof Bird Feed: Black-oil sunflower, cracked corn, Nyjer®, safflower, striped sunflower, sunflower hearts, white proso millet, or whole peanuts Attracts: Chickadees, Common Redpoll, Dark-eyed Junco, doves, finches, goldfinches, grosbeaks, Indigo Bunting, jays, Northern Cardinal, nuthatches, Pine Siskin, sparrows, titmice, towhees, and woodpeckers
Fruit Feeder
Description: Feeder with ledge or perch and a spike for impaling fruit Bird Feed: Fruits Attracts: American Robin, bluebirds, and orioles
Mealworm Feeder
Description: Open dish, possibly with sides, entrance holes, and a roof Bird Feed: Mealworms Attracts: Bluebirds and Carolina Wren
Nectar Feeder
Description: Vacuum and saucer feeder types, possibly with perches Bird Feed: Nectar Attracts: Hummingbirds and orioles
Nyjer® Feeder
Description: Tube feeder with smaller seed ports Bird Feed: Nyjer® or sunflower hearts Attracts: Common Redpoll, finches, goldfinches, Indigo Bunting, and Pine Siskin
Peanut Feeder
Description: Tube feeder constructed of wire mesh Bird Feed: Whole peanuts Attracts: Jays, nuthatches, titmice, and woodpeckers
Suet Feeder
Description: Square, plastic-coated wire basket, possibly with a tail prop Bird Feed: Suet Attracts: Carolina Wren, chickadees, nuthatches, titmice, and woodpeckers
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