Birdfeeders

Hopper bird feeders have a few advantages over most other bird feeders. Seeds are stored in a holding bin, some with a quite large capacity, and fall down into a tray as birds eat them. The storage bin usually has a roof so seed is protected for the weather. The storage bin is usually made of either clear plastic or glass so it is easy to see when the bin needs to be refilled. These hopper bird feeders generally do not need to be filled as often as other bird feeders and the seed stays fresh and dry. Best of all, most birds love to eat at a hopper feeder. This feeder will draw chickadees, grosbeaks, cardinals, nuthatches, titmice, woodpeckers, finches and jays. If the platform is big enough, the hopper feeder may even be visited by ground feeding birds like doves and sparrows.

It is not a good idea to use seed mixes in a hopper feeder, for it is too easy for a bird to just knock off the seeds they don’t like as much and just dig around for the sunflower seeds. It is a much better plan to use sunflower seeds exclusively in this feeder. The other problem can squirrels. A squirrel can empty a hopper feeder in no time! If this is a problem in your yard, opt for a squirrel proof hopper feeder. These close the seed off in a variety of ways using the weight of the squirrel.