Having backyard birdfeeders is a wonderful way to bring more winged friends into your gardens. Having a few varieties of backyard birdfeeders in the garden will attract several different types of birds that you can enjoy all year long.

Many birds can be very fussy about the types of food that they will eat and the feeders they will pay a visit to. The most successful backyard bird enthusiasts will have more than one style of birdfeeder so as to attract a wider variety of wildlife. Here are a few different styles of birdfeeders and the birds they will attract:

Tube Birdfeeders
The tube feeder usually consists of a plastic cylinder with 4 or more perches attached and holes that are large enough for sunflower seeds. It is best if the feeder holes are surrounded with metal so the squirrels will not be able to chew through them. This feeder is generally used by the smaller birds such as the chickadee, titmouse, sparrow, and finch. The larger birds find this type of birdfeeder a little more difficult to feed unless the feeder has a tray attached for perching and will probably attract cardinals, and some of the other larger type birds. Sunflower seeds and peanuts are a good feed for these feeders.



Hopper Birdfeeders
The hopper feeder is generally a wooden box which has plexi-glass sides and an area for the larger bird to perch. It is recommended that these feeders be attached to a pole with a squirrel baffle because the squirrels like to chew the wood and will ruin the feeder. Good hopper feeders are usually made of cedar and are attached with screws that will not rust. The birds that usually are attracted to these backyard birdfeeders are cardinals, doves, and grosbeaks.  Sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, white millet, and peanuts are a good mixture of feed for this type of feeder.

Thistle Seed Birdfeeders
These birdfeeders are plastic tubes that have very tiny holes which are used for Nyjer seed or a finch mixture. Nyjer is the correct term for the seed used in this feeder but thistle is the common name for the feeder. Birds that enjoy this type of birdfeeder are small birds such as the goldfinch, house finch and sometimes the chickadee.  

Suet Birdfeeders
Suet feeders are usually small cages made of wire that have holes approximately 1/2 inch to 1 inch in diameter. They usually attract woodpeckers but many other birds also enjoy eating suet. There are a number of varieties of flavored suets available today and the woodpecker seems to like them all. This type of feed is a good source of energy for the insect-eating bird, such as the woodpecker, bluebird, and nuthatch. There are no-melt suet cakes available now for year-round feeding and even some flavors that the squirrel does not like such as pure suet and hot pepper flavor. Some of these feeders can even attract the oriole and catbird.  

Peanut Birdfeeders
The peanut feeder is a tube style with metal mesh. Also available is a peanut feeder constructed of wood that has metal reinforced holes and is used with a woodpecker mix or peanuts. The biggest problem is with the squirrels eating the wood. These feeders will not only attract the woodpecker but also the blue-jay, chickadee, titmouse, and nuthatch.

The important things you need to think about regarding your backyard birdfeeders is water, cover, nesting places, and plantings when trying to attract more birds. They need a place to keep warm in the winter, raise their young, and year round water.  It would be nice to have different types of backyard birdfeeders that are visible from each room of the house.