Best Bird Feeders and Supplies
Birdwatching is one of those hobbies that sounds boring until you try it. Then suddenly you're texting friends about a cardinal you saw and looking up migration patterns at 2 AM. It sneaks up on you. And the entry cost is basically just a feeder and some seed. If you're into pet birds instead, we've got cage picks too. And if you want to combine tech with birding (because of course you do), smart feeders with built-in cameras let you ID species automatically and watch your feeder from your phone. It's surprisingly addictive.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Best For | Key Pros | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birdfy Smart Bird Feeder with AI Species Recognition Camera | Bird-Feeder | Identifies over 6000 bird species | Buy on Amazon |
| Perky-Pet Copper Panorama Wild Bird Feeder 360 Degree Perch | Bird-Feeder | 360-degree perch accommodates multiple birds at once | Buy on Amazon |
| Squirrel Buster Standard Bird Feeder | Bird-Feeder | Truly squirrel-proof design | Buy on Amazon |
| Droll Yankees Onyx Clever Clean Nyjer Thistle Feeder | Bird-Feeder | Attracts goldfinches reliably | Buy on Amazon |
| Yaheetech 64-Inch Open Top Rolling Bird Cage | Bird-Cage | Very roomy interior | Buy on Amazon |
| Prevue Hendryx Flight Bird Cage 26x14x36 Inch | Bird-Cage | Wide design encourages flight | Buy on Amazon |
Detailed Look at Each Product
Birdfy Smart Bird Feeder with AI Species Recognition Camera
Smart bird feeder with built-in 1080p camera and AI-powered species identification. Sends real-time notifications to your phone when birds visit. Solar panel option keeps the battery charged year-round without climbing a ladder.
- Identifies over 6000 bird species
- Great camera quality
- Solar charging option
- Fun species collection feature
- Premium price point
- AI misidentifies occasionally
- Requires strong WiFi signal outdoors
Perky-Pet Copper Panorama Wild Bird Feeder 360 Degree Perch
The Perky-Pet Copper Panorama Bird Feeder features a 360-degree perch ring that allows multiple birds to feed simultaneously from any angle. The copper-finish bowl holds up to 2 pounds of seed and the quick-clean base detaches for effortless rinsing. Its decorative design looks attractive hanging in gardens, yards, or on porches.
- 360-degree perch accommodates multiple birds at once
- Detachable base makes cleaning quick and sanitary
- Attractive copper finish complements garden aesthetics
- Shallow bowl can get waterlogged in heavy rain
- Squirrels can access seed without a baffle pole
Squirrel Buster Standard Bird Feeder
Weight-sensitive squirrel-proof bird feeder with adjustable spring mechanism. Squirrel weight closes seed ports automatically while allowing small birds to feed. Ventilation keeps seed dry and fresh in rain.
- Truly squirrel-proof design
- Easy to fill and clean
- Durable construction
- Keeps seed dry
- Only holds about 1.3 lbs of seed
- Larger birds may trigger closure
Droll Yankees Onyx Clever Clean Nyjer Thistle Feeder
Tube feeder designed specifically for nyjer thistle seed to attract goldfinches and other small songbirds. Internal baffles keep seed flowing evenly to all ports. Disassembles without tools for thorough cleaning.
- Attracts goldfinches reliably
- Tool-free disassembly
- Durable polycarbonate tube
- Only for nyjer seed
- Small capacity needs frequent refills
Yaheetech 64-Inch Open Top Rolling Bird Cage
Spacious wrought iron bird cage with open-top play area and rolling casters. Includes two wooden perches, four feeding cups, and a slide-out cleaning tray. Suitable for cockatiels, parakeets, and conures.
- Very roomy interior
- Open-top play area
- Easy to clean slide-out tray
- Sturdy rolling casters
- Assembly takes over an hour
- Bar spacing too wide for finches
Prevue Hendryx Flight Bird Cage 26x14x36 Inch
Wide flight cage giving small birds room to fly horizontally between perches. Half-inch bar spacing is appropriate for finches, canaries, and budgies. Two large front doors and a bottom grille with pull-out tray simplify cleaning.
- Wide design encourages flight
- Appropriate bar spacing for small birds
- Quality powder-coat finish
- Not tall enough for climbing species
- Perches are basic dowels
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best bird feeder for beginners?
The Perky-Pet Copper Panorama is a great all-around starter feeder. It's got a 360-degree perch so multiple birds can feed at once, and it holds enough seed that you're not refilling it every day. If you want something fancier, the Birdfy smart feeder has a camera that IDs bird species with AI — it's ridiculously cool.
How do I keep squirrels out of my bird feeder?
The Squirrel Buster feeder is literally designed for this. The ports close under a squirrel's weight but stay open for birds. It actually works, which is more than you can say for most "squirrel-proof" feeders. You can also try mounting your feeder on a pole with a baffle, but squirrels are surprisingly creative problem-solvers.
What do I need for a pet bird?
A cage that's way bigger than you think. Birds need room to spread their wings and move around. The Yaheetech rolling cage is great for cockatiels and similar medium birds. For smaller birds like finches or budgies, the Prevue Hendryx flight cage gives them horizontal space to actually fly, which is what they need most.
What bird seed should I buy?
Black oil sunflower seeds attract the widest variety of birds — cardinals, chickadees, finches, you name it. If you want goldfinches specifically, the Droll Yankees thistle feeder with nyjer seed is the way to go. Avoid cheap mixed seed with lots of filler — birds just kick the junk seed onto the ground and eat what they want anyway.