16 Best Squirrel-proof Bird Feeders And What To Fill It With
Birds often frequent most people's backyards, especially during the fall and summer. Many people provide food for them, especially bird watchers, while others are trying to learn how to entice these birds. However, you should not only get any bird feeders for your garden but the best squirrel-proof bird feeders.
Seeds and nuts are squirrels’ favorites. So, you need fortified feeders to protect your feathered friends' meals. In this article, we will explore factors to consider before purchasing squirrel-proof bird feeders.
We will also discuss the types of birds that frequent your yard and the types of birdseed to feed them. Lastly, we are recommending 16 squirrel-proof bird feeders from Amazon. Have a good read!
Related Read: DIY Bird Bath Ideas, Bird Facts.
What To Look Out For When Purchasing Squirrel-proof Feeders
Here are some things you should consider before buying a squirrel-proof bird feeder.
Type
Various methods exist to squirrel-proof a feeder, including baffles, cages, tubes, and collapsible perches.
A Baffle Feeder
A baffle is an excellent method of keeping squirrels away from a pole-mounted bird feeder. It is a dome-shaped or cone-line object usually hung below or above the feeder because its slippery surface prevents squirrels from staying on the perch. Adding a baffle to the pole attached to the feeder prevents them from climbing and reaching it.
A Caged Squirrel-proof Feeder
A caged squirrel-proof feeder often surrounds an actual feeder. The feeders are made of plastic or metal mesh, with an outer layer of wider mesh. Birds, mostly the smaller species, slip through the wider mesh to access the bird seed.
However, cage feeders are more suitable for holding suet or solid seed cakes. The two layers of metal mesh prevent squirrels from reducing the bird’s rations. This bird feeder type is the most suitable option for birds with elongated beaks.
Tube Feeders
Tube feeders are simple styles commonly made with polycarbonate materials. These tubes have ports that release seeds to the birds. You can monitor feed levels with a tube feeder because they are usually transparent.
Some manufacturers often use metal for the top and port areas. However, watch out for tube feeders designed to withstand UV rays.
Other squirrel-proof mechanisms
Other squirrel-proof mechanisms are collapsible perches and tension springs. Feeders with collapsible perches bend with the weight of a squirrel, and they drop to the ground. Tension springs close the feed port when a heavy weight is on it. So, this type of feeder is always suitable for small and medium-sized birds.
Size
There are various shapes and sizes of bird feeders. Some smaller feeders are usually better suited for suet food, while others can hold up to 5 pounds of birdseed.
Small feeders require refill more often if many birds flock to your yard. The size can also determine how many birds can feed at one time. For instance, cylinder-shaped feeders contain between four and six feeding ports.
The size can also affect what kinds of birds come to a feeder: cardinals and finches like cylinder feeders, while woodpeckers go for larger feeders. However, larger feeders need pole mounts to support hanging.
Material
Manufacturers use various materials to create squirrel-proof bird feeders, but not predominantly wood. They try not to use a lot of wood because it is easy for squirrels to chew through wood. Instead, they use metal, plastic, acrylic, and epoxy resin.
Metal is one of the most squirrel-proof materials to construct feeders with. Manufacturers coat it with powder that makes it resistant to corrosion. However, it can get too hot in high temperatures, which may deter birds in sunny areas.
Plastic feeders are also durable and easy to clean but might be susceptible to UV rays. So, it is best to choose ultraviolet-stabilized plastic, which prevents discoloration.
Because acrylic and epoxy resin are transparent, they allow for unobstructed bird-watching. In some cases, manufacturers can combine the two materials to produce feeders.
Ease of use
Before you get a squirrel-proof bird feeder, check for easy usage. There are different types, but some might be difficult to use because the design features meant to repel squirrels make it more difficult for humans to fill them with birdseed.
Most feeders have a top opening for feeding, but you might need help opening it. Select a bird feeder with an easy opening mechanism. The bottom of a larger feeder can also get clogged by seeds. Select feeders with easy sed distribution to avoid clogging.
10 Types Of Birds That Visit Your Backyard
Many bird species frequent your backyard, windows, or porch. However, the species vary per region and climate. Here are ten wild birds in the United States:
- Blue jay
- American Goldfinch
- Northern Cardinal
- Tufted titmouse
- Downy and Hairy woodpeckers
- Eastern bluebirds
- Song sparrow
- Black-billed magpie
- Hummingbird
- Mourning dove
Types Of Seeds To Put In Squirrel-proof Bird Feeder
There are many more birds apart from those mentioned above. These birds consume seeds, fruits, grain, nuts, and mealworms. Here are some bird seeds to add to your squirrel-proof bird feeders:
- Sunflower seeds
- Safflower seed
- Millet
- Cracked corn
- Peanuts
- Mealworms
- Suet cake
- Nyjer seeds
- Mixed seeds
16 Squirrel-proof Bird Feeders (Amazon)
1.SWISSINNO Bird Feeder Davos Smart Birds
The SWISSINNO bird feeder's innovative design prevents squirrels from stealing seeds. Squirrels and other rodents steal from bird feeders because seeds steadily fall to the ground when birds feed.
To prevent this, the producers attached a catch tray to save up to 50% of the seeds as they fall. They produced it with long-lasting materials, polystyrene and polycarbonate. These materials allow you to feed your feathered friends through all seasons.
This bird feeder has two compartments, so you can feed birds two different seeds simultaneously. It is available on Amazon in light blue, green, or light grey. These colors are bright enough to attract backyard birds.
2. PELUOMOZ Bird Feeder
Peluomoz bird feeder is perfect for cardinal, blue jay, finch, sparrow, and songbird bird species. It is a large metal squirrel-proof feeder that can hold up to 4 lbs of seeds. Its telescopic design allows you to fill it with many seed types by stretching it up to 10.4 inches long.
The squirrel-proof bird feeder doesn’t need any form of assembling before usage. It has a wide opening and detachable lid, which opens easily for refills and cleaning. The detachable lid comes with a clip that prevents squirrels from opening it. It also has a gazebo roof that protects birds from rain and sun.
The metal wire shroud design provides enough ventilation so the seeds don’t become moldy, and the drainage holes at the bottom help the seeds dry after rainfall. It deters squirrels with its bite and corrosion-resistant wire mesh. Get a PELUOMOX bird feeder if you aim to attract multiple bird species.
3. CEED4U Squirrel-Proof Caged Bird Feeder with Drop-Down Tech
If you are looking for pole-mounted feeders, the CEED4U squirrel-proof bird feeder is an excellent choice. The 3-pound feeding tube surrounded by a sturdy metal cage stops squirrels and larger birds like bluejays and grackles from accessing the seeds inside. You will love the transparent feature of the seed tube because it helps you know when to refill.
The feeding tube has four feeding ports that allow multiple birds to eat at once. Its metal frame is powder-coated, so it is free from corrosion and damage from the weather. A bottom plug prevents squirrels and other pests from opening the lid.
You refill the feeder by pulling on the pull-out plug to lower it from its lid. You can hang it on tree branches or metal poles with its metal hook. It will add a chill ambiance to your yard while catering to the birds in the environment.
4. MIXXIDEA Tube Bird Feeder
MIXXIDEA bird feeders are one of the best tube feeders on the market. The MIXXIDEA brand prides itself in producing exquisite products that help you to establish a relationship with nature and decorate your garden.
The tube is a good purchase for small birds. It has six feeding ports with little aluminum perches for birds to stand on. They produced it with tubes with polycarbonate and aluminum parts. It is 5 inches wide and 20 inches long, with 2 lbs seed capacity. Note that the MIXXIDEA feeder is only suitable for feeding a maximum of eight birds at once.
5. Gaprass Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders
This squirrel-proof bird feeder has a unique appearance that will improve the aesthetic of your environment. These bronze and green caged feeders prevent squirrels from eating bird seeds. It works best with medium-sized and big seeds.
Gaprass manufactures its feeders with durable metal, with a paint coating that makes it resistant to corrosion and damage from all weather elements. It has a roof that stops water from reaching the seeds. There are also seven drainage holes in the tray to keep the seeds in the catch tray dry.
You can access the feeder by opening the roof, but it can give squirrels easy access to the seeds. They added two metal buckle strips on the roof to prevent squirrels from reaching inside. Its circle feeding tray and three feeding venta make feeding easier for wild birds. The circular feeding tray also serves as a perch as they eat from the vents.
The Gaprass bird feeder makes a perfect gift for bird watchers. They will love its easy access to feeding and cleaning.
6. Solar Owl Squirrel-Proof Hanging Bird Feeders
This small metal squirrel-proof bird feeder, shaped like an owl, has multiple functions. It is a bird feeder, solar light, and wind chime. The mesh owl sits on a small branch, which serves as a perch for small birds.
It is not suitable for larger birds. However, the feeder features a solar-powered glow light, wind chime, and a glass bead. These features attract birds to perch and feed through the mesh openings.
Unlike other squirrel-proof bird feeders, it lacks protection from rain and drainage holes. You should hang it on your back porch to protect the seeds from rain. There are other animal-shaped feeders you can explore on Amazon. They include ladybugs, roosters, bees, and chickadees.
7. Weight-activated Squirrel-proof Bird Feeder
The feeder from the ABXKZ store has the shape of a house in three designs. Two designs are farmhouses with transparent windows to monitor the seed levels, while the third design is a rectangular cage with a clear seed tube.
Two of the squirrel-proof feeders are fine-tuned to support the weight of birds. The weight-activated perch gets pulled down by the squirrel’s weight as it lands on the feeder, blocking the feeding vents.
The squirrel-proof bird feeder without an activated weight mechanism deters squirrels with the size of its feeding vent. There is no space for them to interact with the food, only allowing birds to perch and eat bird seed.
The metal feeder can hold 5 pounds of seed, meaning you don’t need to refill often. It has sturdy hanging hardware that prevents it from falling from its designated pole mount or tree branch. It also has 22 drainage holes. Larger birds might not eat from this feeder because their weight could activate the perch.
8. LCSEVEN Bird Feeder for Outside
LCSEVEN squirrel-proof feeder has a unique springy mechanism that deters squirrels from feeding on the seeds. The seed tube is a thick plastic material covered with a metal lid and surrounded by a metal spring.
This design makes it difficult for squirrels to bite and chew on it. As they climb the feeder, the metal string extends and blocks the feeding ports. The metal is durable, surviving rain, sun, and snow elements without rusting. It also comes with four metal perches for the birds to enjoy their meal.
9. Bird Feeders for Outdoors Hanging
The KAKSEY bird feeder is made of metal and plastic. It has a weight-activated cage designed to look like a retro lighthouse. The lighthouse-shaped cover protects the food from moisture. The feeder also has four feeding vents and perches.
Although the feeding tube is plastic, it is thick enough to deter squirrels from chewing it. It is a large-capacity feeder that can hold up to 5 pounds of bird seed, so you don't have to refill often.
A gravity induction spring blocks the entrance of the feeding vents once it feels a squirrel's weight. You can easily hang this on a window sill, pole, or porch. They are also easy to clean.
10. Birdkiss Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder
Birdkiss's squirrel-proof feeder is shaped like a house, with weight-activated perches on both sides. The perch comes down immediately after a squirrel touches it. Birdkiss used durable, coated metal to construct their bird feeder. It is waterproof and rust-resistant.
You can not use it as a suet feeder because the design isn't suitable for suet and seed cakes. However, you can fill it with 5 pounds of birdseed. It is easy to fill and clean: Simply lift the locking top to fill the feeder. It's a beautiful design that would fit harmoniously into your home.
11. Perky-Pet 336-1SR Squirrel-Be-Gone Bird Feeder
The Perky-Pet brand has various bird feeders that deter squirrels from consuming bird food. The 336-1SR Squirrel-Be-Gone bird feeder has an attractive design that fits into the environment.
The metal cage surrounding the plastic seed tube has decorative leaves blocking feeding entrances to deter squirrels from eating the seeds and chewing on the plastic feeding tube.
The squirrel-be-gone feeder has six feeding ports that accommodate multiple birds at once. These ports have perches that also double as resting spots on a sunny day. The feeder can hold 2 pounds of black oil sunflower seeds and mixed seeds.
12. Squirrel Resistant Bird Feeders
The spaces between the wires are big enough to accommodate medium-sized birds, not squirrels. You can fill it with bird seeds like mealworms, finch and sunflower seed blends, unshelled peanuts, and thistle.
This pole-mounted squirrel-proof bird feeder is a mix of alloy steel and plastic. It has four well-spaced feed vents at different levels of the feeder. Each feed vent level has a perch for the birds to rest on.
It's an excellent choice for attracting birds like wrens, goldcrests, finches, chickadees, nuthatches, and sparrows. If you hang it 5 feet above ground, you can successfully repel squirrels.
13. Perky-Pet 334-1SR Squirrel-Be-Gone
Perky-Pet 334- 1SR Squirrel-be-gone is a beautiful bird feeder for small birds or birds with long beaks. It has a locking lid that keeps rain and squirrels out of the feeder. The feed vents are near large perches, making it comfortable for small and large species.
Another squirrel-proof mechanism is its calibrated perch that activates whenever a squirrel's weight lands on the feeder. You can fill it with mixed seeds or safflower seeds. Perky-Pet feeders are resistant to rust and reduce food waste.
14. Vivace Metal Bird Feeder
Vivace, a gardening and home improvement brand, has produced different bird feeders for 20 years. They use sturdy metal and steel to create elegant and unique bird feeders.
It can hold up to 4 pounds of mixed seeds and has a 360° feeding angle. It has four feeding perches and a screw top for hanging. However, you might need to get extra hardware to hang it properly.
15. Kingsyard Squirrel Proof Suet Feeder
The Kingsyard squirrel-proof suet feeder is a full metal feeder with double sections. The metal rims serve as a perch for the birds. Kingsyard specifically designed the suet feeder for small species, keeping squirrels and larger species of birds out.
Birds like pigeons, cowbirds, starlings, and grackles can't access the suet and seed cakes kept inside. It is available in black, brown, and green colors.
16. Woodlink Squirrel Resistant Bird
Woodlink squirrel-resistant feeder is a large bird feeder with a powder-coated steel body. The pole-mounted feeder can hold up to 15 pounds of birdseed. It comes with a metal hanger and a 5 ft mounting hardware.
It responds to squirrels by shutting access to the seed when they step on the wooden perch. This feeder also has an extended roof that prevents the birdseed from getting wet. However, there might be some wastage because the squirrel-proof bird feeder doesn’t have a catch tray. On the bright side, it has an efficient lock clasp that keeps pests away from the seeds.
How To Clean A Squirrel Resistant Bird Feeder
Cleaning your outdoor feeder is easy. First, remove the feeder and empty the leftover seeds. If your feeder has multiple compartments, separate them. Next, use a toothbrush or toothpick to remove seeds from hard-to-reach corners.
Then, wash it with warm water and dish soap. You can also use a brush to scrub the feeder before rinsing it with warm water. Remove all soap residue before leaving all parts to air dry completely. Do not fill birdseed into a damp bird feeder!
Another effective way to clean bird feeders is using a diluted bleach solution. It helps fight against germs that could spread disease among birds. You can dilute bleach in the ratio of one part bleach and nine parts water.
Conclusion: Best Squirrel-proof Bird Feeders
A squirrel-proof bird feeder will benefit your feathered friends by preventing food waste and squirrel robbery. However, it would be best if you took extra precautions.
Make sure you mount the pole at least 5 ft high and not place it within a squirrel’s jumping distance. You can also spray cayenne pepper around the feeder area to chase squirrels away.
Jen’s a passionate environmentalist and sustainability expert. With a science degree from Babcock University Jen loves applying her research skills to craft editorial that connects with our global changemaker and readership audiences centered around topics including zero waste, sustainability, climate change, and biodiversity.
Elsewhere Jen’s interests include the role that future technology and data have in helping us solve some of the planet’s biggest challenges.
Fact Checked By:
Isabela Sedano, BEng.
