So long as they’re not after any seeds you’ve planted, it’s always a delight to watch birds visit your garden. And between October and April, when food in the wild is much more scarce, a predictable source of food will be highly appreciated by your feathered visitors.
Feeders come in all shapes and sizes, to cater for all shapes, sizes, species and feeding habits of birds, but to be sure of attracting the widest range and leaving no bird out an all-in-one feeding station is your guarantee of maximum delivery.
So if they want to peck at peanuts, nibble at seed or feast on a fat ball these one-stop solutions have something for every bird.
Skip ahead to our guide to buying a bird feeder
Best bird feeders to buy in 2024
Crocus tree hanging fat ball feeder & satellite fat ball feeder
Best hanging bird feeders
Neat design and natural, classic colours make these bird feeders from Crocus a stylish choice. Featuring large gaps, they work best with chunky food like suet balls (see our favourites in our guide to the best bird food).
You can also buy the slim hanging feeder in 'putty' grey, copper and brass, and the satellite feeder in copper, brass and brushed aluminium.
The Nuttery Helix Seed Feeder
Best squirrel-proof feeder
This smart bird feeder is designed for seed mixes and has enough space inside the helix to allow multiple birds to access the food safely. It should also serve to deter larger animals like squirrels from pinching the contents.
National Trust CJ Wildlife Vierno Diner Feeder
Best ceramic bird feeder
Buy from the National Trust (£10.00)
The simple yet stylish design of this hanging bird feeder makes it easy to clean and refill, but also gives birds easy access to the food. It comes with a sturdy metal hanger for durability.
Pewter Bird Feeding Station
Best multi bird feeder
Sporting an attractive copper finish, this elegant and shapely feeder is both eye-catching and practical. There's a range of hanging loops, as well as a water dish and seed tray.
This is a very sturdy option and it looks smart. Plus all the feeding stations are situated a good distance from the ground to give more protection to the birds.
Large Bempton Bird Table
Best table design
This quaint, wood and copper bird table is perfect if you’re lacking sturdy trees in your garden to hang a bird feeder from, or if you’re looking to adorn a fence or section of latticework. Painted in a verdant green, and with a real copper Verdigris roof, as well as enclosed sides for protection, this bird table provides a safe and easily accessible area for feeding.
RSPB Signpost wooden feeding station
Best alternative bird feeder
Buy from the RSPB (£70.00)
If you’re after something a little different, we love this sturdy, yet stylish feeding station from the RSPB. Designed to replicate a traditional signpost, this feeding station offers four hooks for bird feeders to hang from. It’s a durable option, made in the UK from FSC certified timber and held together by strong bolts.
One up, one down bird feeder
Best contemporary bird feeder
On split levels, this small but multi-use feeder allows room for a birds large and small to graze your winter spread, and the aluminium roof will keep the birds and their food dry.
Simple in design and easy to clean, this feeder would suit an urban garden with less space: a balcony or roof terrace perhaps. Just remember to hang it away from any windows so the birds don't run the risk of flying into them.
Wild Wings Feeding Station
Best elegant bird feeder
One assured way of bringing lots of birds into your garden is by setting up a bird table on your lawn, with several points of access. This shapely feeding station, which will certainly be hard for cats or foxes to climb, stands at 2.4 metres tall and has five feeder arms, a water tray and a seed tray.
In a slate grey, it'll look good in any style of garden and we love the small details, such as the cut out robin perched on the top and the elegant curls of the hooks. A very attractive piece for the birds to dine out on.
Garden Selections Wild Bird Feeding Station
Best practical bird feeder
Buy from Garden Selections (£19.99)
Browse similar designs from Garden Selections
This steel, bronze-finished bird station from Garden Selections will turn your garden into a bustling hangout for your local birds. It features a water tray, four separate feeders and, what the manufacturers delightfully describe as ‘bathing facilities’. Seriously, you might want to start charging admission.
Kingfisher Bronze Copper Effect Solar Powered Bird Hotel
Best designer bird feeder
A 'hotel' is a great way to describe this rather grand feeding station. It has a bird bath, bird feeder, garden light and built in planter, so you can add a plantsman's touch.
It is quite lightweight so you will need to find a way of holding it in place in winter, but the copper finish is resistant to all extremes of weather and temperatures. It looks the part for a fraction of the price.
Finches Friend Cleaner Feeder
Best bird feeder for cleaning
Buy from Finches Friend (£44.99)
Finches Friend bird feeders have been specifically created to make cleaning easy, which is vital to stop the spread of disease in garden birds. With greenfinches on the Red List and chaffinches in dramatic decline, improving hygiene in wild bird feeding is hugely important.
The Finches Friend Cleaner Feeder 1 features a single chamber and holds up to 1.79 litres of bird food (sunflower hearts are recommended) – more than the capacity of a standard feeder. It weighs 1.2kg empty and 2.4kg full.
The clever design separates the feed store from where the birds perch to eat. It features a unique, removable, enclosed feed station which minimises wastage and enables easier cleaning. The innovative design also protects the feed from the elements and ensures that it always stays clean, dry and safe, thanks to a water drainage system. A 360-degree feeding station allows multiple birds to feed at once, whilst a narrowed feeding tray make it inaccessible to larger birds such as crows.
Made in Britain, Finches Friend Feeders are a sustainable choice that are built to last. Using components and packaging that are fully recyclable, they are made from durable, UV-stabilised polycarbonate that won't weaken or discolour in the sun.
How to choose a bird feeder
If you enjoy watching birds in your garden, a bird feeder can be a great addition to your outdoor space. Here's what you need to know about choosing the right feeder for your feathered friends:
Seed feeder
A seed feeder is the most common type of bird feeder and is suitable for attracting a variety of birds such as finches, sparrows, and cardinals. When choosing a seed feeder, look for one that has multiple feeding ports and can hold enough seed for at least a day or two. Avoid feeders with a small capacity or those that are difficult to clean.
Nut feeder
If you want to attract birds that prefer nuts and seeds such as woodpeckers and nuthatches, then a nut feeder is a good choice. Look for a feeder with a wire mesh that can hold peanuts, almonds, and other nuts securely. Choose a feeder that has a durable construction and is easy to refill and clean.
Suet feeder
Suet feeders are designed for birds that like to feed on fat and protein-rich food such as woodpeckers, nuthatches, and blue jays. Look for a suet feeder that is sturdy and weather-resistant. Choose a feeder that has a cage or mesh design to hold the suet in place and prevent it from falling out.
Ground feeder
A ground feeder is suitable for birds that prefer to feed on the ground, such as doves and sparrows. Look for a ground feeder that is easy to clean and has a mesh bottom to allow rainwater to drain out. Avoid feeders that are too deep or too shallow, as they can be difficult for birds to access.
When choosing a bird feeder, consider the type of birds you want to attract and the size of your garden. Ensure that the feeder is made of durable materials and is easy to clean and refill. With the right feeder, you can create an inviting environment for birds and enjoy watching them from the comfort of your own home. If you've got your eye on a particular bird feeder, why not check out the best bird feed to fill it with?
Where is the best place to put bird feeders?
You’ll want to put your feeder in a sheltered place that is difficult for cats, squirrels, rats and other pests to access. Birds will avoid your feeder if they see any predators near it. Hanging feeders can be attached to tree branches clear of the ground, but you should still make sure there aren’t any nearby branches that might allow pests to bother your birds. Bird tables are best erected on a tall post that keeps them well clear of the ground
Looking for bird tables? See our pick of the best bird tables to buy this year.