As we enter the colder months, well-stocked bird feeders help to supplement birds’ food when it's in short supply. High-fat foods and water are in need during this time so adding a bird feeder to your garden can vastly increase the number of birds you will see.
If you're regularly topping up the bird feeder, the same birds will continue to return as they learn your garden is a good source of food. Specialist bird cakes, seeds and the likes of mealworms and flaked maize are all good options and supplying a variety of foods is a good way of attracting a range of bird species to your garden.
But bird feeders are not only important for the winter. In the warmer months, birds will have new chicks and a consistent food supply will help ensure they're raised successfully.

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There's a wide range of bird feeders on the market in a host of different styles and designs. Some offer additional features such as squirrel proofing and have a larger cage around the central feeder to stop them reaching the bird food. This can prevent larger birds eating the food, too. Other garden bird feeders can be attached to windows to allow you to get closer to the birds; a great way to start teaching children about nature around our homes.


For other ways to look after the birds in your garden, read our guides to bird seed, bird tables and bird baths. If you'd like to watch birds, check out our guides on wildlife cameras and bird box cameras.

And if you want to encourage more wildlife to visit your garden, take a look at our selection of bat boxes and hedgehog houses, or be inspired by our guide to wildlife gifts.


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Browse our pick of bird feeders, below:


The best bird feeders

Finches Friend Cleaner Feeder 1

Finches Friend Cleaner Feeder 1 product for Gardeners' World Magazine

Created to help prevent the spread of avian diseases, such as Trichomonosis, responsible for the decline in Chaffinch and Greenfinch, this easy clean feeder is simple to take apart, robust and fully recyclable. It holds 1.79l of food, more than a standard feeder, and it always stays clean and dry. Three sizes and a window feeder are available.

Price: £44.99

Buy Finches Friend cleaner feeder from Finches Friend


Roamwild Pest Off Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder

Roamwild Pest Off Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder – BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine

Roamwild Pest Off Squirrel Proof Bird FeederTo stop squirrels and large birds eating the food, the hatch automatically moves down blocking it off when they land on the perch. Once they leave, the perch returns to normal. The 1.5 litre feeder from Roamwild also has a built-in rain guard to prevent seeds clogging.

Price: £34.99

Buy Roamwild Pest Off Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder at Amazon

Buy Roamwild Pest Off Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder at Roamwild


Jacobi Jayne I love Robins Pearl Feeder

Jacobi Jayne I love Robins Pearl Feeder – BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine
Jacobi Jayne I love Robins Pearl Feeder

The dome shape of the I Love Robins feeder protects the food and birds from snow and rain. The height can be adjusted to dissuade larger birds and the feeding tray has draining holes to prevent the seeds from becoming waterlogged.

Price: £12.99

Buy Jacobi Jayne I Love Robins Pearl Feeder at Amazon


Ring Pull Large Bird Feeder

Ring-Pull Large Bird Feeder – BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine
Ring-Pull Large Bird Feeder

Able to hold 800g of seeds, this Ring-Pull bird feeder has six feeding ports so that multiple birds can perch at the same time. The base can be removed for easy cleaning and for a deep clean, a pin inside the feeder can be pulled to separate all the individual components.

Price: £19.99

Buy Ring-Pull Large Bird Feeder at Amazon, and Thompson & Morgan


Wildlife World Ceramic Bird Feeder

2048-1365-gw-bird-feeders-Wildlife-World-Ceramic-Bird-Feeder

This small bird feeder comes in the sweet design of a ceramic robin. Suitable for seeds, nuts and mealworms, this Wildlife World feeder is frost resistant and is hung with a strong steel wire.

Price: £12.17

Buy Wildlife World Ceramic Robin Feeder at Amazon


RSPB Suet Feeder and Guardian

RSPB Suet Feeder and Guardian – BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine
RSPB Suet Feeder and Guardian

The guardian on this suet feeder ensures that only small birds get to enjoy up to 10 suet balls. Measuring 30cm tall and 24cm wide, this feeder is small enough to find a place in any garden.

Price: £27

Buy RSPB Suet Feeder and Guardian at RSPB


RSPB Easy-clean Seed Feeder

RSPB Ultimate Easy-clean Seed Feeder – BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine
RSPB Ultimate Easy-clean Seed Feeder

Made from a combination of durable zinc alloy and a polycarbonate tube, the RSPB guarantee it will not crack or discolour in the sun. Available in three sizes, with the largest able to hold 1.5 litres of feed.

Price: £10.99

Buy RSPB Ultimate Easy-clean Seed Feeder at RSPB


RSPB Ultimate Easy-clean Seed Feeder and Guardian

RSPB Ultimate Easy-clean Seed Feeder and Guardian – BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine
RSPB Ultimate Easy-clean Seed Feeder and Guardian

The guardian on this RSPB feeder is fitted by slipping it over the polycarbonate tube and screwing it into place. Complete with a seed tray to reduce the amount of food on the ground. The capacity is one litre.

Price: £46.98

Buy RSPB Ultimate Easy-clean Seed Feeder and Guardian at RSPB


RSPB Squirrel Buster Mini Seed Feeder

RSPB Squirrel Buster Mini Seed Feeder – BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine
RSPB Squirrel Buster Mini Seed Feeder

This feeder has an internal weight-activated mechanism that covers the ports whenever a squirrel arrives. The mesh design suits birds that cling or perch and the feeder comes with a two-year manufacturer's warranty.

Price: £34.99

Buy RSPB Squirrel Buster Mini Seed Feeder at RSPB


Roamwild Arch Window Bird Feeder

Roamwild Arch Window Bird Feeder – BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine
Roamwild Arch Window Bird Feeder

With the ability to hold up to two litres of seed mix, this Roamwild feeder doesn't need constant refilling. Multiple perches allow more than one bird to feed at once and suction cups keep the feeder secure to the window.

Price: £34.99

Buy Roamwild Arch Window Bird Feeder at Roamwild

Buy Roamwild Arch Window Bird Feeder at Amazon


Gardman Heavy Duty Squirrel Proof Seed Bird Feeder

Gardman heavy duty squirrel proof fat snax bird feeder
Gardman heavy duty squirrel proof fat snax bird feeder

Covered in an antibacterial coating the feeder reduces the risk of spreading avian diseases — which can be transmitted at feeding sites. The cast cage of the feeder prevents large birds and squirrels eating the food and it holds up to 500g of seeds.

Price: £24.79

Buy Gardman Heavy Duty Squirrel Proof Seed Feeder at Amazon


Nature's Hangout Window Bird Feeder

Clear window bird feeder
Clear window bird feeder

Fitted with a removable tray, the feeder is quick and easy to clean. Made from transparent acrylic, suction cups secure it to the window allowing you to watch the birds close up from the comfort of your home.

Price: £15.99

Buy Nature's hangout Window Bird Feeder at Amazon


How to choose a bird feeder

Choosing a bird feeder largely depends on two elements; what birds you are looking to attract and the size and layout of your garden.

There are four main types of garden feeders you can buy.

  • Seed feeders: A hanging seed feeder can attract a range of small birds including sparrows, tits and finches. These can come in a variety of sizes and are typically made of plastic or metal.
  • Ground feeders: A ground level feeder can be the preferred choice for birds such as blackbirds and wrens. Not ideal for a small garden as the table needs to be kept away from shrubbery where cats may be lurking. Read more tips on deterring cats from your garden.
  • Nut feeders: Known to attract tits and woodpeckers, nut feeders are made from metal mesh. This mesh needs to be a specific size (approximately 6mm) to be safe. If it is too small, it can damage birds’ beaks but it needs to be small enough to stop birds removing large peanut chunks.
  • Suet feeders: Popular with tits and starlings, suet feeders are made from wide metal mesh to give the birds purchase while they eat. Available in a range of sizes, the feeders will hold either suet cakes or balls.

If you’re in need of more advice on how or what to feed the birds in your garden, head to the RSPB website or take a look at more of our bird feeding content.


Where to put a bird feeder

Keeping away predators will be your main consideration when hanging your feeder in the garden. Bird feeders need to be kept out of reach from squirrels and cats for birds to feel safe.

Aim for a quiet and sheltered area and away from any tree, fence or shrub that could be used as a jumping point for either animal. At eye level, or a little above, is best.

Grey squirrels are not only known for eating the food, but can also damage feeders by chewing through the plastic. Some feeders now claim to be squirrel proof as they are either covered in a metal casing the animals cannot chew through or surrounded by a large cage, which is placed around the central feeder.


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This Product Guide was last updated in November 2022 and we apologise if anything has changed in price or availability.

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