Choosing the Right Feeder and Seed 

Picking the Right Feeder for Your Backyard Birds

Birds come in all shapes, sizes, and dietary preferences. Choosing the right feeder can attract a variety of species and create a busy feeding environment. Here are the main types of feeders and the birds they appeal to: 

• Tube Feeders: Perfect for small songbirds like chickadees, finches, and nuthatches. They hold seeds securely and protect them from the elements. 
• Hopper or “House” Feeders: This style of container feeder allows for food to be distributed continuously onto small side areas where birds are able to land and grab seeds. Hopper feeders attract a wide range of birds, including sparrows, cardinals, and grosbeaks. They hold a larger quantity of seed and are ideal for busier feeding areas. There are also hopper feeders available with suet cages attached.  
• Platform Feeders: Best for ground-feeding birds like doves and juncos. However, they require more frequent cleaning since they’re open to rain and droppings. 
• Suet Feeders: Suet cakes attract insect-eating birds such as woodpeckers, wrens, and nuthatches, especially during colder months. Best to offer in cooler weather so it does not become rancid. Suet cakes can be purchased or made.  
• Hummingbird Feeders: Designed specifically for nectar, these feeders bring in hummingbirds (and orioles) with their sugary solution.

Choosing the Best Seed for Your Feathered Friends

The type of seed you offer will determine the species of birds visiting your yard. Some popular options include: 

• Black-Oil Sunflower Seeds: If you’re looking for the seed that will attract the greatest diversity of birds to your feeder, this is the one! A favourite for many species due to their high energy content and easy-to-crack shells. Likely to attract: Chickadees, Nuthatches, Woodpeckers, Cardinals, and Blue Jays.  
• Nyjer Seeds: Tiny seeds perfect for finches and siskins. They’re best used in tube feeders with small openings. These seeds closely resemble those of native hyssop, goldenrod, and coneflower plants. Already have them in your garden? Leave the seed heads all winter for birds to snack on!  
• Peanuts: Offer peanuts shelled or in the shell—larger birds like jays may stash them, while smaller birds like chickadees, nuthatches, and titmice prefer shelled peanuts. Use raw, and avoid salted or flavoured varieties. 
• Suet: Excellent for providing high-energy nutrition, especially in winter for our northern birds! A good option for attracting birds that love insects in their diet.  
• Sugar Water: A hummingbird favourite. The simple recipe of one part sugar to four parts water mimics natural nectar. NEVER use honey or artificial sweeteners. Feeders should be cleaned every time they are refilled, every 2-5 days. Discard and clean immediately at any sign of cloudy water or mould. Check out our full guide for feeding and attracting hummingbirds here. 

Proper Cleaning: The Key to Responsible Bird Feeding 

Dirty feeders can spread diseases among birds, turning your thoughtful feeding into a health hazard. Follow these cleaning guidelines to keep your feathered visitors safe.  

A note about Feeder Placement 

If your feeders and bird baths need to be near a window, distance matters, and closer is better. Placement within 3 m/10 ft of a window means that a bird leaving the feeder can’t gain enough momentum to do harm if it strikes the window. 

Window Markings

You can prevent collisions by making windows visible to birds. Some options include applying markers, or tape spaced in a 5 x 5 cm (2 x 2 in) grid pattern or making DIY Acopian Bird Savers. Note that these solutions must be applied on the outside surface and provide high visual contrast to the glass in order to work. A great example of a product designed to prevent bird collisions with glass is Feather Friendly.