Sunflower of Mixed-Seed Feeder
Sunflower or mixed-seed bird feeders come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The most common construction includes a central seed reservoir with two feeding platforms on either side, all covered by a roof.
Tube Feeder
Tube feeders are commonly filled with thistle seeds (or nyjer seeds) and are used to feed finches and other small songbirds. Tube feeders may be constructed with plastic with several perches, or it may be made of fabric such as nylon.
Hummingbird Feeder
Hummingbirds prefer to feed on nectar. Hummingbird feeders are filled with a sugar-water concoction and may be made of plastic or glass.
Oriole Feeder
Like hummingbirds, orioles prefer to feed on nectar. Though similar in construction to hummingbird feeders, oriole feeders also typically contain areas where you can place fruit, jelly, or meal worms for the birds' consumption.
Bluebird Feeders
Bluebirds tend to be shyer than other songbirds and will often not feed from traditional bird feeders. Feeders that have roofs or other protective shields are more likely to attract bluebirds.
Suet Feeders
In the wintertime, suet, which is rich in fat, is an attractive food source for birds. Suet feeders typically have a "caged" construction that allows birds to peck at the suet cake through its open spaces.
Article Written By Susan Berg
Based in Philadelphia, Susan Berg has more than 10 years of experience as a writer and editor. Her work has been published in both print and online media, including the "Dayton Daily News," BioZine and Wcities. Berg earned a Master of Arts in journalism from Indiana University.
