Feed the birds not the squirrels with these great squirrel proof bird feeders!
Feeding birds can be a wonderful experience, however not when the bird feeders are constantly raided by squirrels and you are left with no feed for the birds! This can be frustrating and also end up being quite an expensive problem. Luckily there are a range of bird feeders on the market that are built specifically to be squirrel proof.
So to avoid losing all your bird seed to squirrels, lets take a look at some of the different styles of squirrel proof bird feeders available.
Our squirrel proof bird feeder comparisons and top picks
Best Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders Reviews 2020
Droll Yankees Yankee Flipper Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder
We want to start our list by reviewing the squirrel-proof bird feeder by the brand Droll Yankees. The brand has been manufacturing bird feeders since 1969, so it would not be wrong to assume that the brand is well aware of what it is doing. This bird feeder does a great job of depicting what the brand manufactures. This birdfeeder is a motorized birdfeeder that allows birds to feed while also preventing squirrels from getting in and having a meal quickly. Since this is a tube-style feeder, it has a very long and sleek design. This makes it hard for squirrels to hang on this bird feeder and reach down the seed ports.
Moreover, as soon as a squirrel jumps on the feeder’s perches, the feeder will start spinning. Due to this, the squirrel will start panicking and run for his life. The feeder has weight triggers that would cause it to spin only when a squirrel steps on it, and not just birds. The feeder is equipped with four feeding ports, all of which can be easily accessed from one of the perch’s rings. Though the seed capacity of this bird feeder is not that impressive. With only 5 pounds of seed capacity, you would find yourself filling it again and again.
What we like
- Weight triggers
- Affordable price
- Long length
What we don't like
- Low seed capacity
Squirrel Buster Standard Squirrel-proof Bird Feeder
While there are a lot of exciting features about this birdfeeder, lifetime guarantee takes the cake. This means that you would only need to spend money on it once in your life. You can get it serviced whenever there is a problem with it for free. Talking about exciting features, this product is ultimately squirrel proof. Whenever the feeder senses an adult squirrel, it would close its shroud and this, preventing any squirrels from having a meal.
All the parts of feeders which are exposed to squirrels are manufactured from chew proof materials. Installing this birdfeeder is also very easy. You can easily dismantle the parts without having to look for tools. The dismantling feature can come in handy when you are looking to clean the birdfeeder. With the seed ventilation system, you would not need to worry about the seeds getting old. They would always remain fresh, and the birds would have a great time enjoying the seeds. One major flaw in this birdfeeder is the shroud mechanism. After repeated assaults by squirrels, it may not work efficiently.
What we like
- Seed ventilation system
- Speed saver technology
- Chew proof materials
What we don't like
- The shroud mechanism might not durable
Squirrel Solution200 Squirrel-proof Bird Feeder
The next product on our list is also by the same brand, Brome. But again, considering the brand’s excellent reputation, this should not come as a surprise. This bird feeder does not come with any hanging hardware, so you would need to find a branch or something else to hang it on. It has a reasonably loud packaging, but it works excellent when preventing squirrels from eating the meals. Even removing all the packaging would give you an attractive bird feeder.
Just like the previous bird feeder, this product also closes the seed port as soon as it detects an adult squirrel. Although it denies access to seeds, it never harms the squirrel while doing so. Moreover, with six feeding ports, a lot of birds can feed at one time. One feature we were not a fan of this bird feeder was that you could not use seeds that are too small in size. If you use small seeds, they may fall on the ground from the feeding ports.
What we like
- It has a robust build
- Six feeding ports
- Squirrels are not harmed in any way
What we don't like
- Small seeds can fall through
Squirrel-X Squirrel Proof Double Suet Feeder
If you have been looking for a durable squirrel proof bird feeder, then you might find this next feeder interesting. It is manufactured from durable metal, so it is capable of serving and functioning well for a long time. It has a metal cage that prevents squirrels from getting in, but birds would have no trouble getting in to have a meal. Since the feeder is equipped with a double locking system, the seed would be perfectly secured.
While other types of feeders can accommodate different kinds of seeds, this one can only harbour suet cakes. The steel lid of the cage is equipped with two suet feeders from where the birds can eat two pieces of suet cakes. Apart from the functionality of the feeder, another place where it excels is the design. As it has a neutral colour, it can perfectly complement any place where you will be hanging it- be it your small garden or a backyard. Since it has a clear design, you can easily identify the seed levels.
What we like
- Well-built squirrel proof feeder
- Equipped with two suet feeders
- Ideal for small birds
What we don't like
- Large birds may have a hard time getting out of the cage
Audubon Bird’s Delight Squirrel Resistant Bird Feeder
The last birdfeeder we would like to discuss is by the brand Heritage Farms. While the odd design of this bird feeder might put you off initially, but once you look at its exciting features, you would not find it as weird. Like most of the birdfeeders on this list, this one also has a weight mechanism. As soon as a squirrel jumps on this feeder, it would restrict access for squirrels. The bird feeder is capable of storing 9 pounds of seeds. Shaped like a house, the roof provides a great way to save the seeds when it is raining.
Moreover, you would not need to worry about the seeds going to waste. It is equipped with a saver baffle that prevents the seeds from falling over. It is manufactured from long-lasting powder coated and a steel body that makes it durable. The powder-coated is chew-resistant. You can easily hang it from a branch of a tree or a pole mount. It comes with a pole mounting hardware and a hanger.
What we like
- Lightweight
- Comes completely assembled
- Capable of keeping a lot of seeds
What we don't like
- It may not hang as steadily as it should
A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing the Best Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder
Even with the best options laid right in front of you, it can be hard to choose just one squirrel proof bird feeder. We understand how overwhelming it can be. But to help you with that, we are going to narrow it down to some factors that you should consider before buying a bird feeder. One look at them and hopefully, it would be easier for you to make a decision. Let’s have a look at those factors:
Chew proof
Squirrels are smart animals. They are going to do everything in their power to get to the seeds they see inside the container. So one of the most important factors before buying a bird feeder is chew proof. One right way of telling that is finding out whether the feeder you are going to buy is manufactured from plastic or metal. Usually, metal or steel construction is better than plastic. Squirrels may be smart, but their teeth are not strong enough to chew through metal. After a few tries, they will give up on the seeds and leave them alone.
Prevent small squirrels
There are a lot of bird feeders that have weight sensors. As soon as they detect squirrels, they start rotating or prevent the squirrels from getting to the seeds. While this feature is undoubtedly impressive, it is only for big squirrels. There are a lot of small squirrels that weigh the same as birds. They would have easy access to the seeds as they do not weigh the same as large squirrels. Though you should not worry about the small squirrels as they are not as troublesome as large ones, you should still look for a birdfeeder that is better equipped with handling little squirrels.
Seed ventilation system
A good ventilation system is critical as it can keep the seeds fresh for a more extended amount of time. This can be especially helpful for those who have placed their bird feeder outdoors. When the weather gets hot, or it starts raining, the seeds will begin rotting since there is limited air circulation. Along with ruining the food for birds, this will also begin to produce a foul smell which would drive the hummingbirds away. That is why you need to look for a bird feeder that has a proper ventilation system. A sound ventilation system is capable of extracting humid air from the chamber and allowing fresh air to come in.
Seed capacity
Another vital factor to consider is the seed capacity of the birdfeeder. If you intend to hang the feeder at a place with a lot of birds, then you need a bird feeder with a vast seed capacity. It also depends on the type of bird seeds you plan to fill your feeder with. For instance, the container would hold less of bird seeds that are larger as compared to small bird seeds. Brands always include the details of seed capacity on the packaging of the feeder. Make sure to check that before you purchase one.
Durability
This goes without saying, but you need a bird feeder that you can depend on, for years to come. You don’t want to end up with a feeder that is going to stop functioning in just a few months. Bird feeders happen to be unique products. People usually hang them outside where they are exposed to different kinds of weather, including heat, snow, rain and strong winds. Moreover, sometimes insects start crawling on them too. Keeping all these factors in view, you need to look for a feeder that would not leave your side. If you don’t want to keep spending money on your feeder again and again, then you should consider investing one time up-front. Make sure to check the material and coating of the feeder.
Material
A lot of times, the durability of a feeder depends on the material it is manufactured out of. While it matters for the strength, it also accounts for the weight of the feeder. For all reasons, you should buy a feeder that is manufactured out of metal. A squirrel would not have a hard time chewing through plastic, but the same cannot be said if it is made out of metal. But one disadvantage of having a feeder made out of metal is the weight. If you like to change places of your feeder quite often, then it would be easier for you to move a plastic bird feeder as opposed to a feeder made out of metal.
Functionality
The whole reason why you searched for this article is that you want a bird feeder that can prevent the birds from getting in. If a feeder does a lousy job at keeping them at bay, then you would have wasted your energy along with your money. Reading reviews is an excellent way of getting to know more about the feeder. Different brands have different methods of keeping squirrels away. Some feeders are equipped with a motor that starts spinning as soon as it detects a squirrel while others shut the perch so the squirrels cannot get their hands on the seed. It depends on your personal preference as to which technique you find more suitable.
Finish
There are a few options when it comes to the finish of the bird feeder. A lot of people don’t consider finish an essential factor, but if you want to make sure that the feeder remains in good condition, then you need to pay attention. If you choose to get a metal feeder, you need to pay attention to the finish as it will determine whether the feeder will develop rust or start corroding shortly. Though the primary purpose of the feeder might be keeping the squirrels away while feeding birds, you don’t want a bird feeder that sticks out like a sour thumb in your backyard. For this reason, you should make sure that the feeder you are going to buy has an attractive finish.
