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Platform Bird Feeder – Just One Of the Options

A platform bird feeder will attract the most types of birds and the largest numbers but they are just one option of three popular choices. Platform feeders have a removable metal bottom that’s perforated for proper drainage and easy cleaning.

This style of feeder allows you to offer any type of product – fresh fruit, bird seed, or whatever else you decide to feed the birds. Let’s try to keep it healthy.

No matter what type of feeder you decide on try to stick with wood which is not only more durable it is actually preferred by the birds. Remember to cover with stain or paint to protect from moisture.

If you do choose a plastic feeder make sure that it is well constructed and reinforced around the feeding ports so the squirrels stay away. Good strong construction is important no matter what style of feeder you pick.

There are three basic feeder types that are popular. The platform already discussed, the hopper, and the tube. All feeders should be easy to clean no mater what design or style they are.

Hopper Feeders
There are many different styles of hopper feeders with the most basic looking a little like a miniature barn. This style holds a lot of seed so you don’t have to fill it daily. The roof lifts off and it’s a snap to fill. Available in just about any size you can think of and you can hang them on a pole, in a tree, or mount them.

The doves grosbeaks, jays, woodpeckers, and cardinals all love them. In fact big and small birds all like this style of feeder.

Tube Feeders
Are a long cylinder tube with perches along the base at the feed ports. The squirrels aren’t usually able to steal the seed in this style feeder. Woodland birds like the chickadee, woodpecker, finch, titmice, and nuthatches all use this type of feeder while the larger birds like carnivals avoid it. They are commonly filled with sunflower seeds.

Platform Feeder
Which me mentioned right at the beginning. This is a flat box style feeder that can be hung, set on the ground, or placed on legs. They are perfect for ground feeders like juncos, doves, and sparrows as well as a variety of other birds.

And then there are specialized feeders that are designed for specific types of birds. For example an oriole or a hummingbird feeder is considered a specialized feeder. If you want to attract a specific bird you need to know what the birds like which foods and what type of feeders.

Bluebirds
Eat orange, nut, and apple treats and suet cake. Use a fruit feeder or platform feeder.
Cardinals
Eat black oil sunflower seeds and peanuts. Use a hopper, tube, or platform feeder.
Cedar Waxwings
Eat oranges, apples, and nut treats. Use a fruit or platform feeder.
Chickadees
Eat black oil sunflower seeds, peanuts, and suet cakes. Use a hopper, tube, or platform feeder. A suet cake feeder is also an option.
Doves
Eat cracked corn, peanuts, and millet seed. Use a platform or tube feeder.
Finches
Eat black oil sunflower seeds, thistle seed, peanuts, and suet cakes. Use a hopper, tube, or platform feeder.
Hummingbirds
Eat nectar and need a nectar feeder.
Jays
Eat orange and apple treats, nuts, suet cakes, and cracked corn. Use a fruit feeder, tube, or platform feeder.
Mockingbirds
Eat orange and apple treats, nuts, suet cakes, and cracked corn. Use a fruit feeder, tube, or platform feeder. Use a fruit feeder, tube, or platform feeder.
Orioles
Eat orange and apple treats, nuts, and nectar. Use a fruit feeder, nectar feeder, or a platform feeder.
Redpolls
Eat black oil sunflower seeds and use tube feeders.
Siskins
Eat black oil sunflower seeds and thistle seeds. Use a tube or platform feeder.
Sparrows
Eat black oil sunflower seeds, cracked corn, millet seed, thistle seed, and peanuts. Use a hopper feeder, tube feeder, or platform feeder.
Starlings
Eat cracked corn and millet seed. Use a platform feeder or tube feeder.
Woodpeckers
Eat orange, apple, and nut treats, black oil sunflower seeds, and suet cakes. Use a fruit feeder, suet cake feeder, or the platform feeder.
Wrens
eat suet cakes and use a suet cake feeder.
Yellow Breasted Chats
Eat orange, apple, and nut treats, black oil sunflower seeds, and suet cakes. Use a fruit feeder or the platform feeder.

Whether you feed in the winter, summer, or all year round you should be consistent with your feeding schedule. Your birds will begin to rely on the feeder as a food source and so it’s only right that you are consistent about providing the feed. It is especially important in the winter to make sure the feeders are never empty.

Most wild birds are attracted to the platform bird feeder. In fact birds that won’t use other styles will use this style. Chickadees, cardinals, turfted titmice, painted buntings, juncos, sparrows, doves, and the list goes on.

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