Owning a bird feeder is pretty exciting, and it also is the perfect way to bring birds to your garden throughout the year.
Imagine being able to wake up to birds singing outside your window. Most feeders are transparent, so you can witness them enjoying their meals and chirping away while you go about the day’s work.
This is also a great way to observe birds from up close and you might be able to click pictures too. You’ll be able to capture tons of images of them in their natural habitat. Plus, most of these feeders are designed beautifully and will add to the ambiance.
Hi! I am Stacy Smith, and today, I have reviewed the 5 best bird feeder for cardinals to help you find the perfect one. All the pros and cons have also been listed for you to make an informed choice.
So, dive in!
Top 5 Bird Feeder For Cardinals
1. Nature’s Hangout Window Bird Feeder
If you are looking for a transparent feeder that will allow you to watch birds from inside the house, then this is a brilliant option. The Nature’s Hangout Window Bird Feeder is a beautiful product that will let you enjoy nature and its beauty without binoculars.
Product Highlights
This is a large bird feeder with a dimension of 11.8 x 5 x 4 inches. I was able to assemble it by myself, and it is pretty easy to do so. Also, when it comes to cleaning, you can take it apart, clean and then put it back together.
Considering the large size, this can hold up to 4 cups of feed at one time. This will prevent you from having to fill it with feed constantly. The feed should suffice for a few days at a stretch.
Coming to the body, it is weatherproof and made of 100% acrylic. No amount of water and snow will damage the surface, and it is mold-free too. I have been using it for months now, and there is no sign of damage. Birds can take shelter in this when it rains or snows because of the top cover over the feeder.
What’s There To Like About It?
The mounting process is usually the most important part, as you need to be able to keep it in the right place. This one is extremely easy to mount, and you can do it on any clean window which does not have a screen.
Once fixed, you do not have to take it out every time the tray has to be filled with feed. The tray is removable, and you can allow the rest of this feeder to remain in its place.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
The only issue I had with this brand is the customer service. I was facing some issues with fixing the suction cups to my window and then tried calling them up. However, my call never reached through, and the line went blank. I had to read up online and adjust the cups myself.
Pros and Cons of Nature’s Hangout Window Bird Feeder
Pros
Cons
- Extremely Durable: Nature’s Hangout’s window bird feeders for viewing is made of ¼ inch premium grade cast acrylic, the thickest and strongest you can find. Built to withstand the elements, it ensures years of birdwatching enjoyment, right out of the box.
- A Thoughtful & Unique Gift: Bring the joy of up-close birdwatching to any home! Perfect bird watching gifts for bird lovers, nature enthusiasts, our elders or even pets. This bird feeder gift idea brings curious birds inches away.
- Lifetime Suction Guarantee: Our clear window bird feeder Includes 3 ultra-strong suction cups to use right away, plus 3 extras, because we know life happens! Our patented ECOSTRONG technology keeps your bird feeder for window securely in place.
2. Brome Standard Squirrel-proof Bird Feeder
Do you have lots of squirrels in your area? The next product will help in preventing them from eating up the feed. The Brome Standard Squirrel-proof Bird Feeder is the perfect solution, and it is backed by a lifetime warranty.
Product Highlights
The product is protected from all kinds of garden animals, including rodents and squirrels. The weight of a squirrel will lead to the closing of feeding ports, and it will not be getting access to it. Once the squirrel moves, the port opens up for the birds to feed.
Also, it has a clearance of 18 inches on all sides preventing cats from reaching it too. Not only that, the material is chew-proof so squirrels can't chew it at all. This makes it more durable, and it will work for a long time.
Plus, it comes equipped with a seed ventilation system that keeps seeds fresh for long. You can easily leave it for a week without worrying that the food will decay, thanks to this.
What’s more, the assembly and dismantling process is simple, and you will not need any additional tools. Clean it at intervals, and you should be good-to-go.
What’s There To Like About It?
The best part about purchasing this product is that it comes with a lifetime warranty. That means the brand guarantees to provide service in case of malfunctions at any point in time. You should ideally never have to throw this away.
It is also equipped with a patented adjustable spring mechanism, which will let you determine the kind of birds that feed on it. This way, you can prevent big birds from eating away everything and let the smaller ones feed as well.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
While this one works perfectly for dry food, it will not function well with chunky food. This is true because the feeding hole is very tiny, and chunky food might block the mouth completely. As a result, it may prevent birds from being able to eat from the feeding hole.
Pros and Cons of Brome Standard Squirrel-proof Bird Feeder
Pros
Cons
- Durable, squirrel proof bird feeder
- Reservoir holds 0.75 quarts of seed
- Bottom perches allow birds to sit and dine
3. Twinkle Star Wild Bird Feeder
If you are looking for a well-designed product, then the Twinkle Star Wild Bird Feeder will meet your needs well. It is made of plastic with a slanting cover on top, making it look like a tiny house. I was very happy with the overall design and efficiency that it boasts of.
Product Highlights
First of all, it has a very large capacity and can hold 2.15 lbs of food. You can use it to fill up with various seeds, which will attract birds for sure. Safflower seeds, and black oil sunflower seeds are perfectly sized to fit into this feeder, and these will attract blue birds, finched, and starlings, to name a few.
Coming to the design, you can easily open the top, which is equipped with a twist-lock cover. This lid can be safely placed and twisted after you have filled it. And because the sides are transparent, you can see how much seed is left from inside the house itself.
Moving on to the feeding process, it has 6 sides allowing birds to eat at the same time peacefully. There is also enough area for the birds to sit comfortably and enjoy their meal.
What’s There To Like About It?
This is the perfect medium-sized feeder that can feed small birds. I was very happy with the proper location of feed ports as birds could easily find it. Within a day, my garden was filled with birds, thanks to this unit.
Also, the body is very easy to clean. You will only need soap and water, and that should do the job. I would suggest cleaning every week to maintain it well.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
Since the entire body is small, this product is not suitable for feeding big birds. They will not be able to sit comfortably or feed out of the small ports. So, I will recommend this for small birds, and there should be no more problems after that. Other than this, there are no issues with the product.
Pros and Cons of Twinkle Star Wild Bird Feeder
Pros
Cons
- PLASTIC CLASSIC BIRD FEEDER -Attract birds searching for food. Let birds inhabit and enjoy seed food, then you could view different birds from windows, decks or terraces.
- CONSIDERATE DESIGN - Comes fully assembled and ready to hang. With its hexagon shape, the bird feeder for outdoors features an inclined roof to shade birds from the sun and rain. When the seeds are eaten, more seeds will naturally fill the tray.
- LARGE CAPACITY - Holds up to 2.15 lb of seeds. It could be filled with a variety of seeds to attract birds, such as black oil sunflower seeds, safflower seeds to attract red finches, tits, house finches, birds, blue birds, warblers, starlings and more!
4. SAND MINE Panorama Bird Feeder
Up next is a brilliantly designed gazebo styled product that will add to the aesthetics of your front or backyard. The SAND MINE Panorama Bird Feeder is designed to be part of the décor while it also feeds and provides shade to birds.
Product Highlights
This one comes with a large capacity and can hold up to 2.6 lbs of bird feed at one time. The design is attractive to blue birds, finches, warblers, and starlings, to name a few, and hence you should keep seeds according to that.
Secondly, it comes fully assembled, and you will not have to spend any time putting it together. Just take it out of the package and hang it wherever you wish to. I will suggest the front porch or patio be a great place for hanging it.
Also, it comes with a twist-lock cover that will keep the lid shut at all times. However, it is easy to open, and you can then refill the feeder.
Adding on, the locking cap will shut off if squirrels reach the feeder. It is designed to open as soon as the squirrel leaves again. This will keep the food safe for the birds.
What’s There To Like About It?
First of all, it ensures 360-degree feeding, and multiple birds can eat from it at the same time. If you have a large number of birds flying in your yard, this might be very helpful. Also, there is enough area for them to rest after their feed.
Furthermore, I found this to be a very durable product, and the transparent walls had no signs of wear and tear even after using it for months.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
Some birds may not be able to find the feeding ports easily. For such cases, it is best to keep it in the open with enough light. That might assist them, and once some birds start feeding, others will follow. I found it slightly difficult in the beginning to get birds to find the recessed ports, but then it did work well.
Pros and Cons of SAND MINE Panorama Bird Feeder
Pros
Cons
- DURABLE BIRD FEEDER - Gazebo-style design bird feeder is constructed of heavy-duty plastic for long lasting use.
- WHIMSICAL DESIGN - Beautiful gazebo design, features an inclined roof to shade birds from the sun and rain. Tray style feeding port and circular perch lets birds feed from all angles.
- LARGE CAPACITY - Bird feeder can accommodate up to 2.6 lb of all varieties of wild bird seeds to attract red finches, tits, house finches, birds, blue birds, warblers, starlings and more!
5. Woodlink Deluxe Cedar Bird Feeder
I was looking for a wooden feeder for my front porch when I came across the Woodlink Deluxe Cedar Bird Feeder. It is designed like a small wooden house, and it even has railings on both sides. My children seem to love this the most; they say it looks like a small dollhouse.
Product Highlights
This is a handcrafted product that is made of reforested dried kiln along with inland red cedar. It sports a polycarbonate window that keeps the seeds safe by forming a seed hopper. I found the ranch-style design and the basket on both ends to be perfect for attracting wild birds.
What’s more, there is ample space for 5 pounds of mixed seeds, so you will not need to fill it very often. There are 2 sides with baskets that let you feed a number of birds at the same time.
To add on, it sports an anodized roof hinge made of aluminum, which is sturdy and will shut off securely at all times. Opening it is super easy, and you can fill and clean it without any issues. The construction and built quality of this product surely stand out from among the rest.
What’s There To Like About It?
The feeder comes with an attached cable on top that will make it easy for you to hang it. It also provides a lot of space for the birds to perch and relax, while the roof on top protects them from external conditions like rain and snow.
Also, if you think it is difficult to clean because of its wooden construction, do not worry at all. This will last you for long and is very easy to clean.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
The one problem with this product is that sparrows and similar-sized birds can get trapped in the cage-like fence on both sides. This occurred with me once, and I had to free the birds by taking apart the feeder. I really wish the brand looks into this flaw and fixes it.
Pros and Cons of Woodlink Deluxe Cedar Bird Feeder
Pros
Cons
- Hopper style wood feeder with 2 suet cages
- Feeder has clear windows and roof has hinges for easy cleaning and filling
- Holds up to 5-pound of mixed seed and two suet cakes
Buyers Guide
Bird feeders can be set up in summers and winters, depending on the number of birds that come to your house. In summers, you can even add a birdbath beside it. This will allow you to capture them while they enjoy a bath, and you can take amazing photographs. They will be happy too while feeding and drinking from the same place.
Having said that, there are a few other considerations that you should know about before making a purchase. I will list them down here to help you make an informed decision.
1. Materials Used
The materials that are used to make a feeder are very important because they provide strength. I will ask you to choose metal or plastic for the best results. Ensure that the transparent walls on the sides are made of thick plastic, which will not show signs of wear and tear. Since birds might peck on the body, it has to be strong enough to resist scratches.
Also, water, snow, and humidity are major issues that could lead to damage. If you are using a wooden product, it is best to store it inside in case of heavy rain. Wood soaks up some amount of water, and you wouldn’t want it to corrode fast.
2. Ease Of Use
The product should be easy to use, and that includes the assembly process too. You will need to clean the interior every week and this should not be very time-consuming. The top lid should be easy to open, or you should be able to take out the feeding tray without any hassle.
I prefer lids that can be twisted to open and close. This is the easiest mechanism by far. Also, there should be enough space for birds to perch by the feeding ports. That will also make them more comfortable so that they can relax for some time post-feeding.
3. Size
This will depend on the kind of birds that you plan to feed. If you are only planning to cater to small birds or you do not have a large number of them coming to the yard, a small one should suffice.
But I will recommend opting for a bigger one as they are easier to manage and maintain. You can fill it up with seeds and keep it for a week. It will not need constant filling, and that would save you time. Also, a larger product is easier to clean as you can reach all the corners efficiently without needing thin brushes.
4. Edges
Once you receive a product, check for rough or sharp edges. A bird might get hurt if there are sharp edges, especially when it is windy outside. Always ensure that all the sides are blunt. If you do have a sharp corner, cover it with some tape to prevent birds from getting hurt.
5. Protection From Animals
Squirrels and rodents may be a problem when it comes to feeders. If they are able to reach the food, they may feast on it, and that would be problematic. So, choose a feeder that comes with protection against squirrels.
There are options with mechanisms where the weight of a squirrel on the product would force shut the lid, so that they are unable to access any food. Once they move, the ports will again be accessible.
Also, it is best if the material is chew-proof as then it will last long. Squirrels might not be able to reach the food but might chew on the edges. Now, that would be problematic, and hence, it is best that the material is sturdy enough.
Frequently Asked Questions
I had a few queries that Angie answered for me. In this section, I will be sharing them with you so as to resolve all your issues. Read on to know all about them.
In most cases, you will be getting suction cups, which will help you attach them to a windowpane. Otherwise, a string will be provided for you to hang from above.
It is important that you choose a location that is easily accessible to the birds. Keep it in places where you see birds perch every day. But beware of predators like cats, rats, and dogs. It should be out of reach from all of them, and that would keep the birds safe.
Birds will generally have seeds, including safflower seeds, nectar, peanuts, and millet. You can also create a mix of various seeds.
My Final Recommendation
With this, I come to the end of this guide, and by now, you know all about the best bird feeder for cardinals. Always read the product description carefully and only then go on to purchase.
Moving on, let me take you through my favorites in this list. The Nature’s Hangout Window Bird Feeder is a big feeder that will meet all your needs well. But if you want something that is safe from squirrels, the Brome Standard Squirrel-proof Bird Feeder will suit you well.Â
And if the design is a concern, and you want a beautifully designed product, you can choose the Twinkle Star Wild Bird Feeder. On this note, I will take your leave. Let me know if you have any further doubts in the comment section below.Â
Take care. Happy shopping!Â