Contents
- 1. Best Window Bird Feeder with Strong Suction Cups & Seed Tray
- 2. Nature Gear XL Feeder
- 3. Large Window Bird Feeder
- 4. Aspects 407 Jewel Box 8-Ounce
- 5. Juegoal Window Hummingbird Feeder, 8-Ounce
- 6. Superior Window Feeder Has 2 Way Mirror Film
- 7. Wild Birds of Joy Feeder with 4 Super Strong Suction Cups
- 8. Kettle Moraine Window Mount Single Suet Cake Woodpecker Bird Feeder
- 9. Birdscapes Clear Feeder 348
- 10. Perky-Pet Hummingbird Feeder (8 oz )
- Window Bird Feeder Selection Tips
- Types of Window Bird Feeders
- Top Brands
- Common Questions about Feeders
Window bird feeders are an excellent idea when you want to have a look at a wide variety of these beautiful winged creatures all up close and personal.
For any keen birdwatcher, it is a joy—often sheer bliss—to enjoy the view of a flock of Goldfinches (or of Bluebirds with their royal blue plumage… and so on) perched right outside their kitchen or living room window, while he may be taking slow sips off his morning cup of coffee on a chilly and glorious day!
Window feeding is also a highly practical (and often the only viable) option for those who live in a densely populated area with a lot of real estate development around. Providing birds with foods in these areas help increase the survival rates of many different bird species.
But even if you’ve a dedicated backyard feeding station, you’ll still love feeding the birds from your window. As mentioned, you can have a closer look at the creatures with a window feeder plus the latter will provide the birds an extra feeding platform.
Now, when it comes to window feeding, you have many different options as to the types of window feeders. Some are designed to accommodate many different birds, both large and small, while others are meant specifically for one or more particular bird species such as window hummingbird feeders or cage suet feeder for woodpeckers, etc. (we’ll discuss this in detail later in the article).
In the list below, you’ll find that we have focused mainly on some of the most popular models from the large, box-shaped window mount feeder category. This is since this variety tends to be the most favored window feeding option. However, also included in the list are some models geared towards attracting some specific birds.
As you can expect, the models on our list from the latter category are anything but exhaustive. But we’ll strongly encourage you to explore further if you’re looking to find some model that is exclusively designed to attract one or other specific species of bird, perhaps the ones that pay most frequent visits on your neck of the woods.
Top Window Bird Feeders
1. Best Window Bird Feeder with Strong Suction Cups & Seed Tray
This is the first of the five large rectangular box-shaped models included in the present list. Save some small (though sometimes significant) design elements, all these models share many similar features.
[Generally, these window feeders tend to be the most popular with birdlovers since you can attract many different species of birds with these feeders. The larger size means that they can accommodate as many as 6/7 birds at a time. You also have the option to put different foods in the two different compartments of the feeder and you have the liberty to change the food options according to the season.
There are, however, a couple of disadvantages with these feeders as well and it will do you good to know them upfront. First of all, the large tray of food inevitably attracts the squirrels (and some other critters), so you must make sure to hang the feeder at a place from where the squirrels won't be able to jump in to it. Another nuisance that you may face comes in the shape of large aggressive birds such as the House Sparrows or European Starlings. These birds often scare away the smaller ones and may also kill or maim them, so you'll need to find some way to deter these birds from the feeder. Finally, although there is a perch, the birds will sometime sit right inside the tray and defecate on the food. Now, if this happens too often with your feeder, you may have to settle for a window feeder of a different design.
Now, to come to this particular model from Nature's Hangout, we list it at the top courtesy the sheer popularity this model enjoys among bird feeders (there are close to 4,000 reviews on this model on Amazon!, plus an impressive 4.8/5 star rating). There are three suction cups that hold the feeder fast to your window glass. The large roof of the model provides a good enough shelter for your bird food. And if in case water still goes into the food (by form of rain or snow), the drainage holes at the bottom of the tray helps in immediate drainage. Even in the summer months, the holes do a good job of absorbing moisture and keeping the foods relatively safe.
Unlike most this sort of models though, this product does not feature an opening at the back of the model. This actually has both its good and bad side. The lack of an opening/window view means you are looking at the birds through two layers (the window glass plus the material the feeder is made of---in this case, acrylic). On the good side, however, ice and snow will gather during winter between the feeder and the window glass. This will, of course, create visibility issues and you can't help it if you still choose to keep the feeder up. However, since there is no opening, the ice will not get directly onto the food but this is what will precisely happen in case of models with window view openings. The food will get spoilt in no time and as such, it is not at all a feasible option to hang those models during winter.
Pros & cons
Pros
• Made of 100% clear, durable acrylic
• All-weather design
• Easily removable tray, facilitating easy cleaning and easy refill
• Comfortable perch with padded grip
• Exceptionally favorable user reviews
Cons
• No window view opening at the back
• Accessible to raccoons, squirrels, etc. (if not properly placed)
2. Nature Gear XL Feeder
This is another open, large box model that will attract a huge variety of birds including gold and purple finches, bluebirds, chickadees, cardinals, hummingbirds, warblers and many more. The model comes with many features that are identical to those of the Nature's Choice model mentioned above---dual compartment tray with drainage holes, overhanging roof, premium acrylic make, etc. However, one significant point of difference is that the model features a large oval hole at the back of the feeder for a better view of the bird (but we've already mentioned the flip side of this!). Additionally, this product from Nature Gear uses four suction cups and a sturdily-built round steel rod for the perch. Also, the roof is slightly sloped that makes it difficult for birds to sit over the roof and (possibly) dirty it.
Pros & cons
Pros
• Easy refill and cleaning option
• Comfortable view
• 4 powerful suction cups
• Sloping roof
Cons
• Not suitable for winter
• Extra caution needed to make it squirrel and other critters proof
3. Large Window Bird Feeder
Another large window feeder for you to choose from. More or less similar to the earlier products, the model slightly separates itself from its competitors thanks to its heavy duty hook mount suction cups variety. On the flip side, the tray has no compartments, so it's difficult to place different types of bird foods into the feeder. The model features a large opening on the back.
Pros & cons
Pros
• Sturdy, acrylic design with special hook mount suction cups
• Comfortable rubber perch
• Drain holes at the end of the tray
Cons
• No compartments on the tray
4. Aspects 407 Jewel Box 8-Ounce
Now, for a change, here is a window hummingbird feeder and if you want to watch these tiny hummers from up close, this is possibly the best model you can use. The model comes in a beautiful jewel box design and enjoys rave reviews on Amazon. The model is thoughtfully built with a bright ruby-colored lid that features three flower-shaped feeding ports and a round comfortable perch for the birds to sit in. The lid is attached with a hinge and you can easily take the lid off during refilling or cleaning. The window bracket is made of two suction cups which is enough to hold this lightweight feeder in place. What is more, the model comes in with a built-in ant moat. The ant moat, however, is detachable, so if you don't have an ant issue, you can take it off. Doing so will put even less pressure on the suction cups. The raised flower design on the ports also helps divert rain off the ports and the lid. The model holds 8 oz of nectar.
Pros & cons
Pros
• Leak and drip proof
• Excellent and highly practical design elements
• Made of durable polycarbonate
• Lifetime guarantee
Cons
• Frankly, there is not much to say against this model. There are some complaints about the window bracket being not too strong, while most others seem to be perfectly satisfied with the bracket with its suction cups. At any rate, you're backed by a lifetime guarantee.
• The polycarbonate make, though durable, maybe a bit of a concern due to the BPA factor.
5. Juegoal Window Hummingbird Feeder, 8-Ounce
This product comes with pretty much the same make and design elements as of the earlier Aspects model. There is the red hinged lid with three flower ports; detachable tray; optional ant moat; and a two suction cup window bracket. Only the box is somewhere square shaped compared to the semi-circular shape of the Aspects product. And it is made of plastic and is considerably less expensive.
Pros & cons
Pros
• Lightweight feeder with 8 oz capacity
• Easy refill and cleaning option
• Optional ant moat
Cons
• Made of plastic, so may not be too durable
6. Superior Window Feeder Has 2 Way Mirror Film
To go back to our favorite box-shaped window feeders, here is another great product from Entirely Zen. Pretty much similar features as to the other models in the category. However, this model features a larger raised tray design and also an updated strong hook mount pattern.
Pros & cons
Pros
• Fully updated 2019 design
• Larger tray
• Downloadable e-books, instructive booklet and a 2-way mirror film included in the box
Cons
• The roof is shorter and provides less cover than other models of this type
7. Wild Birds of Joy Feeder with 4 Super Strong Suction Cups
The last box model on our list, this Wild Birds of Joy product is another good model that you can settle for in this type of window feeder. The model contains a large opening at back, four strong suction cups and holds about 3 cups of seeds (compared to 4 cups common to most of the other models).
Pros & cons
Pros
• Relatively inexpensive than other box models
• Good quality, clear acrylic build
Cons
• Comparatively smaller tray capacity
8. Kettle Moraine Window Mount Single Suet Cake Woodpecker Bird Feeder
Here is something for those dedicated woodpecker enthusiasts. This suet feeder is made of vinyl-coated wire mesh and will hold one standard size suet cake inside. The cage is screwed with two suction cups that do a nice job of holding the feeder firmly on to your window glass. This is also a recycled item, made of recycled milk jugs. Overall, if you want to have a closer look at those peckers, this is a perfect product to settle for. Only point of concern is that suet feeder attached to a window may result in a good bit of a mess, especially during the summer months. Woodpeckers are normally tidy eaters, but there are also other suet-loving birds such as the sterlings, house sparrows, bluejays and thes latter are the main culprit when it comes to creating a mess over your window.
Pros & cons
Pros
• Sturdy build
• Simple and practical design
• Made of recycled material
Cons
• Not critter-proof
• The suet may dirty your window
9. Birdscapes Clear Feeder 348
This smaller sized model from Perky Pet is ideal as a window feeder for small birds. The item holds about one cup of seed and its compact, protective design with sloped roof and large sides provide effective shelter for the seeds. The closed-off design does a good job of keeping the larger birds away from the feeder and the sloped roof ensures that the birds don't perch on top of the feeder.
Pros & cons
Pros
• Light, protective and economical design
• Deter larger birds
• Problem-free attachment with two powerful suction cups
Cons
• You need to take off the entire feeder to clean or refill
• Difficult to clean the leftover hulls off the plastic material
10. Perky-Pet Hummingbird Feeder (8 oz )
To cap off our list, here's another window-mount feeder for hummingbird lovers. This Perky Pet item is one of the very few reservoir feeder models that can be attached to a window. The reservoir holds 8 oz of nectar and there are two yellow flower feeding ports fitted on to the red base. The feeder is kept in place with a powerful suction cup and there are also two perches adjoining the feeding ports on the base.
Pros & cons
Pros
• Made of sturdy, shatterproof plastic
• You may also nail, screw or hang the feeder somewhere else other than a window
• Easy refill and cleaning
Cons
• The plastic base is not made of the same shatterproof material as the reservoir and as such, may not last long
Window Bird Feeder Selection Tips
Most consumers already have a few preferred features in mind when they begin to shop for a feeder, like a price range, general design concept, and perhaps even a favorite brand. In addition to these things, it helps to think about some other key product features. Here are a few things to think about:
-Decide early on whether you want the feeder to rest on the windowsill or have mounting brackets/dowels.
-Are you looking for a large or small feeder? Some smaller units are super-easy to mount, clean and maintain. Medium-sized and larger products will usually require longer and more frequent cleaning times, might require extra support (besides the sill), and can be heavy.
-Look for products that fit windows in the 22-inch to 38-inch range. That way, the unit will fit about 95 percent of standard windows.
-For maximum viewing ease, selecting a window bird feeder with acrylic panels will do the trick. There are dozens of types of clear plastic or acrylic panels, so try to get one that doesn’t let the birds see you! Many products on the market today offer “two-way” glass/plastic/acrylic panels that affix to the back of the feeder.
-Compare prices carefully. The market is huge, which means there are lots of manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and re-sellers. The farther down the “marketing chain” you go, the higher price you’ll pay for the exact same item. The larger companies, with wide selection and good deals on shipping tend to have the best prices. See the section below for specific price ranges when selecting a window bird feeder.
-For products that come with dowels or mounting poles, opt for ones with “internal springs” that mount like a toilet-paper roller. This will save you the hassle of having to drill holes for mounting brackets. Mounting poles with springs are simple to put up and take down for daily feeder cleaning and maintenance.
-If possible, choose a product that has sliding panels so you don’t have to dismount the unit in order to replace food and do general cleaning. A sliding panel on the back of the main area of the product is a common feature on some brands and price ranges, but you have to read product specs in many cases to find out.
-It might seem unimportant at first, but spend some time thinking about the aesthetic qualities of the feeder. It’s going to become a part of your home’s exterior, so matching wood, complimentary colors, and even architectural design are smart things to consider.
You would likely not want a “modern-art” style feeder if your house features Americana or classic style on its exterior. Likewise, an “old time”-looking bird feeder might appear out of place on a brand new home.
-“Test drive” the product as much as possible if you buy in a store. If you’re shopping online, be diligent about checking for “see-through” panels on the top, back and sides of the unit.
The whole point of selecting a window bird feeder rather than another style is to see the birds as the frolic right in front of you during meal time. A few of the popular products offer total clarity of view, with all panels made of glass, plastic or acrylic.
-Make sure the bottom of the product you select has a secure floor for birds to rest on. Many floors are made of strong screen, which conveniently allows the animals to rest while also letting half-chewed seed and debris to fall through. Check out the specs pertaining to the amount of food the feeder can hold.
Remember, you’ll likely be wanting to clean the unit out every day, so there’s no need for massive food capacity. But, don’t err on the small side either or you’ll end up having to replenish the food supply at inopportune times (like when the birds are in it).
-Wood frames and plastic panels are common in many products, as are feed capacities greater than one quart. It is usually a good idea to avoid all-metal feeders because they can rust, make a lot of noise when birds peck at them, and can be a challenge to clean. When selecting a window bird feeder, you’ll notice that plastic and wood seem to dominate the product range, and for good reason.
-Don’t shop solely based on price. Try to find a unit that doesn’t clash with your home’s overall look. Think through all your personal preferences with regard to what how the feeder is built, what it’s made of and who the manufacturer is.
Like most every other consumer product, price does not always equate with quality, but very low-priced feeders can end up having lots of hidden costs, can break easily, and usually don’t age well even in moderate weather. The bottom line: shop around and read the fine print on product descriptions.
Types of Window Bird Feeders
When selecting a window bird feeder, you’ll have several different types to choose from. While product features and individual styles vary considerably, there are essentially four types of products in the “window feeder” category:
1. Small vs large: Inexpensive units that can only service one bird are common, inexpensive, and a good way to introduce yourself to the feeder market. But there are huge feeders too, some of which can accommodate several birds at once.
2. Clear vs combination: Some of the smaller products, and a few of the larger ones, are “all clear.” There are also feeders that come with wooden or colored-plastic rims or frames. Most every one, however, has at least one or two clear panels for easy viewing of the birds.
3. Mounting methods: The most important feature besides size is the mounting method. Suction cups are extremely popular and won’t fall off the window if adhered properly. Many medium-sized and larger units come with mounting brackets or dowel rods. As noted above, some of these require drilling and the placement of screws in the side of the window sash for stability. Others come with spring-operated rods for simple setup.
4. The number of feeding areas: One-bird products feature feeding troughs for a single bird. Larger units might have up to a dozen troughs for as many birds.
Top Brands
Some of the top brands in this market segment include Duncraft, Red Earth Naturals, Entirely Zen, Puppy Pet, Perky Pet, Bird Shed, Evelots, Jewel Box, Pet Fusion, Nature’s Hangout, Nature Gear and Droll Yankees. There are many other quality brands.
Average Pricing
The price range for window units ranges from about $10 for very basic models all the way up to $200 for some of the fanciest products in the line. In reality, the huge majority of home owners can purchase a very good item for about $20-$60, depending on the desired capacity, style and features.
A word of advice to first-time buyers: Go with a low-cost unit just to get used to the cleaning routine and to get the local birds used to visiting your house. After that, decide if you want a larger unit. Don’t forget to donate your old feeder to a friendly neighbor!
DIY: Built It Yourself
You can make your own simple feeder that attaches to a window with suction cups or glue. Take a clear (glass or plastic) bowl, about the size used for cereal. Affix the suction cup to the rim with epoxy. Be sure to use a rubber suction cup and a plastic or glass bowl so the epoxy will work.
Use a thin wooden dowel, placed in the ground below the window, to support the middle of the bowl. Fill the bowl with birdseed.
Common Questions about Feeders
1. How do you hang a bird feeder on a window?
You usually use the included suction cups or the dowel/mounting rods. Most are simple to put up and require standard tools (if any). You’ll need to clean the outside of the window thoroughly to make sure the suction cups hold.
2. How do I attract birds to my feeder in the winter?
Birds, like their human friends, seek food, water and shelter. Put food out during the fall months so birds will get used to using your yard.
Consider installing a small, heated bird bath near your house. You can buy one for about $50 and it works like a magnet during the cold months for birds who are in search of a non-freezing bath where they can drink clean water.
Put plenty of winter bird seed in your feeder leading up to winter time. Try some peanuts, sunflower seeds, suet and even a dash of peanut butter. Birds are intelligent and know where the good food is located. They’ll remember your yard as the one with the fatty food, which is their ideal winter diet (sort of like us humans too).
Remember to have some natural cover for birds to roost if the weather gets really awful. Roost boxes can be purchased or made out of old boards. Try to keep the roost boxes out of direct north winds. It’s also a good idea to leave some leaves and brush in a pile where the birds can access it to insulate their roosting boxes or areas under bushes where they take cover during cold snaps and snow storms.
3. What is the best window feeder for birds?
The Nature’s Hangout Window Bird Feeder is a good choice for many reasons. It’s reasonably priced at $25, offers all-around view of the birds, is sturdy, is easy to clean, has a pitched roof, and works for dozens of birds year round.
