The Best Feeders For Small Birds & Why…

Squirrels can be your worst nightmare especially if you’re wanting to feed smaller birds in your garden or backyard as they often steal the food before the birds get there…

To prevent squirrels from stealing your bird food, you’re going to need a squirrel-proof bird feeder that has special features to prevent them from feasting on your bird treats.

Most small bird feeders have a weight-activated perch to detect the weight of large birds, a caged enclosure to stop squirrels from reaching the bird food, or a long hanger.

Best Small Bird Feeders in 2021

Squirrel-proof and anti pigeon bird feeders

Squirrel Proof Suet Nugget Wild Bird Feeder - Roamwild PestOff
Gardman Heavy Duty Squirrel Proof Fat Snax Bird Feeder, Natural, A01822,2.8 kg
Gardman A01821 Heavy Duty Squirrel Safe Peanut Feeder
Gardman A01820 Heavy Duty Squirrel Proof Seed Bird Feeder, Multi-colour, 12.75 kg
Brand
Roamwild
Gardman
Gardman
Gardman
Material
Metal
Metal
Metal
Metal
Food Type
Suet & Fat Balls
Fat Balls (Large Items)
Peanuts
Bird Seed/Sunflower
Size (L x W x H)
45 x 19 x 19 (cm)
22 x 10 x 37 (cm)
24 x 24 x 29 (cm)
24 x 24 x 29 (cm)
Weight
0.69kg
0.49kg
0.49kg
0.98kg
Squirrel Proof Suet Nugget Wild Bird Feeder - Roamwild PestOff
Brand
Roamwild
Material
Metal
Food Type
Suet & Fat Balls
Size (L x W x H)
45 x 19 x 19 (cm)
Weight
0.69kg
Gardman Heavy Duty Squirrel Proof Fat Snax Bird Feeder, Natural, A01822,2.8 kg
Brand
Gardman
Material
Metal
Food Type
Fat Balls (Large Items)
Size (L x W x H)
22 x 10 x 37 (cm)
Weight
0.49kg
Gardman A01821 Heavy Duty Squirrel Safe Peanut Feeder
Brand
Gardman
Material
Metal
Food Type
Peanuts
Size (L x W x H)
24 x 24 x 29 (cm)
Weight
0.49kg
Gardman A01820 Heavy Duty Squirrel Proof Seed Bird Feeder, Multi-colour, 12.75 kg
Brand
Gardman
Material
Metal
Food Type
Bird Seed/Sunflower
Size (L x W x H)
24 x 24 x 29 (cm)
Weight
0.98kg

Disclosure:  Shaun Bird, Owner of Bird Feeder Expert is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk

Roamwild Fat Ball Bird Feeder Review

This Roamwild squirrel-proof bird feeder is ideal if you have a squirrel problem and are seeing the squirrels stealing all the food and preventing birds from feeding in your garden.

This no bolt and no tool bird feeder simply connects together making assembly simple.  As there are no bolts there’s no corrosion making it look clean and tidy all year round.

To activate the feeder birds simply fly onto the feeding perch which is automatically open to let out the food for the bird to eat.

Squirrel Proof Suet Nugget Wild Bird Feeder - Roamwild PestOff
  • NEW IMPROVED - ALL METAL WEIGHT ACTIVATED DESIGN - Not just 100% squirrel proof, also pest proof. LARGE BIRDS or RATS cannot feeder either. Roamwild PestOff Warranty Included. NOW COMES WITH FOOD PROTECTION CAGE.
  • NO SETTINGS TO ADJUST - INDIVIDUALLY spring loaded feeding ports only let songbirds feed not pests. The worlds 1st weight activated Squirrel Proof & Pest Proof Suet ball / Fat ball / Suet cake feeder.
  • NO MORE MOULDY SUET - LARGE CAPACITY - Designed to feed Suet Nuggets - The Design Keeps the Suet Dry and Fresh - no more wasted mouldy suet!
  • EASY CLEAN & EASY FILL - Built in rain guard above seed ports keeps the Suet dry to prevent moulding. To Fill simply open the lid. Suet cakes need to be cut in half before inserting into the tube.
  • Designed in the UK - Guaranteed - Squirrel, Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jackdaw, Crow & Rat proof - SAVES you money as only the songbirds feed, not the greedy pests! Wood Pecker Friendly. Roamwild PestOff Warranty Included.

Disclosure:  Shaun Bird, Owner of Bird Feeder Expert is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk

When large, unwanted birds land on the perch it closes due to their weight and will not reopen until the bird has left the perch.  This feeder is definitely one of the best products on the market…

At the top of the feeder, the squirrel baffle makes it impossible for squirrels to get close to the food, acts as a weatherproof shield and also helps to keep the food dry.

This simple but effective bird feeder can also prevent large birds such as; starlings, magpies, pigeons, blackbirds, as well as rats, mice and baby squirrels from stealing the food.

Features

Weight Activated Perch

The feeder is permanently open to allow smaller birds access to the suet or fat balls.  When larger, heavier birds land on the perch the feeder immediately closes due to their weight.

Birds light in weight do not activate the weight-sensitive protector so therefore, the feeder doesn’t close and allows them access to the food they want to eat.

No-Spill Feeder

This feeder is tidy and won’t allow food to drop onto the ground because there is a collection section underneath where the birds feed which collects excess food.

Easy to fill Birdfeeder

This isn’t revolutionary and many feeders have this feature but it is a great option that the top section opens so that you can place food inside from the top.

The squirrel baffle also acts as a waterproof cover too to help rainwater runoff and away from the store food which stops mould and bacteria from forming.

 

Gardman Fat Snax Bird Feeder Review

This Gardman squirrel proof bird feeder is about as simple as you can get when it comes to looks, effectiveness and assembly, however, the best products are often the simplest!

Basically, this heavy-duty hanging feeder is a small cage that holds the food, encased within a larger cage to protect against larger birds and squirrels from taking the fat balls.

Gardman Heavy Duty Squirrel Proof Fat Snax Bird Feeder, Natural, A01822,2.8 kg
  • Heavy duty cast cage provides maximum resistance to squirrels and larger birds
  • Feed safe biocidal coating kills bacteria on contact
  • Holds 4 fat snax or suet energy balls
  • Height 31cm

Disclosure:  Shaun Bird, Owner of Bird Feeder Expert is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk

The metal of both the cages has a biocidal coating that kills bacteria on contact and prevents harmful organisms from affecting the food which ultimately could make the birds sick.

Even though this Gardman bird feeder is squirrel proof it must be placed 2 feet away from hedges or fences to prevent squirrels from reaching inside whilst sat on the fence.

Features

Simple to Clean

Even though the Gardman feeders are heavy duty and extremely strong, the cage of the feeder is really easy to take apart which makes cleaning quick and simple.

To clean the cage just use warm soapy water to help remove any soiling from the birds and allow to dry before replacing back into your garden.

Holds Fat Balls

As this is a fat ball holder, try to ensure this feeder is situated in your garden from first light because birds have to quickly replace the lost energy they’ve lost by not feeding overnight.

Attracts Small Garden Birds

Because this fat ball feeder is squirrel proof it will encourage small garden birds to eat from your garden with confidence whilst helping to keep squirrels away.

Birds will be attracted to your feeder, as long as they’re in your area, they may  include; robins, chaffinches, house sparrows and greenfinches.

 

Gardman Peanut Bird Feeder Review

This Gardman peanut feeder is ideal for feeding birds without the risk of squirrels stealing the contents before the birds get their chance to eat them…

To attract a wide range of smaller birds you can add dried mealworms to the feeder, together with regular foods such as peanuts, sunflower hearts and even raisins.

This feeder weighs approximately 500g (1/2 a kilo) and can hold another 500 grams of peanuts or mixed food, which means that you’re not having to constantly replenish supplies.

Sale
Gardman A01821 Heavy Duty Squirrel Safe Peanut Feeder
  • Height 31 cm
  • Holds 530 grams peanuts
  • No mess - no husks - no waste
  • Feed safe biocidal coating kills bacteria on contact

Disclosure:  Shaun Bird, Owner of Bird Feeder Expert is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk

The inner peanut feeder is well protected by the metal cage to ward off squirrels, large birds such as pigeons, as well as most other unwanted visitors to your bird food.

As with most Gardman squirrel proof bird feeder products, it is well-made, easy to connect together, will last for years to come and has a feed safe coating to prevent bacteria from contaminating the food.

Features

Extra Strong cast cage

The bars of the cage that surrounds the feeder is really strong and can comfortably protect against the strength of a squirrel and large animals that may want to eat the contents.

The bars are made from polished, durable aluminium which makes cleaning easy and is designed to last for years.

Perfectly designed bar widths

The cage around the feeder is perfect for keeping out birds including pigeons and magpies as it stops them from entering near the feeder and even from reaching inside with their beaks.

For birds to eat from the peanut feeder they have to enter inside the cage and smaller birds have no problems but it may take a bit of time for them to get used to it.

Easy to clean 

This squirrel proof peanut feeder is easy to dismantle as all parts can be removed from each other.  The feeder can be tipped upside down to empty out nut dust etc.

The bars of the cage can be easily wiped down with warm soapy water to help keep the feeder and feeding areas hygienic and free from bacteria and smells.

What about a bird feeding station instead?  See these HERE

 

Gardman Anti Large Bird Feeder Review

With the same format as the 2 feeders above, this Gardman birdseed feeder has a cage that protects the seeds from squirrels and large birds.

The seed feeder itself allows small birds to sit on the perch and eat freely whilst being protected by the surrounding cage.

The cage is powder coated and therefore, rust-resistant to stop the bars of the cage from corroding and makes cleaning very easy.  The weight of this bird feeder is just short of 1kg.

Gardman A01820 Heavy Duty Squirrel Proof Seed Bird Feeder, Multi-colour, 12.75 kg
  • Heavy duty cast cage provides maximum resistance to squirrels and larger birds
  • Feed safe biocidal coating kills bacteria on contact
  • Holds 500 grams of seed, 485 grams of peanut bites or 360 grams of sunflower seed
  • Height 31 cm

Disclosure:  Shaun Bird, Owner of Bird Feeder Expert is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk

The large hanging handle makes it very easy to hang these types of the feeder on tree branches, a bird food hanger or any other suitable beam or frame that’s strong enough to hang it from.

The seed holder is very strong and durable and has 4 different sections where birds can take seeds from which means multiple birds can eat from it at the same time.

Features

Good value

At the price, this squirrel proof bird seed feeder is an excellent value product as it will last for years to come and is easy to clean, put together and is extra strong.

Can hold lots of bird food

If you have a large bag of seeds, crushed peanuts, etc you can get loads inside the feeder which means you don’t have to keep filling it up all the time.

You can even mix in mealworms with the seeds to attract small birds such as robins, who love mealworms.