This feeding station comes with an auger and a twist rod to easily drive it into the ground before screwing on the pole extensions. We also love that this pole is relatively lightweight so it’s easy to set up alone, but we do wonder if it will stay upright during heavy winds or a major rainstorm. Thankfully, it's constructed from steel and has a weather-resistant powder coated for extra durability. So its promoted as such but in fact most peanut feeders of this kind use the same practical method for opening up the lid. Wildtier Herz: Large Metal Nut Feeder So when the peanuts get a little short you should notice the nuts pulling over to the mesh side - that is due to a slope on the base to make sure peanuts come within reach of feeding birds. If your yard doesn’t typically attract a large amount of birds or you’ve never owned a bird feeder before, we recommend the Squirrel Buster Mini Squirrel-Proof Feeder. While this feeder’s capacity is the smallest on our list (just 0.98 pounds of feed), we think it’s a great compromise compared to the larger bird feeders on our list that may require more frequent cleanings. We also think this bird feeder has a smart design to attract both perching and clinging birds thanks to four metal perches and a cage surrounding the feeder. Last year, when I made my Extremely Large Knit Acorn, I tried to think of a way to make it into an Acorn Bird Feeder as well. The concept was easy enough, finding the materials was a bit more difficult. Wire mesh from craft stores was either too flimsy or the holes were too small and most of the hardware cloth from home stores wouldn’t work either.

Tube Feeders: This style of bird feeder typically has ports around the bottom of a polycarbonate tube. These feeders can be filled from the top with loose seeds. You can easily monitor the feed level, and they’re pretty durable compared to some metal feeders which can wear down. However, be on the lookout for tube feeders that are specifically designed against wear from UV rays to avoid the plastic tube yellowing over time. You’ll find these feeders in both hanging, like our best hanging, the Perky Pet Squirrel-Be-Gone Bird Feeder, and pole-mounted variations, like our best pole-mounted, the Bird’s Choice NP431 Classic Wild Bird Pole Mount. As far as squirrel proofing, this style of feeder is most often accompanied by weight-activated perches, which will cover the feed ports when a heavy critter lands on it. So do feed little peanuts as possible to make sure they are eaten before going rotten in the peanut feeder. Perfect example of that is this 'copper style' large nut feeder that is wider than it is longer, so while it doesn't appear to hold nuts in the traditional sense, it has that all important width to hold more nuts than is needed.

Feeder Nourishes Birds and Celebrates the Mighty Oak

This is what your wire mesh should look like now. Looks like a wire tube with flower petals at the end. Or kinda like a very minimal version of one of those Alien pods the Facehuggers hatch from. Anyway, enough with the random nerd break, onward. Tada! Your acorn body is done. Let’s work on getting it hung up now! (Those with kits can jump to step 13) Now a large peanut feeder doesn't have to be the simple long mesh metal type; so instead you can go for a feeder for peanuts that holds a larger capacity in a bulkier build.

Much like the Nature's Market option as featured above, simply pull up the hanger for a hook up straight - to then lift up the lid that attaches itself to the hanging hoop. But what else it offers is it must be up straight to allow the user - that's you - to pull up the lid with no fuss to replenish with peanuts every once in a while. Emma Phelps is an associate editor for The Spruce who specializes in writing about home improvement, air quality, home decor, and appliances. Phelps has previously covered a number of gardening topics including the best gardening tools and the best gardening gloves. For this list, she researched a variety of bird feeder types before making final selections based on feeder durability and squirrel-proofing mechanisms. What you get out of this German-made peanut feeder is the classic mesh surround along with the impressive three perch rings. Good size metal hoop for hanging too but don't be afraid to double up the length with use of a bird feeder hanger - made to extend too short hooks on feeders. Selections: Copper Style Large Nut FeederInsert the two ends of the rope in through the top of the bowl and tie a knot. Make sure the knot is large enough that it can’t be pulled out. Fold two of the facing sides inward and use your needle nose pliers to interconnect the open wire ends. Repeat with the other facing sides. The Brome Squirrel Buster Plus Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder is one of the most versatile bird feeders on the market, making it our top choice on our list. This feeder has weight-activated perches that will close the seed openings when a heavier pest like a squirrel or crow tries to land on it. In addition to having six perches around the bottom of this feeder, it also comes with a cardinal ring, which is designed to make feeding easier since they cannot turn their heads as easily as other birds. Extended hanger is used to realise the base so this feeder can be giving a good clean and maintenance every once in a while. RSPB: Premium Large Nut & Nibble Feeder Cage Feeders: These are most often designed as suet feeders, which hold solid cakes of bird seed, rather than loose seed. Cage feeders are mostly effective against squirrels as they usually feature two layers of wiring to prevent squirrels from reaching the cakes at the center of the cage. Small songbirds and medium birds with long beaks can easily still reach the center for feeding. Our best suet feeder, the Kingsyard Squirrel-Proof Suet Feeder, is a great cage feeder option thanks to its wide diameter which helps prevent the suet from getting wet and ensures squirrels can’t reach the feed. Cage feeders are most often found with hanging mount options.