Best Hanging Squirrel Proof Wild Bird Feeder

Having recently watched a program about food hardships for birds in winter I've been looking at the best hanging squirrel-proof wild bird feeder. We have all sorts in our garden - big and small. I decided to focus on the smaller ones. I need to place it away from my cat's reach and the only such place would be on a beam sticking out of the building.

While conducting my research I had to make sure that they were also safe from other four-legged creatures like squirrels. The food had to be hidden behind a cage or plastic shield to be available only to those for whom it is intended, so it had to be suspended. I also looked at whether the food was protected from rain, so it had to have at least a little roof. It needed to be big enough for the food to last longer. It also needed to be sturdy. And lastly, my choice needed to be a good value for money.

Birds Choice Weather and Squirrel Proof Bird Feeding Station with Four Ports and Suspension

This feeder from Birds Choice is huge at 2.2 gallons seed capacity. The number of 5-star reviews is impressive. The seeds are protected from rainwater by a transparent screen and a circular guard. There are 4 seed ports and perches. It is my favourite because it is large, weather and squirrel proof, has everything I need at a good price and with great buyer reviews.

Hanging Squirrel Protected Wild Bird Feeder with Woodpecker Friendly Tail Prop

This one is another bird feeding station from Brome. Like the first one, it's got a lifetime warranty. Protection from squirrels is provided by its cage-like surface which allows only birds to feed. It also has a weight adjustable mechanism which shuts the feeder off for larger creatures. There is a very large number of 5-star reviews and a varying price range.

Windscapes Auto Squirrel Protected Hanging Bird Feeder

I am not a great fan of the way this Windscapes feeder looks, which is why I've put it as my third favourite. While not pretty, it's very functional and serves the purpose of feeding birds while protecting them from the rain Plus, it has a tray to catch seeds which would help to avoid wasting them. One of the best things about it is that it's programmable with a timer which can be set to the time you expect the birds to be in your garden. With 1-gallon capacity, you won't have to worry about filling it too often either. With lots of 5-star reviews and quite a modest price, it's one of the winners.

Hanging Squirrel Proof Wild Bird Feeder with Six Feeding Ports by Brome

This 3.4 pounds seed capacity feeder has six feeding ports, so more birds can feed at the same time. There is a roof over it to protect the feed, and it has a weight adjustment mechanism as the previous feeders. The free seed funnel is a great bonus. The number of 5-star reviews is also encouraging. For the price, it's a great feeder for birds of various sizes.

Perky Pet Hanging Wild Bird Feeder with Even Seed Technology and Squirrel Protection

This feeding station is attractive for its functionality and low price. I love the fact that it has a wide roof which will protect the seeds inside. The design is simple and refilling is done by simply twisting the top off. The other great feature is a tray for catching seeds and allowing birds to stand on it while feeding. The number of reviews is not huge, but they are in the 4.5-star range. If your budget doesn't allow for more expensive feeders, this is a great option.