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Tube Feeders

~~~~~There are many varieties of tube feeders. Such feeders can distribute sunflower seed, thistle/nyger, peanuts in or out of the shell, or mixes. Tube feeders cater mostly to perching and clinging birds, like nuthatches, chickadees, and finches. The two main kinds of tube feeders, sunflower feeders and finch feeders, are different in essentially one way: the seed ports of a finch feeder are very small, so that they can dispense nyger thistle seed. Larger ports often lead to the light thistle blowing away in the wind. ~~~~~The unfortunate fact behind most tube feeders is that the larger feeder favorites like cardinals and grosbeaks are unable to use them. Some, like the New Generation Droll Yankee tube feeders have a tray option, which attaches to the bottom of the feeder to provide a place for cardinals to sit, also catching seed that may fall from the ports above. It is very important for tube feeders to have an un-chewable metal around the ports, especially with feeders that are not baffled against squirrels. A squirrel unable to reach the seed inside a tube feeder will chew the port wider if it is not surrounded by metal. If you chose not to buy from us, be careful as to what kind of tube feeder you buy. Many stores sell cheap plastic feeders that won’t last long, or give inaccurate information about what species of birds will use it, or what kind of feed it should dispense. Finch Feeders ~~~~~Most finch feeders are tube-style feeders. Finches will visit most any style feeder that’s well designed, and will eat sunflower seed. A seed that appeals primarily, if not exclusively, to finches is the nyger thistle seed. See our article on seed for more information regarding that particular seed. If you decide to feed a finch mix that includes sunflower hearts or other seeds that may appeal to squirrels, it is essential to get a feeder with metal around the ports. There are also cloth and plastic ‘thistle sacks’, which are very affordable and work well to draw in the finches, but often only last a few seasons before tearing. A very popular design amongst both birds and customers is the MoBi Mesh thistle feeder. Depending on which size you get, a Mobi Mesh thistle feeder can fit anywhere from 4-20 birds.