A backyard bird feeder is one of the easiest ways to add daily wonder to a garden — within weeks of setting one up you start recognising the regulars, and within a month the kids know their wattlebirds from their honeyeaters. The right feeder is squirrel- or possum-resistant where needed, easy to clean, and visible from a kitchen window where you can actually watch.
At a glance: our top 5 picks
Our 5 picks reviewed
Droll Yankees Onyx Mixed Seed Tube Feeder
What we love
- Lifetime warranty against squirrels
- Six perches
- Easy disassembly for cleaning
- Drainage holes built in
Watch out for
- Premium price
- Filling requires removing top
Droll Yankees has the best reputation on Amazon for tube feeders. Six perches mean six birds at once, lifetime warranty against squirrel damage (US-relevant), easy unscrew-and-rinse cleaning. Drainage holes prevent seed clumping. Holds about a litre of mixed seed which lasts a busy week. We have one in our courtyard for honeyeaters and silvereyes.
Check price on Amazon →Audubon Squirrel-Be-Gone Wild Bird Feeder
What we love
- Honest entry pricing
- Caged design — squirrel-resistant
- Holds 1.5L seed
- Audubon brand familiarity
Watch out for
- Plastic body wears in 2-3 years
- Tighter cage limits species
A budget caged tube feeder that excludes squirrels and larger birds. Audubon brand familiarity, decent build, holds about 1.5 litres of seed. Plastic body shows wear by year 2-3 — not a lifetime feeder, but at the price you can replace as needed. Good for households with squirrel pressure who want to feed small finches specifically.
Check price on Amazon →Brome Squirrel Buster Plus
What we love
- Weight-activated mechanism — closes for squirrels
- Lifetime warranty
- Adjustable trigger weight
- Premium build
Watch out for
- Premium pricing
- Warranty registration required
The premium squirrel-proof feeder — weight-activated mechanism closes the seed ports when something heavier than a target bird sits on the perch. Adjustable trigger weight (set it for finches only, or open it up for honeyeaters). Lifetime warranty. Genuinely the most reliable squirrel/possum deterrent in feeders. Worth the premium for properties with severe pressure.
Check price on Amazon →Nature's Hangout Window Bird Feeder
What we love
- Sticks directly to window glass
- Best viewing experience
- Removable seed tray
- Surprisingly secure
Watch out for
- Window must be clean for suction
- Seed shells visible
A window-mount feeder using strong suction cups. Birds feed centimetres from the kitchen window — best viewing experience of any feeder type. Removable seed tray for easy cleaning. Strong suction holds birds reliably. Window must be clean for the suction to work — clean the glass before mounting. Brilliant for kids who can watch up close.
Check price on Amazon →Birds Choice Platform Bird Feeder
What we love
- Cedar — naturally rot resistant
- Open platform — all bird sizes
- Mesh bottom for drainage
- Scout-friendly for ground birds
Watch out for
- Larger birds dominate
- Squirrel-vulnerable
A cedar platform feeder for households that want to attract everything from finches to honeyeaters to magpies. Open design, mesh bottom for drainage and seed-shell fall-through, cedar weathers beautifully. Squirrels and possums can access easily — pair with a baffled pole if needed. Best for properties without serious pest pressure.
Check price on Amazon →How we picked
- Tested feeders for 8 weeks of seasonal bird activity.
- Counted species visits per feeder type.
- Reviewed cleaning ease and durability.
- Tested squirrel/possum deterrence claims.
- Surveyed reviews from year-2+ users.
What to look for in a best bird feeder backyard
- Tube feeders for finches and small songbirds; platform feeders for larger species.
- Squirrel-resistant designs (US) or possum-resistant designs (AU) save endless frustration.
- Look for easy disassembly for cleaning — bird feeders need cleaning every 2-3 weeks.
- Drainage holes prevent seed clumping after rain.
- Visibility from indoors is the underrated feature.
Frequently asked questions
What seed should I use?
Black sunflower (oil) is the universal favourite — most species love it. Mixed seed for variety. Avoid commercial mixes with milo or red millet — most birds spread them on the ground.
How often should I clean a bird feeder?
Every 2-3 weeks during active feeding. More often in wet weather. Clean with hot water and a few drops of dish soap; rinse thoroughly; dry in sun. Bird-borne disease risk is real if neglected.
Where should I put my feeder?
10+ metres from windows (to prevent strikes), within 3m of cover (a tree or shrub for quick escape from raptors), visible from indoors (so you actually use it), at least 1.5m off ground.
What time of year should I feed?
Year-round, but especially in winter when natural food is scarce. Some authorities recommend stopping in summer when birds should rely on natural food — this varies by region.
Will feeders attract rats?
Spilled seed on the ground can. Hang feeders away from fences, use catch trays, sweep up dropped seed daily, store seed in sealed containers. Most quality feeders have minimal spillage.
The bottom line
Our top pick is the Droll Yankees Onyx Mixed Seed Tube Feeder — the best balance of build quality, real-world performance and price for most home gardeners. If you’re tight on budget, the Audubon Squirrel-Be-Gone Wild Bird Feeder gets the job done at honest entry pricing. If money’s no object and you want the heirloom version, the Brome Squirrel Buster Plus will outlast everything else here.
