Best Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder For 2024
I know how frustrating it feels to want to give to nature, and you see skilled ninjas with fluffy tails trying to ruin your mission. Even if you bought a bird feeder labelled “100% squirrel-proof”, some evil creatures still outwit you.
I decided to take the weekend off and go bird-watching to clear my head. I bought a small bag of seeds and dropped everything on the floor to take a call. As soon as I dropped the bag and started walking towards the nearest bench, five cute but angry-looking squirrels took the entire bag and ran off with it 😭. It was a bummer because those annoying squirrels almost ruined my whole weekend and ran off with about $20 worth of seeds.
Even my neighbour has a couple of bird feeders, and these squirrels had no problem attacking her outpost and looting it of every seed. My cousin Jeremy also bought a feeder. He said that the squirrel family took over the feeder and made it their home after two weeks.
As adorable as that sounds, it’s annoying because most squirrels are greedy and hardly leave any seed or nut for the birds you intend to feed. I don’t have any grudge with squirrels; they are lovely animals in their way. But I have a problem with the greedy ones; they can loot an entire feeder and leave nothing behind.
Finding a high-quality squirrel-proof bird feeder is very hard, I’ll admit it. But getting a squirrel-proof feeder that allows the birds to grab treats effortlessly, defend your treats for squirrels, and be 100% safe for the birds and squirrels.
Some of the most popular squirrel-proof bird feeders can easily protect your feed outpost from squirrels but may injure them when they try to grab a snack from these feeders. While others are indeed squirrel-proof, but make it impossible for birds to get a taste of the healthy snacks you have in store for them.
Some squirrel-proof feeders are just terrible gadgets. These types of feeders sometimes endanger the lives of the birds because of their rigid setup. That way, you have to understand the best and most efficient feeders.
So in this buyer’s guide, I’ll be showing you the best squirrel-proof bird feeders ever made. These feeders are 100% safe for squirrels that decide to give it a try, easy for birds to grab a snack, and pocket-friendly.
Best Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder At A Glance
If you’re looking for the best bird feeders that are100% squirrel-proof, I have listed the best ten that passed the seed safety, bird comfort, and durability test. These are my top 10 best squirrel-resistant bird feeders.
Overall Best Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder
We always find time to give you a quick rundown of the best three products. These three bird feeders stood out among hundreds of bird feeders that claim to be 100% squirrel resistant.
If you ever decided to buy a quality bird feeder that deters squirrels, chipmunks, raccoons, blackbirds, or crows, these bird feeders are just suitable for the job.
1. Droll Yankees Yankee Flipper Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder
Best Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder For 2024
I believe the best bird feeder that is 100% squirrel resistant right now is the droll Yankees Yankee flipper squirrel-proof bird feeder. This bird feeder ensures that the seeds and nuts are for the birds alone. No animal can get access to the treats other than the birds you bought them for.
It allows birds of all species and sizes to enjoy easy access to the treats while the squirrels will have to turn to other not-so squirrel-proof bird feeders for treats. What makes this feeder stands out from the rest is its perch ring. It acts as a landing pad for birds interested in grabbing a snack.
It’s also super slick, which makes it hard for squirrels, chipmunks, raccoons, and other rabbits to be able to hold onto it. This feeder is 17” tall and can hold up to 8 pounds of feed, seeds, and any other tasty snack you feel is good for the birds that stay around you.
Best of all, this bird feeder is super durable and comes with a lifetime warranty. You can mount it close to your window frame and watch beautiful birds sing and dance every morning when you wake up.
2. Wild Bill’s 8 Station Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder
Best Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder For 2024
The Wild Bill’s 8 Station Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder is another top-rated feeder that can easily withstand any squirrel raid. This means this feeder won’t work with sharp incisors, pointy claws, and extraordinary wits. This bird feeder is one of the few feeders that can boast of providing optimum comfort to birds and 100% squirrel-proof capabilities.
It can carry enough seed to feed up to 24 birds for three days straight. As a bonus, this feeder comes with some of the fascinating defense mechanisms on the market. This bird feeder special is that it can ward off any intruder by giving them a small electric shock.
Any squirrels, raccoons, badgers, chipmunks, or ravens trying to invade the feeder without permission get a tiny non-lethal shock.
I mean it when I say that this is one of the world’s most effective squirrel-proof bird feeders. The Wild Bill’s 8 Station Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder takes its job of protecting bird seeds from squirrels very seriously.
The best thing about the feeder is that it teaches intruders to stay off. The shock does not hurt them; it tells them to look for treats elsewhere. The shock discourages them from carrying out any raid, so they lose interest over time. These bandits usually give up after six failed attempts.
So be confident when using this feeder because it’s 100% squirrel proof. The juicy seeds inside will be enjoyed by birds alone. You can mount it on a pole in your backyard and watch the place slowly turn into a bird sanctuary.
3. Brome Squirrel Buster Plus Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder
Brome Squirrel Buster Plus Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder
The Brome Squirrel Buster Plus Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder is one of the most elegant feeders on the market that is 100% squirrel resistant. This feeder doesn’t just use state-of-the-art tech to ward off squirrels; it ensures that the seeds inside the feeder are kept fresh no matter the rise or drop in temperature or humidity.
There are small shallow openings in the bottom section of the feeder. Birds can access the seed anytime they want, but when a squirrel or large bird gets onto the feeder, its weight automatically forces the bottom section to shut close.
This way, they can loot the seed component. We liked this feeder because it offers all animals a 100% safety guarantee. Both squirrels and birds are secured against harm no matter their size or species. Another thing we like about this feeder is that they are easy to maintain and repair. Squirrel Buster wild bird feeders are designed to withstand natural and human attacks.
You can use this feeder as a piñata, which would still be firm. It’s a natural saver, especially in areas with bears, elks, and moose.
If any part of this equipment wears out or is broken, it can easily be replaced. So there’s no need to throw it away. You can use it for years, and it will serve the same purpose, protect your seeds from squirrels.
Types of Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder.
There are a lot of bird feeders that offer squirrel resistance capabilities, but most of them do not provide complete protection against squirrels and other unwanted guests. There are a lot of squirrel-proof bird feeders in the market; some offer 100% protection against squirrels while others protect the seeds from climate and rot. But overall, these are the best types of bird feeders with squirrel-proof capabilities.
1. Log Feeder
Best Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder For 2024
Log feeders are DIY bird feeder projects prevalent in the United States. You find an old log and use a power drill to make holes and compartments. These bird feeders don’t just feed the birds; they also provide shelter to small birds, woodpeckers, blue jays, robins, bluebirds, and nuthatches. Depending on how you hang it, the log feeder can be 100% squirrel-proof can be completely squirrel-proof.
2. Mealworm Feeder
Best Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder For 2024
Mealworm Feeder is another standard feeder for birds whose diets mainly consist of grubs and other insects. It is recommended if you live close to bluebirds, thrushes, and wrens. This feeder, usually in a giant dome dish, can easily be made squirrel proof using a metal cage.
3. Hopper Feeders
Best Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder For 2024
Hopper feeders are wooden or metal feeders with a giant chamber that stores the seed and small openings around the bottom where seeds are dispensed. Although this kind of feeder does not offer complete squirrel protection, it also allows birds of all species to take as much food as they want quickly.
4. Tube Feeders
Best Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder For 2024
Tube feeders are another type of bird feeder that can easily be made squirrel proof. They are one of the most popular types of feeders in North America. They can be mounted on a pole, hung from a tree, a support beam, or on your window frame. These feeders even come in different sizes to support many bird species you intend to feed.
5. Mesh, Peanut Feeder
Best Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder For 2024
Peanut feeders are the best feeders for birds whose tastebuds want peanuts. It is perfect for people who don’t have any problems feeding squirrels and birds. The Mesh prevents the squirrel from taking too many nuts, seeds, or treats and is still wide enough for smaller birds of all sizes to take as much as possible.
6. Thistle Feeders
Best Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder For 2024
Thistle feeders, also called Nyjer, are the most popular feeders for people that live close to Goldfinches, Pine Siskins, House Finches, Purple Finches, juncos, sparrows, and Redpolls. They have small openings around them used to dispense thistle. Squirrels do not eat thistle, so there is no need to build a barrier around the feeder.
7. Tray or Platform Feeders
Best Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder For 2024
Tray or Platform feeders are exciting feeders usually made of plastic or wood and perfect for indoor and outdoor use. This feeder is a simple beam hung using a suction cup or frame for birds to land on and eat as much as they want. Although these feeders do not offer any climate protection, they are very durable and made squirrel-proof.
8. Ground Feeders
Best Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder For 2024
Ground feeders are the direct opposite of the platform feeder. Unlike the hung platform feeder, ground feeders are used to keeping the seeds and feed off the ground.
9. Suet feeders
Suet feeders are one of the most impressive feeders in the market. It is a wire-caged feeder used to hold suet cakes, nuts, and berries. Its design allows it to hang effortlessly on trees and window frames. It is also another recommended feeder for people with no problem feeding squirrels.
10. Oriole & Nectar feeders
Orioles and hummingbirds consume nectar from just about any nectar-bearing flower. You can use also use sugar water as an alternative to nectar. These feeders come in a lot of exciting shapes and sizes. But if you live close to Orioles, make sure that the feeder you’re going for has larger ports.
11. Fruit Feeder
Best Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder For 2024
These feeders are used to attract many beautiful birds, animals, and insects. Birds like orioles, catbirds, tanagers, and grosbeaks will love your backyard once you fill this feeder with fruits.
Qualities of a Good Squirrel Resistant Feeder
There are a lot of qualities you should look out for when purchasing a bird feeder that offers complete squirrel protection. It would help if you chose a durable bird feeder, easy to clean and attractive to most birds in your region. In all, these are the best qualities of a squirrel-proof bird feeder.
1. Weight Sensitive Perches
Most squirrel-proof feeders have weight-sensitive perches; they allow them to distinguish between a small bird and a cute furry bandit. Most small birds weigh less than 10oz, while squirrels weigh about 23oz. If your squirrel-proof bird feeder can’t distinguish between squirrel and bird, it won’t go into defence mode. If it can’t go into defence mode, it is not squirrel proof.
Feeders like the Squirrel Solution200 Squirrel-proof Bird Feeder have reliable perches that easily distinguish between rodents and small birds.
2. Metal protector
Every animal in the rodent family is equipped with two sharp incisors. These incisors chew through wood, plastic, rubber, and even brick. Squirrels are no exception. Squirrels have one of the most potent incisors in the rat world. These powerful weapons allow them to chew throw any obstacle and take home all the bird feeds.
One of the essential qualities of a suitable squirrel feeder is the metal cage.
Your feeder must be surrounded by a metal cage that will make it impossible for the squirrels, chipmunks, raccoons, and badgers to chew their way through and access the treats inside. The metal cage would stop the intruders and not the birds. Smaller birds like goldfinches, sparrows, robins, and chickadees should easily slip between the feeder securities.
If your bird feeder doesn’t have any metal protector, non-lethal electric shock, or weigh sensitive motors, then there’s no guarantee that it can secure your bird feeds from squirrels.
3. Climate Protection
Whether you stay in a region that has very high or low temperatures, a suitable bird feeder should also be able to protect your expensive feeds from ultraviolet sun rays, rain, cold, and snow. If your squirrel-proof bird feeder makes it impossible for squirrels to get the seeds but can preserve the content from climate change, then it’s not worth it. Squirrel-proof feeders like Droll Yankees Domed Cage Sunflower Seed Bird Feeder offers complete climate protection.
4. Bird Comfort
A suitable squirrel-proof bird feeder was built to keep the squirrels out but allow the birds to come in for a snack. If your squirrel-proof bird feeder makes it hard for the birds to get an easy meal, they may think of visiting other backyards that offer them easier pickings. When looking for a squirrel-proof bird feeder, be sure that it was made to keep the squirrels out and allow the birds to access the seeds effortlessly.
Squirrel Resistant Feeder FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about some of these feeders
How can I squirrel-proof my backyard?
Use a rodent repellant. Most of these chemicals are non-toxic, environmentally friendly, and super effective. You can easily use a rodent repellant to deter squirrels from getting too close to your property.
How can I squirrel-proof by bird feeder?
If you’re still getting squirrel attacks on your feeders, you can either opt for an electric feeder or fill the feeders with treats that most squirrels don’t like. You can also try mounting your feeders on a metal pole at least 12 feet from any tree in your backyard. You can even try oiling the bar to make it slippery. They can’t climb or launch themselves at your bird food.
You can also try hanging them on a tree with a skinny wire. A squirrel won’t try climbing a wire with less than .05 diameters.
How do I build the perfect squirrel-proof bird feeder?
Building a squirrel-proof feeder is a fantastic DIY project that you should try out sometimes. You should also check out this video from Mark Rober on building a squirrel-proof feeder in your backyard.
Are the squirrel-proof bird feeders that spin the squirrel around harmful to the squirrel?
No, Squirrels are natural acrobats, and like cats, they always land on their feet. After hanging on the feeder for too long, they will jump down to look for treats elsewhere.
Has anybody found a bird feeder that has remained squirrel-proof for at least two years?
A friend of mine has been using the Squirrel Buster Suet Squirrel-proof to feed the nuthatches in his backyard and had not has never seen a squirrel successfully take any nut out of his feeder.
Tips For Feeding Birds Using A Squirrel-Proof Feeder
If you are new to bird feeding, here are some things you should know.
- Ensure that there you add some water alongside the food. They appreciate that a lot.
- Do not add food colouring, artificial sweeteners, or fruit juices to feed birds.
- Ensure that you change the nectar in the feeder after 3-5 days.
- Don’t apply insecticides or pesticides around the feeding ports.
- Ensure that the bird seeds and nuts are always dry.
- Do not give birds anything that contains chocolate; it can poison them.
There are still a lot of squirrel-proof feeders out there, but the ones on this list are the very best. Has your bird-watching time ever been ruined by squirrels? Please do tell us about it.