The right bird feeder can help you attract more of the birds you love, keep food fresher, and make maintaining your feeding station easier.

At Wild Birds Unlimited of Colorado Springs, we carry a wide selection of high-quality bird feeders for different birds, foods, yards, and feeding challenges. Our knowledgeable local team can help you choose a feeder that works for the birds you want to attract and the space where you plan to use it.

How to Choose the Right Bird Feeder:

There is no single feeder that is best for every yard. Before choosing one, consider:

• Which birds would you like to attract?
• What type of bird food do you plan to offer?
• Where will the feeder be placed?
• How often do you want to refill it?
• Is it easy to clean?
• Do you need help discouraging squirrels or larger birds?
• Are you feeding from a yard, patio, balcony or window?
• Would you enjoy photographing or recording your visiting birds?

The feeder, food and placement all work together. Tell us what you hope to accomplish, bring us a photograph of your yard or current feeding station, and we will help you consider your options.

 

Types of Bird Feeders:

Tube Feeders

Tube feeders are a versatile choice for many backyard feeding stations. Depending on the feeder and food, they can attract finches, chickadees, nuthatches, and other songbirds.

Different port sizes and perch designs accommodate different foods and birds. Some tube feeders also include cages or weight-sensitive features to help manage squirrels and larger birds.

 

 

Hopper Feeders

Hopper feeders hold a generous amount of food and offer birds a familiar ledge or perch. They can accommodate many seed blends and attract a wide variety of backyard birds.

Their larger capacity can mean fewer refills, but the food should still be checked regularly for moisture or spoilage.

 

Platform and Tray Feeders

Open platform feeders provide plenty of space for birds that may not be comfortable clinging to a tube feeder. They can attract jays, doves, towhees, and other larger or ground-feeding birds.

Because trays are exposed to weather and droppings, they should be monitored and cleaned regularly.

 

 Finch Feeders

Finch feeders are designed for small foods such as Nyjer seed or fine sunflower chips. They may use small feeding ports or mesh that allows finches to cling while eating.

Fresh food is especially important. If Nyjer seed becomes old or damp, finches may stop visiting even when the feeder still appears full.

 

 

Suet and No-Melt Dough Feeders

Suet feeders are especially popular with woodpeckers, nuthatches, and other clinging birds. They are available in several designs, including cages, tail-prop feeders and options that help limit access by larger birds.

No-melt dough and other specialty foods provide additional feeding options during Colorado’s hot summers.

 

 

Seed Cylinder Feeders

Seed cylinder feeders hold tightly compressed bird food that generally lasts longer and is less likely to be scattered than loose seed. Cylinders come in different sizes and recipes, and some feeders hold multiple cylinders or stackable foods so you can offer greater variety from one feeding station.

 

 

 

Peanut Feeders

Peanut feeders can attract woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, jays, magpies, and other peanut-loving birds. The size and style of the feeder should match the type of peanuts being offered.

 

 

Window Feeders

Window feeders provide an exciting, close-up view of visiting birds and can be a great choice for smaller spaces, apartments, and classrooms. They can also offer safe “Cat TV” when cats are kept indoors.

Windows can present a collision risk to birds, so feeder placement and window-collision protection should always be considered. Ask our team about creating a safer setup and the window-strike prevention products we carry.

 

Hummingbird Feeders

A good hummingbird feeder should be easy to clean, easy to refill, and designed so you can monitor the nectar. Choose a size that matches the number of hummingbirds visiting so you are not wasting large amounts of nectar between changes.

Hummingbird feeders require more frequent maintenance than seed feeders, especially during hot weather. Offer only nectar made with one part refined white sugar and four parts water. Do not use red dye, honey, brown sugar, or artificial sweeteners.

 

 Smart and Camera Bird Feeders

Camera feeders offer a close look at the birds visiting your yard, even when you are not standing at the window. Depending on the model, features may include photographs, video, notifications, solar charging, and bird-identification assistance.

This is a fairly new category of feeders and other birding accessories, so our selection of smart bird-feeding products is growing and we can help you compare designs, camera features, food capacity, and placement options.

 

Match the Feeder With the Right Food

Even an excellent feeder may not attract the birds you expect if it contains the wrong food. Different feeders are designed for different seed sizes, blends, and feeding behaviors.

Our guide to the best bird seed for Colorado Springs birds explains the differences among sunflower, safflower, peanuts, Nyjer seed, no-mess blends and other bird foods.

If you already own a feeder, bring us a photograph or the feeder itself. We can help you determine which foods it can hold and which birds are most likely to use it.

 

Squirrel-Resistant Bird Feeding

 

 

 

 

Squirrels are intelligent, persistent, and surprisingly athletic. Managing them may require a combination of the right feeder, correct placement, a well-designed pole system, and an appropriate baffle.

Available options may include:

• Weight-sensitive feeders
• Caged feeders
• Pole-mounted baffles
• Weather domes and hanging baffles
• Foods made with hot pepper
• Feeder placement adjustments

No feeder or strategy works perfectly in every setting. We will help you consider nearby trees, fences, roofs, and other launching points before recommending a solution. Many squirrel-resistant options are also effective against raccoons. If those little bandits are causing trouble, ask us about the best solutions for them too!

 

 

 

Keep Your Bird Feeders Clean

A feeder should be easy enough to clean that routine care does not become an overwhelming chore. Check feeders regularly for wet or spoiled food, clumps, mold, droppings, and debris.

Colorado Springs weather can change quickly. Examine feeders after rain, snow, or hail, even when the outside looks dry.

Our backyard bird-care guide explains how to inspect and clean seed feeders, hummingbird feeders and bird baths, along with what to do if you see a sick bird.

Bird Feeder Parts, Repairs and Support

A damaged part does not always mean you need to replace an entire feeder. Depending on the product and the part needed, we may be able to help you find a replacement or determine whether the feeder can be repaired.

Bring the feeder to the store so we can identify the model and evaluate the problem. Learn more about our returns, warranties, and replacement parts.

Need Help Filling Your Feeders?

We can help with more than choosing a feeder. Our team offers bird-feeding support that can include scheduled feeder-filling visits.

Feeder filling is available as a one-time visit or on a recurring schedule within our service area. Daily Savings Club members save an additional $5 on each filling visit.

Learn more about our bird feeder filling service, or contact the store to discuss the assistance you need.

 

Bird Feeder Questions:

What is the best bird feeder for Colorado Springs?

The best feeder depends on the birds you want to attract, the food you plan to offer, your available space, and the challenges in your yard. Tube feeders are versatile, while hopper, platform, suet, peanut, and finch feeders serve different birds and feeding preferences.

What feeder attracts the greatest variety of birds?

A well-designed seed feeder offering a high-quality blend can attract many common backyard birds. Adding separate suet, peanut, or finch feeders can increase the variety by providing foods and feeding surfaces for different species.

Can I use a bird feeder on an apartment balcony?

Yes, depending on your property’s rules. Window feeders, compact hanging feeders, and tray systems can work well in smaller spaces. A no-mess food can help reduce shells and debris beneath the feeder.

How do I keep squirrels away from my feeder?

Successful squirrel management usually combines feeder design, pole placement, and a properly positioned baffle. Caged or weight-sensitive feeders and hot-pepper foods may also help.

How often should I clean a bird feeder?

Inspect feeders at least weekly and after wet weather. Clean them whenever they become dirty or the food becomes damp, clumped or spoiled. Heavily used feeders may need more frequent attention.

Do you carry replacement bird-feeder parts?

Replacement parts are available for some feeders. Bring the feeder to the store so our team can help identify what you need.

Do you sell bird feeders online?

Yes. You can shop bird feeders from our Colorado Springs store online. Online orders are prepared and packed by our local store team.

 

Visit Your Local Bird-Feeding Experts

Visit Wild Birds Unlimited of Colorado Springs at 2450 Montebello Square Drive to explore bird feeders, bird food, pole systems, baffles and other backyard bird-feeding products.

We are always happy to answer questions, even if you are not making a purchase. Tell us about the birds you hope to attract, the space you have available, or the problem you are trying to solve. We will help you create a feeding station that works for you and your birds.

Members of our Daily Savings Club save 15% on bird and wildlife food every day and earn Bird Bucks on purchases throughout the store.