Best Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders

December 10, 2020 // 10 minutes read // 10 Shares

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squirrels attacking bird feeders

If you are tired of seeing all your bird feed be eaten by squirrels instead of birds, then this article is for you! Here we take a look at the best squirrel-proof bird feeders available today.

So…

You might be asking yourself,

What is the best-rated squirrel-proof bird feeders?

View these 5 top squirrel stopping bird feeders that rate top stars in our book, giving you several choices for selecting the best options to stop squirrels from hoarding your bird food.

Best Hanging Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder

Rating: 96 of 100

We highly recommend this bird feeder. It has an innovative design and has the most creative way to keep the squirrels out. It is not the cheapest one out there but you can consider it an investment for your little bird sanctuary. The weatherproofing is also a great feature that will work for the not-so-good seasons.

Droll Yankees Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder
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What’s Good

  • Durably constructed with stainless steel mesh and bail wires
  • Convenient to use with easy-to-slide metal cap
  • Quick installation with a metal loop hanger or pole mount
  • Caters to different bird species

What’s Bad

  • It has limited capacity
  • Clogging issues with some consumers

Droll Yankees Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders Overview

The Droll Yankees Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder has a motorized perch ring that is designed to start spinning if ever a squirrel tries to get on it. It will spin until that weight is off the feeder. It is tube-shaped and can hold up to 5 pounds of birdseed. You can feed up to 4 birds with its four feeding ports.

squirrel proof bird feeders
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It is made with a heavy-duty metal base and cap. You need not worry about fading as this tube feeder is created with UV-stabilized polycarbonate. The best part of it is that it has a built-in baffle that keeps the seeds freely flowing to all the ports. These are the things that make the Droll Yankees Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder the overall best in this category.

Buying Choices

This bird feeder is offered in 4 styles: Dipper, Flipper, Tipper and Whipper


Best Caged Style Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder

Rating: 92 of 100

In our opinion, this feeder is best for those who like to cater to smaller birds around their area. It is not a full-proof feeder as smaller young squirrels can still get in. Many have also reported that some smaller adult squirrels could still get in. However, this has also been praised by many users for its design and convenience.

Audubon Squirrel Proof Caged Tube Type Bird Feeder
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What’s Good

  • Lightweight durable metal cagework
  • Very easy to fill up and very easy to clean
  • Best for smaller birds where bigger birds don’t get to steal from them

What’s Bad

  • The inner plastic tube is made from very thin plastic
  • Smaller squirrels can still get into the feeder

Audubon Caged Tube Bird Feeder Overview

The Audubon Squirrel Proof Caged tube feeder has four seed ports. It has a metal gridwork cage that effectively keeps adult squirrels out of the feeder.

It can hold one quart of seed and is enclosed in a sturdy powder-coated steel cage. Squirrels and large birds like bluejays, morning doves, and grackles can’t get at the seed, but most songbirds can.

This squirrel-proof bird feeder can be a great feeder for small birds such as Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Dark-Eyed Junco, House Finch, Pacific Wren, Spotted Towhee and so much more.

Audubon Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder Features
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Best Weight Sensitive Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder

Rating: 96 of 100

At first glance, this squirrel buster feeder may appear to be too small but it’s just the right size. It may not be the right one for bigger birds in your area but would still accommodate majestic small and medium-sized birds and keep the squirrels away.

Squirrel Buster Standard Squirrel-proof Bird Feeder
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What’s Good

  • Detachable Component System for easy cleaning, filling, and servicing
  • Dishwasher-safe for total sanitizing
  • Stainless-steel perches and hanger
  • UV stabilized components

What’s Bad

  • This feeder is built with three leaves and is unstable to you and can topple over.
  • Larger birds won’t be able to use this bird feeder

Brome Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders Overview

The Buster Bird Feeder from Brome Squirrel is a weight-sensitive squirrel proof that closes the moment a weight of a squirrel is detected on the feeder. It is equipped with Seed Saver Technology when a squirrel climbs onto the feeder, its weight automatically forces the shroud down, closing access to the seed. They are blocked from getting the seeds but are not harmed in any way.

Brome Squirrel Buster Bird Feeder review
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It also has a negative grip tube that prevents squirrels from grabbing the wire hanger with their hind legs, defeating the closing mechanism, and hanging down alongside the feeder. You can place the feeder almost anywhere as it can hang from any branch and window and porch beams you may have in your home.


Weight Sensitive Runner Up: Squirrel Solution200 Bird Feeder

Rating: 93 of 100

This feeder has proven worthy of being on this list as it keeps the squirrels away for good. The feeding ports as soon as another animal that weighs as heavy as a rat or a squirrel tries to go on the feeder. The best seeds to use for this feeder would be black oil sunflower seeds as they can fill up the feeder with many seeds and will delight the birds that visit your feeder.

Squirrel Solution200 Squirrel-proof Bird Feeder In Action
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What’s Good

  • 6 feeding ports to accommodate more birds
  • Can hold up to 3.4lbs of birdseed
  • Decorative metal leaves that cover the feeding ports when a squirrel gets on the feeder

What’s Bad

  • Perches could have been slightly larger
  • More expensive than other feeders

Squirrel Solution200 Bird Feeder Review

As most bird feeders are, this bird feeder from Squirrel Solution200 is truly squirrel proof. The shroud of this feeder will automatically close as soon as a squirrel jumps onto the feeder. Birds can perch on this feeder from all sides of it as there is clearance for them to get the seeds on this feeder.

Squirrel Solution200 Squirrel-proof Bird Feeder
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All parts of this bird feeder are chew proof so you don’t have to worry about squirrels going through the bird’s feed. You can also tear and build this bird feeder using just your hands with no tools whatsoever.


Best Squirrel Proof Platform Bird Feeder

Rating: 91 of 100

This is a wonderful bird feeder from Woodlink as it can feed multiple birds at a time. It is completely squirrel-proof as it is weighted to protect your seeds. Amazingly, you can hang this on your porch or pole mount it in your backyard. We also love that you can easily clean this bird feeder in no time.

Woodlink Absolute Squirrel Resistant Bird Feeder
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What’s Good

The adjustable bar drops to prevent food access
Large 15 lb. mixed seed capacity, double-sided feeder
Durable powder-coated steel body
Easy to clean and fill

  • The adjustable bar drops to prevent food access
  • Large 15 lb. mixed seed capacity, double-sided feeder
  • Durable powder-coated steel body
  • Easy to clean and fill

What’s Bad

  • The weight adjustment markings are barely visible, they merely stamped into the metal but not painted
  • The wooden perch is merely pressure fitted into a hole on one end

Woodlink Squirrel Resistant Bird Feeder Overview

The Woodlink Absolute II is one of the best platform squirrel-proof bird feeders in the market today It is made with a powder-coated steel body, this durable feeder can stand persistent and destructive squirrels.

This feeder can hold up to 15lbs of birdseed and is locked so that no squirrel can get to the birdseed. You, however, can easily get inside the feeder and fill it up. You can hang or pole mount this feeder with the included hanger or 5ft pole.

Woodlink Absolute Squirrel Resistant Bird Feeder Features
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The Woodlink feeder has weight drops that can be adjusted and drops when a squirrel steps on it. This will block the squirrels from stealing the delicious seeds you provide the birds.

This is a double-sided feeder that can feed multiple birds at the same time.

The no-waste baffle prevents birds from spilling seeds, ensuring you don’t waste any food while also preventing animals from feeding around the area.


How to Choose the Best Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder

The best feeder is the best for you and what your intended area looks like. If you have a tree where you can hang it from, you can choose a feeder that has attachments that allow you to hang it on a tree. Otherwise, you can get a pole mount where you can place the bird feeder on the pole away from the other animals that live in trees and might steal the seeds on the feeder.

The most important thing here is the location of where you put the feeder. Most of the squirrel proof feeders work and some don’t. The best way to choose is to study how the feeder works. Weight activated feeders close when another animal heavier than your regular birds step on the feeder.

Another type of squirrel-proof feeders is those with built-in baffles that prevent the squirrels and other animals from trying to climb the poles that the feeders are on. These work most of the time and will “baffle” the squirrels that try to pilfer the seeds.

Some feeders are designed to keep the squirrels away with cages that protect plastic tubing inside the cage that is filled with seeds and can only be reached by the birds.

Whichever type you choose, make sure that it will work for you and your situation. Having these kinds of feeders can save you money in the long run by allowing you to avoid getting seeds more often than you should.

DIY Methods to Prevent Squirrels From Eating Your Bird Food

There are many ways that you can squirrel proof bird feeders at minimum cost and just by using different items in your house. Here are a few DIY Methods to squirrel proof your bird feeders:

Cages

You can get yourself normal wired cages and mold them into the shape of your feeder. The cages can protect your feeders from being stolen by the pesky squirrels. However, you have to get the measurements right as it needs to be the perfect distance where the birds can still get them without the squirrels being ankle to reach in for it.

Baffles

A baffle is a contraption that looks like an inverted bowl that you place on the pole and the feeder. This stops squirrels from climbing and jumping from the trees that are near the pole and the feeder.

To make your own baffles. Any plastic or metal pipes wrapped around the top or bottom of the pole will work. Most people use 3-inch pipes made of PVC or a stove pipe.

Spinners

Spinners are basically slinkies that you use to wrap around the pole and try to prevent squirrels from climbing up or at the very least, deter them for a little bit.

Most people ask how to attach a slinky to a bird feeder pole. The way to attach the slinky is by feeding the pole through the middle and attaching it at the top. Secure the slinky well so that it doesn’t just fall off the pole. Once the slinky is secure, let it fall to the ground and cut some off the slinky so that the pole is exposed.

Electrifying the Feeder

You can build your own electrified feeders or you can choose to electrify any feeder you bought with just a couple of materials. You would need an electric energizer as your power source. You will also need Wiring feeder components to connect to the energizer that will end up wrapped around your pole and your feeder.

You can also buy products that you can simply strap on to your pole to make it a shocking experience for the squirrels that try to climb up to the feeder.

These are products that you can easily find in your home and a store near you and all it takes is a little creativity to safely protect your seeds from being stolen.

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