Best Vintage Bird Feeders: A Comprehensive 2024 Review Of 6 Options

October 26, 2021 // 11 minutes read

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6 Of The Best Vintage Bird Feeder Options You’d Want In Your Backyard

For birds, all that really matters in a bird feeder is that they can get food from it. They don’t really care about the aesthetics or how it matches the rest of your backyard. But as homeowners and bird watchers, aesthetics is definitely one thing that we look for in a big feeder. 

It’s good to have something stylish and unique that will also serve as a backyard decoration and not just a bird feeder. And when it comes to this, the best choice would be going for a vintage-style bird feeder. 

You’ll never go wrong with one of these best vintage bird feeder choices. They are sophisticated, classy, and will elevate how your backyard looks. 

But because we also value functionality, we searched for the 6 best vintage bird feeders you’ll find in the market today. We’ll also provide a guide on how to pick the best bird feeder and answer some FAQs. 

So, if you’re looking for something stylish to add to your backyard, read on.

Best Vintage Cast Iron Bird Feeder

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Heavy Duty Cast Iron Hanging Bird Feeder

Editor’s Comments:

A very stylish bird feeder designed to be stable despite strong winds. Great & unique design that is a great addition to any back yard!

Ease of Hanging & Installation
95
Ease of Refilling
93
Aesthetics & Styling
97
Cleanability
90
Durability
91
  • Capacity: Approximately 2.5 Cups
  • Dimensions: 10.47 x 9.29 x 2.91 inches
  • Material: Heavy duty cast iron; painted in antique dark black green color
  • Mounting Type: Hanging
  • Manufacturer: Sungmor

Overall Score:

93

The Bottom Line:

The Sungmor Heavy Duty Cast Iron Hanging Bird Feeder is for you if you’re looking for a high-quality, aesthetically pleasing, and convenient to use bird feeder that would attract small-sized songbirds.

What’s Good

  • Sturdy
  • Can’t be knocked over by the wind
  • Can hold anything you put
  • Easy to put together
  • Aesthetically-pleasing

What’s Bad

  • Too Small
  • Needs to be glued together so that it doesn’t fall

Summary

The Sungmor Heavy Duty Cast Iron Hanging Bird Feeder is one of the most stylish bird feeders on our list. It comes with an umbrella on top, a birdseed bowl below the umbrella, and a frog hanging at the bottom of the plate.

At first glance, it doesn’t even look like a bird feeder. When people pass by, they would easily think that this is just another garden ornament and not a bird feeder.

It is made of heavy-duty cast iron, making it very sturdy and hard to be knocked over by the wind. The frog holds the plate in place so the bird seeds won’t get scattered.

It’s very easy to hang. Just hook it under the tree or some stands.

Refilling and cleaning are straightforward too. This bird feeder comes with an open design, so you just simply need to pour the bird seeds on the plate, and you’re done. If you need to clean it, you just need to remove it from hanging and wash it with clean water.

This is a bird feeder you can buy if you’re looking for something of excellent quality, unique, and convenient to use without breaking the bank.

However, if you’re aiming to attract larger birds, this may not be for you. The plate is small and would be perfect for our smaller songbirds. It’s a lovely bird feeder to get if you’re targeting to attract them because you’ll be sure that no large birds would disturb them during feeding.

Best Vintage Metal Bird Feeder

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Colohas Antique Dome Roof Bird Feeder

Editor’s Comments:

A stylish and durable bird feeder that will stand against any weather conditions brings style and class with might to stand up against Mother Nature.

Ease of Hanging & Installation
94
Ease of Refilling
93
Aesthetics & Styling
90
Cleanability
91
Durability
93
  • Capacity: 2.5 lbs of mixed seed
  • Dimensions: 8.26 x 7.48 x 5.7 inches
  • Material: Metal & Plastic
  • Mounting Type: Hanging
  • Manufacturer: Colohas

Overall Score:

92

The Bottom Line:

The Colohas Antique Dome Roof Bird Feeder is for you if you’re looking for a stylish but durable bird feeder. It’s waterproof and weather-resistant, keeping seeds and birds safe from rain and other outside elements.

What’s Good

  • High-quality bird feeder
  • Easy to refill and clean
  • Large capacity
  • Can keep bird seeds fresh
  • Perfect for small birds
  • Aesthetically-pleasing

What’s Bad

  • Too small for larger birds
  • Not designed for large seeds

Summary

The Colohas Antique Dome Roof Bird Feeder is another stylish bird feeder that you can buy.

It’s made of high-quality metal that is sturdy, waterproof, and weather-resistant, making it one of the most durable bird feeders on this list. It won’t be easily swayed by strong winds, it won’t get rusty, and it will stand against any weather conditions.

If you’re eco-conscious, you’ll be happy to know that the materials used are also environmentally friendly.

The bird feeder is designed like a cup with a stylish lid on top and a plate below. The cap is also graced with exquisite flower and leaf patterns that will catch the attention of any passers-by.

Because this is designed like a cup, the bird seeds are safely kept inside and would not get wet from the rain. The plate also has drainage holes at the bottom so that water won’t be retained and won’t cause the seeds to get moldy, making it completely safe for birds.

The bird feeder is very easy to refill. Just open the lid, and you can quickly pour the bird seeds in. And since the housing is clear, it will be easy for you to tell whether it’s time to refill. It also has a 2.5 lb capacity, which is enough to feed birds for a few days.

The only disadvantage of this bird feeder is that it can only accommodate smaller birds. You can’t also put large seeds inside the housing as it will clog the holes where the seeds get out.

But overall, the Colohas Antique Dome Roof Bird Feeder is an excellent choice if you’re looking for something stylish and would stand against any weather outside.

Best Antique Bird Feeder

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Sapphire Starburst Vintage Glass Wild Bird Feeder

Editor’s Comments:

A nice-looking bird feeder for those who are on a budget.

Ease of Hanging & Installation
93
Ease of Refilling
89
Aesthetics & Styling
94
Cleanability
84
Durability
92
  • Capacity: 0.56-pound seed capacity
  • Dimensions: 7.63 x 7.63 x 10.88 inches
  • Material: Blue vintage glass and metal seed tray with circular perch
  • Mounting Type: Hanging
  • Manufacturer: Perky-Pet

Overall Score:

90

The Bottom Line:

The Perky-Pet Sapphire Starburst Vintage Glass Wild Bird Feeder is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a high-quality but still aesthetically pleasing bird feeder while on a budget. However, you need to note that this is not a bird feeder to have if you live in windy areas or if you’re looking to attract larger birds.

What’s Good

  • Excellent quality
  • Rust Proof since it’s made of glass
  • Lasts longer
  • Easy to refill
  • Birds love it
  • Aesthetically-pleasing

What’s Bad

  • Not made for windy areas
  • Not made for larger birds
  • Can only hold tiny seeds

Summary

The Perky-Pet Sapphire Starburst Vintage Glass Wild Bird Feeder is a bottle-shaped bird feeder made of glass. Its sapphire blue color makes it very attractive to birds, especially when hit directly by sunlight.

It comes with a circular perch, allowing multiple birds to feed at the same time. It’s also not dangerous for them because there are no rough edges.

The bottle has a capacity of 0.56 pounds which is enough to feed birds in a day. However, filling the bottle with smaller seeds is most advisable, as larger seeds might get stuck on the opening.

The bottle is wide-mouthed, making it very easy to refill. However, you will need to turn it upside down first, which means it’s best to wait until the bird seeds have almost none left before refilling.

Another thing to note is that if you live in windy areas, this might not be the best bird feeder choice as it’s light and would most likely sway.

However, overall, if you’re looking for a high-quality and aesthetically pleasing bird feeder that won’t break the bank, this would be an excellent choice for you.

Best Vintage Hummingbird Feeder

More Birds Antique Glass Bottle Hummingbird Feeder

Editor’s Comments:

A stylish bird feeder for hummingbirds that would elevate your backyard.

Ease of Hanging & Installation
91
Ease of Refilling
90
Aesthetics & Styling
93
Cleanability
89
Durability
91
  • Capacity: 20 oz nectar capacity
  • Dimensions: 8 x 8 x 9 inches
  • Material: Glass, metal & plastic
  • Mounting Type: Hanging
  • Manufacturer: More Birds

Overall Score:

91

The Bottom Line:

The More Birds Antique Glass Bottle Hummingbird Feeder is one of the most aesthetically pleasing hummingbird feeders you’d find in the market. The red-colored flower feeding ports attract hummingbirds really well that they immediately fly in minutes after this bird feeder is placed in your backyard.

What’s Good

  • Large capacity
  • Five feeding ports
  • Attracts hummingbirds really well
  • Easy to clean
  • Aesthetically-pleasing

What’s Bad

  • Manufacturing defects that can possibly endanger birds
  • The bottom area is fragile
  • Needs to be disassembled to refill

Summary

This Antique Glass Bottle Hummingbird Feeder from More Birds is probably one of the best-designed hummingbird feeders you’ll find in the market.

You’ve probably seen how most hummingbird feeders look. Most of them are purely red and made of plastic, which is meant to attract hummingbirds. However, although the design can effectively attract these birds, it’s not that nice to look at when already hanging around the backyard.

Well, good thing we have this vintage and stylish hummingbird feeder from More Birds that you can confidently hang around your area without it being such a pain in the eye.

The bottle is made of glass, making it more expensive looking than cheap plastic. And the base is made of burnt penny plastic that helps in prolonging the bird feeder’s lifespan.

The bottle has a capacity of 20 fluid ounces, which is enough to feed hummingbirds for a day or more.

You’ll also find five red flower-shaped feeder ports, which help in accommodating five hummingbirds simultaneously. And because the flowers are colored red, hummingbirds are easily attracted to them.

As a matter of fact, hummingbirds started flying in by the time we hung this bird feeder. That’s how attractive this bird feeder is.

Refilling can be quite a hassle because you’d have to wait until the bottle is empty before you can refill it again. This is because you need to turn the feeder upside down to pour new nectar into it.

But other than that, this is an excellent bird feeder choice if you’re looking for a high-quality but stylish hummingbird feeder.

Best Vintage Glass Bird Feeder

West Charm Antique Lantern Style Lattice Hanging Bird Feeder

Editor’s Comments:

The most stylish bird feeder on this list that can stand against any weather and light up at night.

Ease of Hanging & Installation
89
Ease of Refilling
92
Aesthetics & Styling
96
Cleanability
91
Durability
89
  • Capacity: Holds about 2 lbs of mixed seeds
  • Dimensions: 10 x 9.5 x 9 inches
  • Material: Aluminum construction in antique copper finish, and clear glass panels.
  • Mounting Type: Hanging
  • Manufacturer: Westcharm

Overall Score:

91

The Bottom Line:

This Antique Lantern Style Lattice Hanging Bird Feeder from West Charm is an excellent choice for those who want to spend a good amount of money on it. It’s the most expensive bird feeder on this list, but the aesthetics, durability, and solar-powered LED surely make up for that. This is a bird feeder that would make your neighbors’ heads turn and make birds coming straight to your home whether it’s day or night.

What’s Good

  • Easy to hang
  • Four perches to accommodate more birds
  • Easy to refill
  • Easy to clean
  • Come with solar-powered light, so it is seen at night
  • Aesthetically pleasing

What’s Bad

  • Hangs a bit off
  • More expensive

Summary

The West Charm Antique Lantern Style Lattice Hanging Bird Feeder is one of the best-designed bird feeders on this list.

The bird feeder looks like a lamp from afar and would serve as a great accent in your backyard. On top of that, the bird feeder comes with a solar-powered LED, allowing it to charge from the Solar’s energy during the day and light up at night.

This is a bird feeder that will attract not only birds but also your neighbor’s attention. And the fact that it lights up at night would help birds feed even at night.

However, even with this feature, we can definitely say that this bird feeder is already great on its own.

It is well-built and features durable aluminum construction and an antique copper finish. This makes the bird feeder last longer and withstands any weather conditions.

With the clear glass panels, it’s easy to see the number of bird seeds inside, giving you a signal when to refill.

The bird feeder comes with four bird perches to feed four birds at a time. There are also four drainage holes so that no water would stay and cause the seeds to get soggy and moldy.

With this bird feeder, bird seeds will remain fresh at all times. It also offers an easy refill and easy clean, making it an excellent choice for those who have more budget to spare.

There are very few disadvantages seen. One is that it hangs a bit off, and you might need to adjust it a few times before it is stable. And it’s also the most expensive vintage-style bird feeder on this list.

But overall, considering that the bird feeder is durable, well-designed, convenient to use, and even lights up at night, the price is definitely worth it.

Best Vintage Teacup Bird Feeder

Vintage Tea Cup and Saucer Shape Bird Feeder

Editor’s Comments:

A simple and straightforward to use bird feeder that is the perfect definition of a vintage look.

Ease of Hanging & Installation
93
Ease of Refilling
94
Aesthetics & Styling
86
Cleanability
92
Durability
90
  • Capacity: Approximately 1.5 Cups
  • Dimensions: 8.75 D x 7.75 H inches
  • Material: Zinc with spot distressing and a distinct brushed patina that brings a vintage look to the finish.
  • Mounting Type: Hanging
  • Manufacturer: Whole House Worlds

Overall Score:

91

The Bottom Line:

The Whole House Worlds Vintage Tea Cup and Saucer Shape Bird Feeder is a high-quality bird feeder that comes with a simple but unique design. It is very straightforward to use, thanks to its open design.

What’s Good

  • Sturdy
  • Easy to refill
  • Easy to clean
  • Easy to hang
  • Uniquely designed

What’s Bad

  • Seeds are left exposed from outside elements

Summary

This Vintage Tea Cup and Saucer Shaper Bird Feeder from Whole House Worlds is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a simple but uniquely designed bird feeder.

As the name implies, this bird feeder is shaped like a cup and saucer. It’s an open bird feeder where you place the seeds inside the cup and even on the plate outside for the birds to feast on.

It’s hand-crafted from zinc, making it very durable. It even has a rustic look that would complement well in your backyard or garden.

It can also accommodate any birds, thanks to its open feature and large size. This feature also makes it very easy to refill and clean.

The only problem is that because there’s really no place for seeds to hide, they are left exposed to outside elements.

Overall, this is a great choice if you’re looking for something simple but can catch anyone’s attention.

Buying Guide To Selecting The Best Vintage Bird Feeder:

Each bird feeder above will always be a great choice. They are all aesthetically pleasing, well-built, and convenient to use. However, what you choose would always depend on what you need or what suits your backyard well.

With that said, we included this short guide to help you select the best vintage bird feeder that will attract birds you love. 

Bird Feeder Type

There are several types of bird feeders you’ll find in the market. But what we’ll include here are the four main types or most commonly used bird feeders: 

  • Tube Feeders: The tube feeders are made specifically to attract mainly just one type of bird. They are set up to shoo away any bird that you don’t wish to come by providing seeds that only that bird species would eat. 

Usually, bird watchers would hang tube feeders to attract smaller songbirds so that they wouldn’t be disturbed by larger birds when feeding. 

Tube feeders also usually have trays at the bottom and a circular perch where the birds can feed. 

On the list above, we can classify the Colohas Antique Dome Roof Bird Feeder and the Perky-Pet Sapphire Starburst Vintage Glass Wild Bird Feeder as tube feeders. They may not be designed like a tube, but they function as a tube feeder, given that they have small openings, allowing you to put only smaller bird seeds that would attract smaller birds. 

  • Hopper Feeders: Hopper feeders are normally designed like a house to keep the bird seeds protected from outside elements like rain, snow, or wind. 

This type of bird feeder is considered to be one of the best because it can accommodate any kind of bird seeds and feed any bird that you wish to attract. 

It also comes with perches or areas where birds can hop to feed. This allows multiple birds to feed at the same time while feeling safe and enjoying their own privacy. 

On the list above, we classify the West Charm Antique Lantern Style Lattice Hanging Bird Feeder as a hopper feeder. It has a roof and a clear glass that protects the seeds inside, and it has four perches. 

  • Platform or Tray feeders: Platform or tray feeders are the simplest type of bird feeder on this list. It’s mainly just open, and you can put anything you want. 

You can place fruits, bread, pasta, rice, jelly, peanut butter, or even water. It’s really up to you, depending on what kind of food the birds you want to attract eat. 

On the list above, we classify the Sungmor Heavy Duty Cast Iron Hanging Bird Feeder as an example of a platform feeder. It mainly just looks like an open plate but with an umbrella on top, which serves as its protection. 

Another one is the Whole House Worlds Vintage Tea Cup and Saucer Shape Bird Feeder. Although it’s not entirely flat because of its unique design, it is still a platform feeder because it’s mainly open, and there’s no protection against outside elements. 

  • Nectar feeders: Nectar feeders are bird feeders mainly designed for hummingbirds

As the name implies, these bird feeders should only be filled with nectar water. The food ports are also very small and would only fit needle-like beaks like the hummingbirds. 

The More Birds Antique Glass Bottle Hummingbird Feeder is the only hummingbird feeder on this list and can feed five hummingbirds at the same time. 

Quality

You then need to consider the quality of the bird feeder. Ask these questions: 

  • What materials were used?
  • Can it withstand any weather conditions? 
  • Will it stay for a long period? 

These questions will help you decide whether the bird feeder is worth buying or not. 

With the list above, we don’t find any problems in terms of the bird feeders’ quality. Each is well-built and made to last for longer periods. 

Capacity

The smaller the capacity, the more frequent you’d have to refill; that’s why this factor is something you need to consider. 

If you don’t want to refill every single day, don’t choose a small bird feeder that would do exactly that. Selecting a bird feeder with a bigger capacity would also allow you to go on vacation trips without worrying if birds will still have something to eat even if you’re gone. 

Size of Birds

You also need to think about the size of birds that visit your backyard or the bird species you want to attract. 

Naturally, if you wish to feed even the larger birds, you need to find a bird feeder that would accommodate them, like tray or platform feeders. 

On the other hand, if you want smaller birds to eat peacefully, you can place smaller bird feeders wherein only small birds can feed on. 

Ease of Cleaning and Refilling

You also want a bird feeder that is not hard to clean or refill. Doing so can be a hassle and a waste of time. Birds won’t also be happy when they visit your backyard and find no food to eat because you haven’t cleaned or refilled the bird feeder yet because you’re having a hard time. 

But most importantly, you need to make sure that you are able to clean every area of the bird feeder to ensure that no molds will grow. This will help ensure the safety of the birds that are feeding on it. 

Design

Since we’re talking about vintage bird feeders, the design is essential, too. 

There’s always something about vintage that makes it very sophisticated and classy. It has the ability to elevate any area in your home, including your backyard. 

And if you like birds but don’t want bird feeders that seem out of place in your overall home design, then you can never go wrong with vintages. 

With that said, find something aesthetically pleasing for your eyes and would match nicely in your backyard. After all, each of us has a very different taste, so go for something your eyes like, and you won’t regret displaying it in your backyard or garden. 

Budget

Lastly, consider your budget. 

Whatever you’re buying, even if it’s as simple as a bird feeder, consider your budget. 

How much are you willing to spend on a bird feeder? And how many bird feeders of that design do you want or need? 

Of course, if you’re buying bird feeders, one is not enough to accommodate every bird that passes by your home. So, think about how much money you’re willing to splurge, and then find a bird feeder that you think would be worth that price. 

Vintage Bird Feeder FAQs:

What is the best type of bird feeder? 

There’s not just one best type of bird feeder? 

As mentioned above, the bird feeder you choose would always depend on what types of birds you wish to attract or what food you want to feed them. 

However, it’s recommended to have one type of bird feeder each. This will help you attract different types of bird species. And if placed well in your backyard, having these stylish vintage pieces in your backyard will be great to look at. 

What kind of seeds should I put? 

This would depend on the kind of bird feeder you choose. 

For the hummingbird feeder, you’d need to put nectar water which is something you can make at home. Just mix ¼ cup of sugar with ¾ cup of water, and then you already have something for the hummingbirds. 

Make sure that you also change the nectar water once a week to ensure that the birds always have something fresh to eat. 

If you choose the tray or platform feeder like the Sungmor Heavy Duty Cast Iron Hanging Bird Feeder or the Whole House Worlds Vintage Tea Cup and Saucer Shape Bird Feeder, you can place just any type of food there. Sometimes, it’s not necessarily bird seeds. 

As for the other bird feeders on the list, you can place any small-sized bird seeds, especially for the tube feeders. However, the black oil sunflower seeds are said to be the favorite of most birds and would be a great choice. 

You can also choose to buy a birdseed mix to accommodate any bird species, especially if you’re using a hopper feeder. 

How frequently should I clean the bird feeders? 

It’s highly recommended to clean bird feeders at least twice a week. 

Cleaning bird feeders is not only meant to keep it looking pretty, but this will ensure that the food inside stays fresh. 

And because there are several birds that use it, bird diseases are spread easily. Fortunately, this is a problem that a simple cleaning should prevent. 

If you clean a bird feeder, make sure that you clean it thoroughly and that you let it dry well. 

Excess water can make the seeds soggy and will also attract molds which will be very dangerous for birds that visit your yard. 

How long before the birds come after I put up a new bird feeder? 

Short answer is: It depends!

There’s no way to tell when birds will visit your backyard and eat from your bird feeders. It can be as close as 2 minutes after you hang it up or as far as 2 months. 

However, just be patient, because birds will surely find it soon. 

So far, the selection above is found to be very attractive for birds and attracts them to fly in after just a few minutes or hours after you put them up. 

Is the bird feeder location important? 

Yes, it is. 

Your favorite song birds are not the only animals around. There will be large predators who will be on the lookout like hawks, so you need to place the bird feeder at a location where birds can eat without any fear. 

On top of that, always remember the appropriate measurements of how high or how far you should hang your bird feeder to prevent squirrels from attacking them. 

Our Verdict: The Best Vintage Bird Feeder

All six bird feeders on the list are of excellent quality and come with very intricate designs that can elevate your backyard. 

But overall, we consider the Sungmor Heavy Duty Cast Iron Hanging Bird Feeder as the best vintage bird feeder that you can have. 

It comes with a very straightforward but beautiful design. We think that it’s the best definition of vintage, given that it has a very rustic color. It can also be placed easily anywhere, whether it’s in your garden or backyard, and you can put any seed on it. 

If you’re looking for a platform feeder that is well-designed, sturdy, and worth the price, this is a great bird feeder to have. 

But again, if you’re looking for other bird feeder types, the other selections above are excellent choices as well. 

For sure, whatever you choose would elevate your home to another level, and your neighbors would wish to have your backyard.

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