Window bird feeders vs standard bird feeders – an expert reveals which is best for your yard

Bird feeders are the perfect way to help local bird populations. You help birds feed themselves and their chicks, and in return you can listen to beautiful birdsong.

You can get a much closer view of these birds if you use a window bird feeder. These feeders stick onto windows and let you see birds up close. However, if you're not a birder, you may not know why you'd pick one bird feeder over the other.

I spoke to a bird feed expert about the difference between the two feeders and which is best for different yards. While some local authorities recommend taking down bird feeders to prevent avian flu, those in unaffected areas might find a window bird feeder is the best way to protect local birds.

What's the difference between the two bird feeders?

There's a simple difference between the two types of bird feeders. Standard bird feeders are the typical shape, a cylinder filled with seed hung from a tree or pole. There are variations of this type; you can also find bird feeders that use suet cakes and hummingbird feeders filled with nectar.

Bird feeding expert Isabelle Manseau explains that: 'Standard bird feeders are available in various sizes and styles, can hold more seed and accommodate larger birds but require more space and are typically placed farther from the house.'

Window bird feeders, on the other hand, are small trays of feed that stick to the windows of your home. This allows you to see birds up close from the warmth and comfort of your sofa. Isabelle explains that 'Window bird feeders are designed for smaller birds. Usually attaches directly to windows using suction cups and allows close-up indoor bird viewing.'

Isabelle also gave me a great summary of the difference. 'Your objectives, available space, and the type of birds you want to attract will all influence the "best" bird feeder. Standard feeders are better for drawing a large range of birds and supporting larger species, but window feeders are excellent for up-close birdwatching in smaller spaces.'

Isabelle Manseau

Isabelle is a bird-lover and the founder of Birdzy, a company which specialises in hand-made bird-feeding products.

What are the benefits of a window bird feeder?

Window feeders are great options for homes with limited outdoor space. If you live in an apartment or condo, or your yard has limited spots for bird feeders, a window bird feeder can be a great way to help support local bird populations.

It can also be a great option if you don't like the cold. A window bird feeder means you can watch birds from the comfort of your home without having to go out in the yard. It can make a great addition to a home office, as watching birds through the window can be an excellent break from work.

Unlike larger standard bird feeders, window bird feeders are easy to clean, because you can quickly wash them by hand in a sink or bucket. They also tend to be easier to fill, because it can be tricky to fill up large mesh bird feeders without spilling seed everywhere. Isabelle Manseau says: 'A window bird feeder offers intimate indoor birdwatching, space-saving, easy refilling and cleanability.'

On top of that, window bird feeders tend to prevent pests like squirrels. Placed in an apartment window or the second storey of a house, these feeders are high enough that squirrels can't reach them, and in awkward spots they can't climb to. Isabelle says 'Being mounted to a window prevents squirrels from stealing food and deters predators.'

If you like birdsong, a window bird feeder might be your best bet. These feeders are best-suited to feeding small birds. Isabelle says 'Window bird feeders are perfect for little birds like chickadees, finches, sparrows and nuthatches.'

What are the drawbacks of a window bird feeder?

Window collisions are the biggest potential drawback to window bird feeders. Birds do not always understand that windows are obstacles and attempt to fly through them, which can injure or even kill them. This can be more likely if you place a bird feeder on the window and much more likely if your windows reflect nearby trees.

These feeders are only suitable for smaller birds. While there are exceptions, larger birds are too wide and heavy for these feeders, so they either cannot feed at all or will pull the feeder off the window, scattering seed that's a nuisance to clean and can attract pests.

Many cheap window feeders on Amazon use low-quality plastic and rubber, so the suction cups don't stick to the windows properly. This, too, can cause the bird feeder to fail, falling to the ground and scattering messy seed all over the place.

Isabelle Manseau says: 'Window bird feeders have drawbacks, including limited seed capacity, attracting only smaller birds, potential window collisions and reliance on poor quality suction cups. I prefer the type that use adhesive sticky pads.'

What are the benefits of a standard bird feeder?

Standard bird feeders can attract many more birds than window feeders. Because they're larger, standard bird feeders can hold many different types of seeds, from tiny poppy seeds to large sunflower seeds, and this attracts a wider range of birds.

This size also means that a more typical bird feeder can stand up to the weight of lots of different bird species, so they can handle larger native birds like blue jays and woodpeckers.

These feeders can also be placed away from the house, which means less mess if the seeds spill and less bird excrement on paths and patios.

There are also lots of different types of standard bird feeders. You can use small standard bird feeders to attract songbirds, suet bird feeders for warblers, and nectar bird feeders for hummingbirds.

What are the drawbacks of a standard bird feeder?

Standard bird feeders are more exposed to pests like squirrels, even with squirrel baffles and counterweights. Crucially, these feeders are also exposed to predators like house cats and birds of prey.

Typical bird feeders are usually much harder to clean. A window bird feeder is really just a plastic tray, but a traditional bird feeder has lots of components that can be finicky to clean.

A stand bird feeder should be placed a little way away from your home, so it's usually a little hard to see any birds when they visit your home.

Isabelle Manseau gave me a great summary. 'Standard bird feeders require more space, offer less intimate viewing, can be difficult to clean and refill, and expose them to predators like cats, squirrels and hawks.'

Before you buy a new bird feeder, you should know how to find a bird feeder that limits infection. While there is no country-wide advice to take down bird feeders during the current bird flu outbreak, you can pick bird feeders that help to limit infection.