So long as they’re not after any seeds you’ve planted, it’s always a delight to watch birds visit your garden. And between October and April, when food in the wild is much more scarce, a predictable source of food will be highly appreciated by your feathered visitors.
Feeders come in all shapes and sizes, to cater for all shapes, sizes, species and feeding habits of birds, but to be sure of attracting the widest range and leaving no bird out an all-in-one feeding station is your guarantee of maximum delivery.
So if they want to peck at peanuts, nibble at seed or feast on a fat ball these one-stop solutions have something for every bird.
And should you want to offer your visitors somewhere to drink and bathe, take a look at our list of the best bird baths. And for more information on which berries and plants your winged guests will appreciate for food, read our article on plants for birds.
Where is the best place to put bird feeders?
You’ll want to put your feeder in a sheltered place that is difficult for cats, squirrels, rats and other pests to access. Birds will avoid your feeder if they see any predators near it. Hanging feeders can be attached to tree branches clear of the ground, but you should still make sure there aren’t any nearby branches that might allow pests to bother your birds. Bird tables are best erected on a tall post that keeps them well clear of the ground
Best bird feeders in 2022
Selections wooden multi bird feeder
!["Bird]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/18/2021/08/GFH762_NH01-800x800-bdad3d0.jpeg?quality=90&resize=413%2C413" "\"Bird")
We love the compact nature of this wooden feeder, which will make a pretty and unobtrusive addition to any garden – you’ll just need to make sure you have a branch or bracket to hang it from.
Although it’s small in size, this feeder can pack in many different types of food to create a winter buffet for the birds. From seeds and nuts to fruit and fat balls, with dish for water too, there’s plenty to go around. It even includes space for the birds to perch and take a break from guzzling the goods.
Harrod crown top bird feeding station
!["Screenshot]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/18/2021/08/Screenshot-2022-01-10-at-16.48.44-8713c68.png?quality=90&resize=410%2C413" "\"Screenshot")
The most expensive feeder on the list, this is a statement feeding station that can hold up to three different feeders. Standing over two metres from the ground, it would work as a focal point for any size garden.
The frame is galvanised steel and the hooks for the feeders are squirrel proof – they can’t be thrown to the ground. Grow plants up the support for a more charming effect and it’ll offer some protection for the smaller birds who can hide, and feed happily within the foliage.
One up, one down bird feeder
!["Double]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/18/2021/08/Screenshot-2022-01-10-at-16.58.38-f4b59c0.png?quality=90&resize=414%2C413" "\"Double")
On split levels, this small but multi-use feeder allows room for a birds large and small to graze your winter spread, and the aluminium roof will keep the birds and their food dry.
Simple in design and easy to clean, this feeder would suit an urban garden with less space: a balcony or roof terrace perhaps. Just remember to hang it away from any windows so the birds don’t run the risk of flying into them.
Tom Chambers Elegance Bird Feeding Station
!["Elegance]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/18/2021/08/Screenshot-2022-01-10-at-17.07.21-d183384.png?quality=90&resize=415%2C413" "\"Elegance")
Sporting an attractive copper finish, this elegant and shapely feeder is both eye-catching and practical. There are 10 hooks in total to hang feeders, as well as a heavy duty seed tray – ideal for suet balls – and water tray for the birds to enjoy a drink and a wash.
This is a very sturdy option and it looks smart. Plus all the feeding stations are situated a good distance from the ground to give more protection to the birds. If you have the space and love to welcome lots of feathery friends into the garden, this multi-armed feeding station will attract species large and small and you can spend many a relaxing moment watching them come and go.
Premium Bird Feeding Station
!["Screenshot]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/18/2021/08/Screenshot-2022-01-10-at-17.16.21-6972005.png?quality=90&resize=301%2C413" "\"Screenshot")
This wooden bird feeding station has four platforms for your garden birds to feed from. It’s suitable for any feed of your choice, and there’s room to add more hooks for hanging feeders if you find you need extra.
Made from FSC certified timer and slate, this design is more traditional in appearance and would lovely in a cottage-style or country garden. The solid base will help prevent the table from toppling over easily and the whole frame has been protected with a weatherproof finish to ensure it’s long-lasting.
Kingfisher Bronze Copper Effect Solar Powered Bird Hotel
- Buy now from Amazon (£28.39)
!["Copper]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/18/2021/08/002ef153-69b3-49c1-aff9-60b2f81f6e24.__CR00970600_PT0_SX970_V1___-e083ec9.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C384" "\"Copper")
A ‘hotel’ is a great way to describe this rather grand feeding station. It has a bird bath, bird feeder, garden light and built in planter, so you can add a plantsman’s touch.
It is quite lightweight so you will need to find a way of holding it in place in winter, but the copper finish is resistant to all extremes of weather and temperatures. It looks the part for a fraction of the price.
Wild Wings Feeding Station
!["Wild]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/18/2021/08/7518006_-_wild_wings_dining_station_-_insitu_1_-6b77e7e.jpeg?quality=90&resize=413%2C413" "\"Wild")
One assured way of bringing lots of birds into your garden is by setting up a bird table on your lawn, with several points of access. This shapely feeding station, which will certainly be hard for cats or foxes to climb, stands at 2.4 metres tall and has five feeder arms, a water tray and a seed tray.
In a slate grey, it’ll look good in any style of garden and we love the small details, such as the cut out robin perched on the top and the elegant curls of the hooks. A very attractive piece for the birds to dine out on.
Garden Selections Wild Bird Feeding Station
!["Garden]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/18/2020/01/best_bird_feeders_wild_bird_station-1-6e13f59.jpg?quality=90&resize=551%2C413" "\"Garden")
This steel, bronze-finished bird station from Garden Selections will turn your garden into a bustling hangout for your local birds. It features a water tray, four separate feeders and, what the manufacturers delightfully describe as ‘bathing facilities’. Seriously, you might want to start charging admission.