Have you ever watched a flash of brilliant blue zip past your window? Bluebirds bring such a splash of color to any yard! But attracting these beautiful songbirds can sometimes feel like a puzzle. You want to help them, but what kind of feeder do they actually like? It’s easy to get confused staring at all the different designs and types available.
Choosing the wrong feeder can mean empty perches, or worse, attracting the wrong visitors. Bluebirds have specific needs, and standard feeders often don’t meet them. You might worry about keeping their food safe or ensuring only bluebirds feel welcome at your buffet. That’s where we step in to clear up the confusion!
This guide breaks down exactly what makes a successful bluebird feeder. We will show you the best features to look for, the safest foods to offer, and how to set up a feeding station they cannot resist. Get ready to welcome more of these stunning birds to your backyard sanctuary.
Top Bird Feeder For Bluebirds Recommendations
- SQUIRREL RESISTANT: With 1-1/2" fly-through openings, our bird feeder is designed to discourages squirrels from accessing the food as much as possible, and allowing bluebirds to feed in a safer and more comfortable environment
- DURABLE METAL MATERIAL: With its sturdy metal construction and anti-rust powder coated fnish, it can withstand a variety of outdoor elements, including wind, rain, and even pesky squirrels that love to chew. Great for year-round use
- EASY TO REFILL & CLEAN: Simply lift the top lid, and you can fill the glass bowl with Bluebirds' favorite food such as mealworms, insect suet pellets, or bluebird nuggets to continually attract your feathered friends to your yard
- KEEP DRY & FRESH: The bottom tray can hold up the scattered mealworms or be filled with seeds mix to attract more species of birds, while the tray has drainage holes, which can effectively prevent rainwater accumulation and keep the food dry and fresh
- GREAT GIFT CHOICE: The near-natural color makes birds approach more trustingly and boldly to enjoy food, so you can easily invite more birds into garden, adding more fun to the garden life. Making it a great gift for parents, children and bird lovers
- Designed for bluebirds with 1-1/2" fly-through openings to discourage larger birds
- Easy to refill by lifting the lid and filling with bluebirds' favorite foods. Adjustable chain size - The total height of the platform bird feeder is 15 inch with adjustable chain. Wildly in various sizes of space/trees
- Keep dry & fresh: The bottom tray can hold up the scattered mealworms or be filled with seeds mix to attract more species of birds, while the tray has drainage holes, which can effectively prevent rainwater accumulation and keep the food dry and fresh
- Durability for long lasting: Constructed from powder-coated heavy steel, it is engineered to withstand harsh weather conditions and is rust-resistant for long-term use
- Attract birds and bring nature: Attaching a bird feeder directly to the trunk of a tree birds love is a great way to attract trunk-hugging birds. Birds can perch and eat from all sides. Basket-style feeder can be filled with seed to attract a variety of wild birds
- Kaytee Mealworms are an excellent, high-protein food source for many wild birds. They are a high-energy treat that will attract many species of birds that are difficult to attract with traditional seed blends.
- Attract Bluebirds, Wrens, Robins, Chickadees, Woodpeckers and Cardinals
- Can be fed alone in a feeder or mixed with a favorited seed
- An important source of food for baby birds
- Oven dried for best quality
- Grey Squirrel-Proof: Our platform bird feeder features a secure metal mesh cover with 1.5 x 1.5-inch openings. This caged design allows smaller birds like Bluebirds, Chickadees, and Nuthatches to access the feeder while deterring larger unwanted visitors such as grey squirrels
- Bird-Friendly Design: With all-round openings and a fly-through design, this feeder encourages frequent visits from various bird species. The caged design promotes easy access and enhances your bird-watching experience
- Steady & Durable: Crafted from high-quality recycled plastic and rust-free metal, our platform feeder is built to endure rain, snow, and sunlight. It resists denting and breaking, ensuring long-lasting durability
- Metal Mesh Tray: The metal mesh at the bottom of the feeding tray provides excellent ventilation, keeping bird seeds fresh and dry. This design creates an ideal feeding environment for your feathered friends
- Ideal Gift: A perfect gift for bird enthusiasts, family, and friends. Ideal for anyone who loves bird-watching and connecting with nature
- 【Tailored for Dried Mealworms】 Great for attracting small birds that love nutritious mealworms, such as bluebirds, robins, wrens and chickadees. Stable perch upgrade allows small birds to eat with peace of mind.
- 【Universal for all seasons】Metal parts are fully covered with protective coating, equipped with a safety lid and four bottom drainage holes to ensure that mealworms are fresh and dry in rainy and snowy environments. Designed for optimal food preservation.
- 【Anti-residue optimization】 The upgraded base height is flush with the feeding port, and the slope diversion design ensures that feed is always accessible when reserves are low, and no bottom accumulation avoids waste.
- 【Easy to refill and clean】 Transparent compartments allow you to easily monitor food levels; the easy-fill lid on the top allows for quick refilling, and the upgraded removable base avoids accumulation in corners for easy and thorough cleaning.
- 【Ideal gift】 A perfect choice for bird lovers, family and friends; perfect for those who enjoy bird watching and close contact with nature.
- 【Tailored for Dried Mealworms】 Great for attracting small birds that love nutritious mealworms, such as bluebirds, robins, wrens and chickadees. Stable perch upgrade allows small birds to eat with peace of mind.
- 【Universal for all seasons】Metal parts are fully covered with protective coating, equipped with a safety lid and four bottom drainage holes to ensure that mealworms are fresh and dry in rainy and snowy environments. Designed for optimal food preservation.
- 【Anti-residue optimization】 The upgraded base height is flush with the feeding port, and the slope diversion design ensures that feed is always accessible when reserves are low, and no bottom accumulation avoids waste.
- 【Easy to refill and clean】 Transparent compartments allow you to easily monitor food levels; the easy-fill lid on the top allows for quick refilling, and the upgraded removable base avoids accumulation in corners for easy and thorough cleaning.
- 【Ideal gift】 A perfect choice for bird lovers, family and friends; perfect for those who enjoy bird watching and close contact with nature.
- Squirrel Proof: The mesh size of our mealworm feeder is 1.5x1.5 inches, which is specifically designed to allow only small birds to enter, while keeping larger birds and adult squirrels out, providing a safer feed environment for the little birds
- All Durable Metal Materials: The durable metal and anti-rust coating can resist any weather conditions. And our mealworm feeder comes with a convenient hook for easy hanging, you can hang it from a tree branch, a feeder pole or wherever you want
- Easy to Fill and Clean: The roof is removable for easy refilling and cleaning, while squirrels cannot easily open. In addition, the glass bowl can not only hold bird food, but also water, jam or mealworms
- Great Gift for Bird Lovers: Whether it’s a garden or a courtyard, this blue bird feeder is a great decoration. It is designed for small birds such as bluebirds, goldfinch and song sparrow. For anyone who enjoys bird watching and getting close to nature, this is a great gift choice
- After-sales Service: Customer satisfaction is our long-last pursuit. Gbekery provides efficient after-sales service. If you have problems with our product, you can contact us at any time directly and we will provide you with a solution as soon as possible
- Attracts bluebirds, woodpeckers, and other insect eaters
- Flexports prevent scatter and messes below the feeder
- Enclosed design keeps mealworms fresh and dry
- Removable lid for easy filling and cleaning
- Holds up to 3.5 oz of dried mealworms
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Your Bluebird Feeder
Bluebirds bring beautiful color to any backyard. To attract these special birds, you need the right feeder. This guide helps you choose the best home for your bluebird visitors.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping, look for feeders designed specifically for bluebirds. They have unique feeding habits.
- Open Design: Bluebirds prefer feeders where they can easily see their surroundings. A completely enclosed tube feeder will likely scare them away. Look for platform or hopper styles.
- Mealworm Access: Bluebirds love live or dried mealworms. The best feeders make it easy for bluebirds to reach these treats but keep other, larger birds out.
- Roof/Cover: A sturdy roof protects the food from rain and snow. This keeps the mealworms dry and fresh, which is very important for bluebird health.
- Perch Size: The perch should be just right—large enough for a bluebird to comfortably stand on while eating.
Important Materials
The material of the feeder affects how long it lasts and how safe it is for the birds.
You want strong, weather-resistant materials. Wood is popular because it looks natural. Make sure the wood is treated safely, without harmful chemicals. Plastic feeders are easy to clean. Choose thick, UV-resistant plastic so it does not become brittle in the sun.
Metal components, like screws and hinges, should be rust-proof. Rust weakens the feeder and looks bad. Avoid feeders with sharp edges that might hurt the birds’ feet.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Good quality means happy bluebirds and less work for you.
Improving Quality:
- Easy Cleaning: Birds get sick from old, moldy food. A high-quality feeder opens easily for quick scrubbing. You should be able to take the feeder apart without many tools.
- Squirrel Resistance: While no feeder is totally squirrel-proof, good designs make it hard for squirrels to sit on the perch or reach the food port.
- Drainage Holes: Small holes in the floor of the feeding tray let water escape quickly after a heavy rain. This prevents wet, spoiled food.
Reducing Quality:
Cheap, flimsy plastic breaks easily. Feeders painted with bright, shiny colors might scare away shy bluebirds. Also, feeders that hold too much food often mean that the food sits too long, becoming unsafe before the birds eat it all.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about where you plan to put the feeder.
Placement Matters: Bluebirds like open areas. They feel safer when they can see predators coming. Place your feeder in an open yard, away from thick bushes where cats hide. Mount it on a pole, not hanging from a tree branch.
Maintenance Routine: A good user experience means low hassle. If cleaning takes five minutes, you are more likely to do it often. If you use a hopper style, check the food level every few days.
The Best Use Case: These feeders work best when paired with a nearby nest box. Offering mealworms near their nesting site gives bluebirds the energy they need to raise their young. This creates a true bluebird sanctuary in your yard.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Bluebird Feeders
Q: What is the best type of food for bluebirds in a feeder?
A: Bluebirds primarily eat insects. The best food is live or dried mealworms. You can also offer suet specially made for bluebirds (not the hard block suet made for woodpeckers).
Q: Can I use a regular bird feeder for bluebirds?
A: Usually, no. Standard tube feeders are designed for seeds, which bluebirds rarely eat. They prefer platform feeders or specialized tray feeders for worms.
Q: Do bluebirds need a perch on the feeder?
A: Yes, they need a stable place to stand while eating. However, the perch should not be too long, which might allow larger birds like Starlings to dominate the space.
Q: How high should I mount the bluebird feeder?
A: Mount the feeder about five to six feet off the ground. This is a comfortable height for you to refill and clean, and it keeps the food safe from ground predators.
Q: Will this feeder attract squirrels?
A: Many bluebird feeders have small feeding ports designed to exclude large animals. However, squirrels are clever. Using a pole with a proper baffle (a metal shield) is the best way to stop squirrels.
Q: Should I put the feeder near a bluebird house?
A: Yes, this is highly recommended. Offering food near their nesting box provides essential nutrition, especially during the demanding nesting season.
Q: How often must I clean a bluebird feeder?
A: You must clean it at least once every two weeks. In hot, humid weather, clean it weekly to prevent mold growth on the mealworms.
Q: Can I leave food out in the winter?
A: Absolutely. Bluebirds stay in many areas all winter. Mealworms provide necessary high-protein energy when insects are hard to find.
Q: What color should the feeder be?
A: Keep the colors natural. Bluebirds prefer natural browns, grays, or muted greens. Avoid bright red or yellow, as these can sometimes attract predators.
Q: Are plastic feeders safe, or must they be wood?
A: Both are safe if they are high quality. Plastic is very easy to sanitize. Wood looks great but must be kept dry and free of peeling paint.