The last things you want when choosing a bird feeder are wasted money or anything that scares off your birds. With the help of my beginner birdwatcher list, I’ll make sure you choose a feeder that works for you.

I’ve been birdwatching for years now, and I’ve definitely made a few of these mistakes in the past. Keep reading to avoid common (and slightly less common) mistakes so you can have a great time birdwatching year-round.

Holding Out Hope for the Perfect Feeder

Reasonable expectations are just as powerful a tool as your birdfeed or binoculars. Holding out hope for the perfect feeder will just leave you disappointed (or wasting your money entirely).

One of the most common mistakes when picking a feeder is neglecting your own perspective. Instead of hoping for ‘perfect,’ ask yourself the following questions:

• Will my feeder attract the bird species I’m most interested in seeing?
• Will my feeder have high-quality materials that hold up to repeated usage and time?
• Will my feeder match my outdoor furniture?
• Will my feeder be easy for me to clean and refill?
• Will my feeder be within my budget range?

If you find a feeder that only fits a few of these categories, never fear. Sometimes a decent feeder can still be very good for your needs as a birder.

Choosing an Incompatible Size for Your Bird Population

The wrong-size bird feeder isn’t just inconvenient. Some birds literally can’t use certain feeders because of their weight or their feeding habits, leaving you with a potential waste of a purchase.

Are you thinking of attracting tiny songbirds to your backyard? You’ll do well to get a sock feeder (also known as a nyjer feeder)

To attract small to medium-sized, birds, try a hopper feeder. Also known as a house feeder, hopper feeders have a quaint design that’s quite attractive to both small and medium-sized birds. Small to medium-sized birds have room to ‘hop’ around and enjoy some birdfeed at their leisure.

Some birds are a little too large to perch on a feeder, making feeding uncomfortable or even impossible. Platform feeders (also known as tray feeders) live up to their name by giving them a large space to stand on without the fear of tipping over.

Choosing Low-Quality Materials That Don’t Hold Up Well

I consider anything low-quality that easily breaks or has a high risk of attracting multiple outdoor hazards.

Many affordable bird feeders are made of plastic, which is a well-rounded material that holds up well to most outdoor hazards. You won’t have to worry about mold, rust, or corrosion.

However, if you live in a very hot area, plastic will immediately show its limits. Thin plastic can outright melt in the heat, while thicker plastic may still grow wrinkled and warped over time.

Metal is another material you’ll frequently encounter, particularly in suet and hopper feeders with metal mesh. This tough material is impossible for pesky squirrels to chew through and won’t melt in the sun like plastic.

You may be tempted to purchase a rustic, wooden bird feeder to match your wooden outdoor furniture, but beware! This material is one of the most finicky and requires a lot of upkeep. On the plus side, wood is very eco-friendly and can easily be recycled. On the downside, it’s prone to developing mold and mildew when exposed to moisture.

Forgetting To Take Into Account the Bird Feeder Placement

One of the biggest rookie birder mistakes is not being strategic about bird feeder placement. Not only do you need to consider how birds will reach your feeder, but you also need a convenient location to clean it weekly.

Choose an area where you’ll have easy access. Why put your bird feeder somewhere hard for you to reach? Since you need to regularly clean and stock this feeder, don’t put it far too high or in a tricky location so you can save time.

If you’re going to use a hanging feeder, make sure not to place it too close to a low-hanging branch or nearby ledge. These locations are prime for pesky squirrels who want free food or cats who want to turn your feathered friends into food.

Want your local bird population to stick around longer? Placing your feeder beneath tall tree cover or artificial shade will help them feel both protected and cool them off.

Overlooking Quality of Life Features That Will Save You a Headache

I can’t stress this enough: your bird feeder should be easy to use and easy to clean! Anything less and you might view your hobby as a chore.

Fortunately, bird feeder brands today work hard to pack in quality-of-life features that make birding a breeze. Look for features such as bee and ant guards to keep your feed clear, flip-tops to allow for easy refilling, and feeders with weight-activated squirrel-proof features.

Not Reading Verified User Reviews Before Purchasing

Now that you know about high-quality bird feeder materials and which feeder suits your favorite birds best, it’s time to buy. …Just kidding, it’s time to read verified user reviews!

As a writer and a marketer, I’m well aware that there’s only so much a product description or advertisement can tell you. Reading the verified user reviews of people who have bought a product will clue you into extra details you may not know about.

Make sure these reviews come from real accounts. An account is more likely to come from a real person with features such as:

• Having an icon with a photo
• Leaving several reviews in the past
• Getting specific with their feedback (no weird buzzwords or spamming keywords)

Forgetting To Add a Clean and Comfortable Bird Bath

Diversity of birds means a diversity of tools to attract them! I highly recommend supplementing your bird feeder and giving your backyard birds a bird bath.

Your outdoor space does a better job of simulating a bird’s natural environment when it has food and water. Also, a bird who’s not hungry at the moment may still want to linger for a quick dip.