10 Best Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders
Here’s my list of the best squirrel proof bird feeders that will attract birds to your backyard and keep them coming back.
Not only will the birds be grateful for the beneficial seeds you’ve provided to supplement their diets. It’s also important for your wallet and sanity!
Why I’m qualified to review these bird feeders. I’ve been a long time birdwatcher. I’ve been using feeders to attract birds to my yard for over 15 years.
Because I lived in eight different homes during that time, and had many different feeders.
This is because the location changed, distance from trees and there were different bird species.
I’ve owned a including a window seed feeder, window suet, cage feeder, tube feeder, and a hanging perch feeder.
I even made my own 100% squirrel proof bird feeder, but I’m guessing your here reading this because you don’t want to make your own (link below in case you do).
Each type has its benefits and since I’ve been doing some research and thought I’d share it with you to save you some time in your search for a bird feeder that is squirrel proof.
Based on my research, the overall choice for best squirrel proof bird feeder is number 7 on the list, the Birds Choice 431 Bird Feeder.
The reason I like this feeder the best is:
- It can hold 10 pounds of seed.
- Has the most consistent reviews for being squirrel proof.
- It is pole mounted, and is 6 feet long which is high enough to be out of reach for nearly every squirrel when jumping straight from level ground.
- The pole allows me to add a baffle below for extra protection.
- Customers were appreciative of the manufacturer’s customer service.
That’s the one that works the best for most situations, but some factors that may make it not the perfect fit for you.
So please continue on to learn about the important factors to consider when choosing your feeder. Or you can click her to go straight to the list of best feeders.
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I only recommend products I’ve used and loved, unless otherwise stated. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.
What To Look For When Shopping For The Best Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders
- I think the first consideration in choosing a bird feeder that is squirrel proof is going to be the location you want to place the feeder.
Some feeders do a good job, even if the squirrel can reach it from a branch or the ground. - Some will need to be at least 6 feet from an adjacent branch, 9 feet from a branch or roof above and the feeding station itself, must be 6 feet from the ground.
- Think about the types of birds you are trying to attract. Some feeders can only hold nyjer seed (thistle). This will attract finches and pine siskins.
Feeders that can hold sunflower seeds will get a greater variety. For the best variety, a bird feeder that can hold a suet feeder in addition to the two above will be your best bet.
You can find out more about how to attract birds to your yard in this article. - You should think about the seed capacity. How easy is the feeder to get to, and how often is reasonable for you to fill it?
- Other factors to consider are a lifetime warranty, quality and price.
For attracting birds to your backyard, the type of bird food you use will be key. The best seed you can provide to get the biggest bird species variety will be black oil sunflower seeds.
And here’s a tip: if you want to avoid a mess of shells on your grass, you can purchase the shelled version, sometimes called meaties.
This tends to be pricier than other types, but you can find good prices at a tractor supply type of store or even sometimes at Home Depot and Walmart.
Here’s an article I found that has great information for which birds eat which seed. And why it’s important not to buy some types of seed and why some types sold, almost no bird will even eat, like safflower seed.
For those interesting in making your own, click here for the DIY guaranteed to be squirrel-proof feeder.
The Best Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders of 2024
1. Yankee Flipper
Price Range: $$$$
Description
The price might feel high for the photo you are looking at, but this feeder has a special feature.
It has a motorized perch that spins that is activated by the weight of a squirrel. The squirrel will actually go whirling into the air when it attempts to land on the ring shaped perch.
It comes with a charger to charge the rechargeable batteries.
There’s an internal baffle that helps to push the seed to the feeding ports for better flow.
Features
Seed Capacity: 5 lbs
Material: Metal base and cap, tube is polycarbonate- UV resistant
Feeding Ports: 4
Mount Type: Hanging
Benefits
Typically does keep the squirrels from reaching the food.
Potential Drawbacks
Has batteries that need to be recharged.
It’s weight activated, so as typical with many squirrel proof feeders, some larger birds, such as blue jays, may activate the spinner.
The price may be out of budget for many.
Tips or Comments from the Reviews
While most felt this was very good at being squirrel proof, the batteries are nickel cadmium which tends to wear down more often.
While some reviewers had no problem, others did. This was the main complaint among the reviews.
This one comes with a solar charger and has a motor inside.
The perch is weight activated so when a squirrel lands on it, the weight of a squirrel will cause the perch to spin, causing it to fly off.
2. Brome Squirrel Buster Plus
Price Range: $$$$
Description
This squirrel-proof feeder prevents squirrels from stealing your wild bird seed by weight activation.
When the weight of a squirrel reaches the ring, it activates a spring that makes the doors to the seed ports slide down to close them off.
Features
Seed Capacity: 5.1 lbs
Material: Plastic
Feeding Ports: 6
Mount Type: Hanging, can be pole mounted
Benefits
There’s a lifetime warranty for some parts
Adjustable perch size
Potential Drawbacks
It’s plastic, but also has the lifetime warranty
Tips or Comments from the Reviews
When the seed levels start to drop down to the level of the ports, the seed may not come out. It’s best to top it off before it reaches that level.
3. PestOff Squirrel Proof Wild Bird Feeder
Price Range: $$
Description
This is a tube style feeder that when a squirrel lands on the port, the perch port closes.
Features
Seed Capacity: 3lbs
Material: Metal and UV resistant Polycarbonate
Feeding Ports: 2
Mount Type: Hanging
Benefits
100% Satisfaction Money Back Guarantee
Potential Drawbacks
It is activated by weight so may prevent larger birds from feeding.
Tips or Comments from the Reviews
Early reviews complain about squirrels chewing through plastic, but the manufacturer states that the top and bottom are now made of metal.
The customers of recent reviews were mostly quite happy.
4. Perky-Pet 334-1SR Squirrel-Be-Gone Max Bird Feeder
Price Range: $
Description
The weight of the squirrel will close off the ports of this feeder.
Features
Seed Capacity: 4lbs
Material: Metal and plastic
Feeding Ports: 4
Mount Type: Hanging
Potential Drawbacks
Again weight activated so may not allow large birds access to the seed.
Tips or Comments from the Reviews
The rubber feeding port holes are meant to decrease the amount of seed that spills from the feeder, but many reviewers felt they did the opposite.
5. Absolute Squirrel Resistant Bird Feeder, Model 23803
Price Range: $$
Description
Weight activated so it prohibits squirrels from feeding due to their weight.
Features
Seed Capacity: 15lbs
Material: Steel
Feeding Ports: 2
Mount Type: Hang or pole mount, includes pole and metal hanger
Benefits
Large capacity
Potential Drawbacks
Weight activated so it prohibits squirrels from feeding due to their weight, but they can also sometimes prohibit larger birds like Blue Jays from feeding as well.
The pole is about a foot short of a squirrel’s jumping range.
Tips or Comments from the Reviews
Replace the wooden dowel perch with a metal one. You can use an inexpensive threaded rod from the hardware store.
6. Squirrel Buster Standard Squirrel-proof Bird Feeder- Double Capacity
Price Range: $$
Description
This is weight activated, when a squirrel reaches its perch, a shroud inside the feeder moves down and closes.
Features
Seed Capacity: 2.6lbs
Material: Plastic with metal cage
Feeding Ports: 4
Mount Type: Hanging
Benefits
Some parts are covered under a lifetime warranty.
Potential Drawbacks
Weight activation will limit some larger birds from feeding.
Tips or Comments from the Reviews
Most reviews are great. If you’re having trouble, contact customer service. It may be a problem with the unit.
7. Birds Choice 431 Bird Feeder
Price Range: $$$
Description This is a large capacity pole feeder that has perches that are weight activated.
Features
Seed Capacity: 10lbs
Material: Plastic that is baked enamel coated and aluminum ports and perch
Feeding Ports: 4
Mount Type: Pole- 6’ after burying
Benefits
A ton of seed capacity. It comes with a 6+ foot pole.
Potential Drawbacks
Weight activated, so some large birds may not be able to feed.
Tips or Comments from the Reviews
The reviews are more solid than most, but some had problems with the ports loosening from the plastic.
However, contacting customer service resulted in a new, non-defective one being sent.
8. Perky-Pet 8lb Squirrel-Be-Gone II Feeder Home
Price Range: $
Description
A hanging feeder in the shape of a house. This feeder holds a great deal of seed and has a perch activated by a squirrel’s weight.
Features
Seed Capacity: 8lbs
Material: Metal
Feeding Ports: 1
Mount Type: Hang or pole mount
Benefits
Large feeding capacity.
Potential Drawbacks
It has only one feeding port which may cause congestion and be a deterrent for small birds.
Tips or Comments from the Reviews
A pole with a baffle makes this work better for being squirrel proof.
9. Brome Squirrel Buster Suet Feeder
Price Range: $$
Description
A suet cake feeder only. This feeder has an external shroud that is weight activated and closes over the suet, shutting off access to it.
Features
Seed Capacity: Holds 2 suet cakes
Material: Metal mesh
Feeding Ports: NA
Mount Type: Hanging
Benefits
It holds two suet cakes and has extra room on it for other birds. It has a crumb tray to reduce waste under your feeder.
Tips or Comments from the Reviews
It may take several weeks before the birds figure out how to use it. Just give it time.
Some smaller birds may have difficulty reaching the suet that is further back, but eventually the cake should drop down, giving them access again.
10. Squirrel Solution200 Squirrel-proof Bird Feeder
Price Range: $$
Description
A hanging feeder with multiple perches. The metal cage also allows for other birds to grasp the mesh while waiting for a port to be free.
Features
Seed Capacity: 3.4lb
Material: Plastic with a metal cage
Feeding Ports: 6
Mount Type: Hanging
Benefits
Some parts are covered under a lifetime warranty. It has 6 ports to accommodate more birds.
Potential Drawbacks
This feeder is weight activated, so some larger birds may not be able to feed.
Tips or Comments from the Reviews
It loses a lot of seed from the bottom.
Add-ons to Help Prevent Squirrels from Reaching a Feeder
Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeding Station
Price Range: $$$$$
Description
This is a feeding station. It comes with an 8 foot pole, four arms and the squirrel pole baffle.
Features
Seed Capacity: NA
Material: Powder coated steel
Feeding Ports: NA
Mount Type: Pole and arm system only- no feeders included
Potential Drawbacks
The manufacturer does state that this needs to be 10 feet from objects so that the squirrel doesn’t jump to the arms.
Tips or Comments from the Reviews
People were very satisfied with this pole mount with arm system.
One tip that came up often in the comments is even though it comes with a 6″ sugar to help stabilize into the ground, it just isn’t deep enough for the height and weight of the system.
You should go a minimum of a foot in the ground. I used a great trick that worked perfectly with my DIY Squirrel Proof Feeder, using a PVC pipe buried in concrete and the pole inserted into that. The link to that is at the bottom of the page.
Squirrel Pole Baffles
Price Range: $$
Pole baffles are mounted onto the feeding poles below the feeders. These are slick and wide.
This prevents squirrels from climbing the pole because when they reach the baffle, they can’t wrap their arms around a cylindrical object that is that wide without sliding down.
Other Options For Deterring Squirrels From Bird feeders
If you are turned off by not finding a squirrel proof feeder that universally solves the pesky squirrel problem, then consider this.
Look for a standard bird feeder that is on a pole and is situated 6’ or more from the ground, 9’ from any objects across or above it.
In addition, get a squirrel baffle for below, or use an HVAC pipe and purchase a dome-shaped lid for above, which will also help prevent the seed from getting wet and mildewed.
This will be at least as effective as any of the feeders listed above.
While the majority of people do find success with the feeders mentioned, the reason many don’t have perfect reviews is user error, or just an inability to position the feeder where it can’t be accessed by the squirrels.
Squirrels are incredibly smart and if they can access the actual feeder, eventually they will always find a way.
And again, for a guaranteed squirrel proof feeder (if situated correctly), check out my DIY Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder.
Don’t forget to Pin it for later!
The following are the different types of bird feeders.
Pole Mount
To be squirrel proof, pole mount feeders will benefit from the addition of a squirrel baffle below the feeder.
Just be sure the pole is metal because a squirrel can chew through most other materials.
Window Feeder
The benefit of a window feeder is that you can see the birds up close. If you’re a birder and like identifying birds, then this is a great advantage.
When it comes to being squirrel proof, there aren’t great mechanisms for window feeders. However, in a way, they are innately squirrel proof.
This is because you can easily put them on a window that is high enough off the ground for a squirrel to jump and far enough away from a tree limb.
Caged Feeder
A caged feeder contains the seed within a wire mesh or steel cage. Metal will be resistant to squirrel damage.
Tube Feeder
Is either a tube made of glass or a plastic sleeve that usually has openings spaced at several locations up and down the tube and at the bottom. This allows for several feeding stations.
A tube feeder is best for finches and small songbirds and smaller birds.
Hanging Feeder
These will have a hook or ring at the top of the feeder that may or may not come with a wire or chain to be attached to a shepherd’s hook or bird feeder pole with arms.