Finding the best bluebird feeder can be a joyful journey.
Just like you, I've been on a quest to discover the perfect haven for these charming songbirds and finally found a product that fits the bill.
This article summarizes my in-depth research to help you make an informed purchase, starting with the top-rated Erva Bluebird Feeder.
Page Contents
Review of the Top 5 Best Bluebird Feeders
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Erva Bluebird Feeder |  Editor's Choice |
Keeps Squirrels Off
|
Check Price on Amazon |
| 2. Kettle Moraine Cedar Bluebird Mealworm Feeder |  Best House Design |
High-Quality Materials
|
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| 3. Stokes Select 38200 Bird Feeder |  Simplest Design |
Simple & Sleek
|
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| 4. Perky-Pet Dried Mealworm Bird Feeder |  Best Budget Buy |
Keeps Rodents Out
|
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| 5. Woodlink Audubon Bluebird Feeder |  Most Stylish |
Elegant Dome Design
|
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1. Erva Bluebird Feeder (Best Overall)
The Erva Bluebird Feeder provides a wholesome experience while watching your backyard bluebirds eat. There is a lot to love about this product, from its brilliant blue color to its 360-degree design.
One of the biggest problems birdwatchers face is keeping squirrels off their feeders.
The Erva Bluebird feeder's cage-style design keeps squirrels away without giving up functionality and aesthetics.
Here’s how it works:
The spaces between the metal mesh are designed to only let in bluebirds and other small birds. While larger-sized birds might still be able to perch on the metal from outside, it is almost impossible for them to reach the mealworms inside.
I love how the circular, open design enables you to view the bluebirds from any angle, so it doesn't matter if the feeder rotates in the wind.
Plus, the convenient cup in the middle of this feeder works to provide extra treats like jelly or fruits in addition to mealworms.
Pros
- Bright hues design adds some color to your backyard
- Keeps off squirrels from invading mealworms
- You can remove the top and this makes it easy to clean
Cons
- May need to guide birds into the feeder using a branch or a dowel
- Small feeding cup
2. Kettle Moraine Cedar Bluebird Mealworm Feeder (Best House Design)
Kettle Moraine is one of the most popular names in the birdwatching industry. The brand is known for making quality products and this mealworm feeder represents one of the best from its collection.
What you want in a mealworm feeder is a feeder that can provide the bluebirds with their favorite meal as well as keep out other (bigger) birds who equally love mealworms.
This is exactly what you get in Kettle Moraine Cedar Bluebird Mealworm Feeder.
The product has two holes that are 1.5" in diameter, which is an adequate size that makes it impossible for entry by larger birds. This bluebird feeder by Kettle Moraine is designed tastefully with smooth edges and surfaces.
One thing I really love about the Kettle Moraine bluebird feeder compared to some other feeders is the ease of placing food with the hinged roof design.
You can easily remove this hanging bluebird feeder to refill the food or move it to another location.
The screws are made from stainless steel which makes them impervious to rust caused by rainfall and moisture accumulation.
Pros
- Made of high-quality materials
- Can attract bluebirds and repel bully birds
- The plexiglass makes for easy viewing of bluebirds in the feeder
Cons
- Bluebirds can get trapped in the feeder due to confusing construction
This hanging wooden bluebird feeder is made of quality cedar which makes it easy to use perfect for every season.
3. Stokes Select 38200 Hanging Bluebird Feeder (Best Simple Design)
It doesn’t come simpler than the Stokes Select 38200 Bird Feeder.
This product consists of two main components that combine provide all the feeding that bluebirds need: the hook and the feeding tray.
Simplicity in design is one of the things to love about the Stokes Select 38200 product.
This bird feeder has a curved metal hanger hook which gives the feeder all the stability it needs even when the bluebirds perch on the feeding tray.
The second component is the blue-colored feeder tray made of thick polycarbonate plastic that prevents breakage even if the feeder drops on the ground.
The Stokes Select Bird Feeder is so simple to use and set up that you don't need a manual in order to use it properly.
Plus:
The blue design of the feeder also makes it easy to spot and easily attracts birds of various types (though this could be much of a con as it is a pro).
The metal hanger is powder coated with black; this is aimed at preventing rust in order to make the feeder last longer.
Pros
- It is very easy to clean
- The blue color of the feeding tray attracts bluebirds
- It is easy to handle and can be placed anywhere in your backyard
- The hanger is sturdy enough to withstand external forces such as the presence of birds and even wind.
Cons
- The design is too shallow to hold a lot of food
- Uncovered which exposes food to the elements
The simple design of the Stokes Select feeder is the most unique thing about it which makes it stand out as one of the best bluebird feeders.
4. Perky-Pet Dried Mealworm Feeder (Best Budget Buy)
The Perky-Pet provides an ideal solution for birdwatchers who are tired of having to deal with intrusive rodents during the bluebird season.
It has a unique design compared to the other mealworm feeders on this list.
One of the biggest joys of using the Perky-Pet feeder is that you avoid having to refill your feeder every day. This bluebird mealworm feeder has the capacity to hold up to 3.5 ounces of dried juicy mealworms.
The Perky-Pet has a tightly-sealed container that ensures all of the mealworms in the feeder go to the bluebirds instead of falling out, which is quite common with many mealworm bird feeders.
When filled to full capacity, this feeder can feed dozens of bluebirds for 3 to 5 days. If you have a lesser number of bluebirds in your area, it can last even longer!
Another problem that this mealworm bird feeder solves is preventing wet and soggy bird feed from rainfall.
You can easily tell when it is time to refill by taking a quick glance at the transparent plastic tube. Cleaning and refiling are also made easy by the removable lid that comes with the feeder.
Pros
- Easy to monitor the amount of food consumed
- Easy to clean
- Easy to refill
- Keeps out the rodents
Cons
- The plastic material it is made from doesn’t make it long-lasting.
- The holes are very tiny and it can make it difficult to eat mealworms easily.
This budget-friendly feeder from Perky-Pet is well-covered and protects the mealworms from the elements and unwanted visitors. The unique design helps to solve a number of problems associated with feeding bluebirds is what makes it stand out.
5. Woodlink NABBFDR Audubon Bluebird Feeder (Most Stylish)
The Woodlink NABBFDR takes the cake as the best stylish option in this review. If you are looking for a bluebird feeder that could add a bit of elegance and style to your backyard, this might just be what you need.
Here’s why:
The top dome design of the feeder is quite easy on the eye but it offers more than just beauty. It also helps to shield the mealworms from mild to heavy rains as well as from snow.
The dome top is also adjustable, which means that you can change the size of the feeder according to the number of birds and the amount of food you have.
The plastic is transparent which ensures you can have a clear view of the amount of mealworm left in the feeder at all times. The plastic is also made from thick polycarbonate that is resistant to ultraviolet rays making this feeder stylish yet very functional.
Pros
- Keeps unwanted forces like rain and rodents away.
- It is resistant to the sun's rays.
- Easy to clean and refill
Cons
- The top dome can catch the wind and this makes the mealworms to be thrown out, or the whole feeder falls.
Woodlink designed the feeder to frustrate the efforts of rodents in trying to reach the mealworms in the feeder. First, the smooth curve of the dome makes it impossible for them to move and when they decide to hang from the top of the feeder, they are unable to reach the meal because of the distance.
How We Selected The Top Bluebird Feeders
Bluebird feeders provide a very effective way of attracting birds to your backyard or garden, especially by putting mealworms in the feeder.
However, there are a few things to consider before buying a feeder for bluebirds, which are key factors I utilized to select the best products above.
Capacity is Key
The size or capacity of the feeder needs to be given special consideration.
There are two major reasons why you need a bluebird feeder with substantial capacity:
- You won’t have to refill it constantly, and
- You'll be able to attract more bluebirds
If the size of the feeder is too small, you might spend most of your time going back and forth trying to refill the feeder instead of actually watching the birds. Also, in areas with lots of bluebirds, a smaller feeder won't be able to accommodate them all at once.
If a feeder is too large, the food will stay out for a long time and can go bad due to mold, especially if the feeder constantly gets wet due to a lot of rainfall. Also, larger feeders can attract unwanted species such as starlings or grackles.
House Feeders or Not?
House feeders are the type of feeders that offer a semblance to tiny houses or cages. They make for a great addition to your garden or backyard and the blue color (most feeders often come in blue) makes them stand out.
The house-like design of these feeders also provides a sort of protection for the birds against weather conditions such as rainwater and winter snow.
They also have enough room to hold a decent amount of mealworms to last up to 3-5 days.
The biggest downside to to house feeders is that they don’t offer great squirrel-proof protection.
That means you have to place them on a secure platform away from tree branches and ledges.
Functionality in a Backyard Feeder
Here's what really matters: You need the feeder to attract bluebirds easily, keep out bigger bully birds, be squirrel-proof, and prevent mealworms from falling out.
A non-negotiable characteristic in a bluebird feeder is the ability to provide mealworms since bluebirds don't rely on seeds like most backyard birds.
This means that the feeder should be as visible as possible while still remaining rodent-proof. The inclusion of a feature that makes jelly treats possible (which makes it attract orioles as well) is likewise a welcome addition.
Fun Fact: You might want to try a window sill bird feeder for an in-your-face bird feeding experience!
Do Bluebirds Eat Mealworms?
Yes, bluebirds love mealworms! Bluebirds are not your typical birds; they feed only on insects, snails, worms, and other invertebrates.
During the breeding season, which occurs during the spring and summer between the m months of March and July, bluebirds require a higher protein uptake to feed their growing chicks.
Mealworm is a favorite of these birds and can be served either live or dried.
Bluebirds prefer the live version but they will cost you more than dried mealworms, which are easier to handle and store for a long time.
Mealworm Feeding Tips to Attract Bluebirds
Below are a few tips that you will find helpful after buying the mealworm feeder.
- Mix a little bit of live and dried mealworms at first. Your long-term plan is to make use of dried mealworms but the birds will have to get used to the taste of dried ones first. Mixing live and dried mealworms helps to train the bluebirds to consume the dried ones and gradually get used to eating them.
More Bluebird Feeder Tips
- The bluebirds may accept other types of food such as suet nuggets and softened raisins or berries. Don't worry, this will save you the trouble of having to run to the store every time you run out of mealworms. Sunflower hearts also make for good bluebird food.
- Provide access to other types of suitable food to their diet since bluebirds get easily addicted to mealworms, though they don’t provide all the necessary nutrients they need.
Watch this beautiful and educating video of a bluebird eating mealworms from a feeder below:
Dietary and Behavior Differences Between Bluebird Species
While all bluebirds may have a preference for similar foods, their foraging behavior and hunting techniques may vary. For example, Western Bluebirds are known to hover and catch insects in mid-air, while Eastern Bluebirds often hunt insects on the ground.
Western Bluebirds and Mountain Bluebirds are more likely to migrate than Eastern Bluebirds. Migration patterns can affect the availability of certain foods during different times of the year so you should plan your food sources for them accordingly.
Read Also: Bluebird Meaning & Symbolism When You See One
Breeding Seasons
Learn how the breeding seasons vary for common blue birds and how the time of year impacts their feeding habits:
- Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis): Eastern Bluebirds typically have their breeding season in the spring and early summer. Breeding can start as early as March or April in the southern parts of their range and may extend into June or July in northern regions. They may raise multiple broods during the breeding season.
- Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana): Western Bluebirds breed from late March through July, depending on their location. In southern areas, breeding can start earlier, while in more northern regions, it may begin in late April or May. They, too, may have multiple broods.
- Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides): Mountain Bluebirds typically have a shorter breeding season than Eastern and Western Bluebirds. Breeding usually occurs from April to July, and they may only have one or two broods during this time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is A Bluebird Feeder Anyway?
A bluebird feeder is a bird feeder that is designed especially for all types of bluebirds. Proper bluebird feeders take into consideration their size, limitations, diet, and nature.
Will Bluebirds Eat Dried Mealworms?
Yes, bluebirds will readily eat dried mealworms.
Where Should I Hang My Bluebird Feeder?
You should hang your bluebird feeder on trees, patios, arches, hooks, or place it on a bird feeder pole in your backyard.
These areas are in line with the flying vision of the bluebirds and make your feeder easy to spot whether they are hung up or mounted.
How High Should I Hang My Bluebird Feeder?
You should hang bluebird feeders between 5-8 feet off the ground.
Do Bluebirds Eat Seeds?
No, bluebirds do not eat regular bird seeds. They prefer mealworms, suet, berries, and sunflower hearts.
Conclusion
The Erva Bluebird Feeder is the best overall bluebird feeder in this review. It has all the features needed for functionality and keeps off squirrels as well.
This gives it an undeniable edge over most bluebird feeders on the market.
Hang any of the best bluebird feeders at a close strategic location and watch these adorable little birdies troop into your yard!
