We picked 5 of the Best Tube Feeders to help you in your search for products that are durable, easy to clean, and stand up to the elements for years of future bird-watching bliss.
Droll Yankees New Generation
Droll Yankees Classic Feeder
Perky-Pet 325SCOMBO
Droll Yankees YF-M Yankee Flipper (This one is fun!)
Audubon Kay Home Products Die-Cast Aluminum Finch Tube Feeder
Tube-type bird feeders provide lots of perch space for your feathered friends, holding up to the elements. A few of the feeders listed below even have extra benefits!
Introduction:
"Tube Feeders" are a staple in every serious (and amateur) backyard birder's feeding toolkit. There are several benefits to using a tube feeder, let's look at some of the most common reasons first, and then take a look at the 5 feeders we picked:
Visibility: You can see from a distance when the food level is low and needs refilling. You will also be able to see more birds perched and eating in a smaller footprint, thanks to multiple perches on each side of the feeders.
Versatility in attracting various bird species: We have seen Northern Cardinals, House, Carolina & Gold Finches, Mourning Doves and more on our tube feeders, all at the same time!!
The birdseed placed in a tube feeder generally stays dry (or mostly dry) when compared to several other feeder designs. This helps the feeder stay clean for longer periods of time and provides more fresh food for your backyard birds!
Ease of maintenance and cleaning: This is a deeper topic we'll explore a bit further in a bit. NOT all tube feeders are created equally!
Related to the last bullet point, and also the topic of durability: Many cheap, low quality feeders from online shops and even some local stores simply will not last. They use cheaper acrylic / plastic which will fade and yellow after only a year or two, and you won't be able to see the feed levels or tell if the feeder is clean or not. Additionally, some feeders are made by companies that didn't exist 3 months ago, and likely will not exist in another 3 months. This means that if you have a part that breaks or a screw that went missing, you'll likely not be able to get it from the customer support team (because they don't exist!). With that being said, we stuck with the top 5 BEST TUBE FEEDERS on the market that are also from top-tier companies that have been around for YEARS!
Top 5 Tube Feeders for Backyard Birding
1. Droll Yankees New Generation Tube Feeder
Droll Yankees has been producing very high-quality bird feeders for many years. In fact, they've been doing so since 1969, and they produced the FIRST commercially sold Tube Feeders. It's no wonder that this is our Number One pick on our list! This is an ideal feeder for an amateur, or an absolute bird fanatic (if there is one in your family it would make a great gift as well).
This feeder features the following:
1 pound of seed capacity
4 perches / seed ports
UV "Stabilized" polycarbonate tube (prevents fading and yellowing!)
It comes with a metal hanger and a metal cap
Made in Connecticut!
For the model described above - it is priced currently at 39.99 on Amazon! (Please note that this is subject to change!)
2. Droll Yankees Classic Tube Feeder
This feeder is a BIG step-up in size and capacity from the prior feeder in our list. The 30" long tube feeder variation (currently 25% off on Amazon) has the following features:
4 Pound Capacity means you'll need to refill less often!
12 metal perches / feed ports means you'll have seating for way more birds!
Another top quality feeder made in Connecticut!
The current cost for this feeder is listed at $89.99 (25% off!) which is a great value when looking at the product durability, capacity and a brand name/history to back this product up!
3. Perky-Pet 325SCOMBO:
This feeder is one we've owned also. We love that their are two tiers of small reservoirs with a perch that goes all the way around the feeder. This allows larger birds like Cardinals, Blue Jays, and Mourning Doves to be able to sit more easily and comfortably while they feast. Here are some additional features:
The filler cap locks down to prevent squirrels from simply just prying it open and getting a nearly unlimited buffet!
LARGE capacity: This tube feeder maxes out at 4.5 pounds!
Metal Parts are powder coated for durability (The same finish that is used heavily in automotive and commercial machinery applications)
Bronze finish (while plastic) looks great and holds up well!
4. Droll Yankees YF-M Yankee Flipper (Definitely one of the best tube feeders in our book)
Guys & Gals, this is a truly iconic feeder. While some might consider it pricey, it has a very unique (Not to mention FUN) bonus feature. Below the feeder perches is a battery and an electric motor. When a large amount of weight pushes down on the perches, the motor engages and the perches at the bottom of the feeder begin to spin. Squirrels don't stand a chance. Incorporate an affiliate link to this feeder. Some additional features for you below, but first, a classic video clip showing this feeder in action! We are talking about HOURS OF ENTERTAINMENT! Video credit goes to the Droll Yankees team for this gem.
Extra-Large Capacity: 5lbs seed capacity!
Powder coated metal components
100% Squirrel Proof!
Battery lasts for YEARS. A fully charged battery lasts for weeks in most cases.
Made in Connecticut!
Currently on sale, (11% off!) and priced at $153.78 on Amazon
5. Audubon Kay Home Products Die-Cast Aluminum Finch Tube Feeder:
This feeder is on the opposite end of the price spectrum from the Yankee Flipper. However, it still has some entertainment value! House Finches, Purple Finches, American Goldfinches and Pine Siskins natively enjoy eating Thistle in the Fall/Winter months in large meadows and pastures. A lot of property owners these days mow the thistle plants down though and so there is less food available to the finches and siskins. You can change that, with this Audubon Licensed product!
This feeder holds up to 1 pound of Nyjer Thistle seed or finch food seed mix.
There are 6 feed ports / perches, specially designed for Finches and siskins
Bright yellow color is the standard for Finch feeders
There is an EZ Clean button, which opens the base and makes cleaning out the feeder a snap!
Tips for Choosing the Right Tube Feeder
We recommend you decide which birds you like to target. Most of the feeders we have listed can be used with a wide variety of foods, from Sunflower to Safflower, to Dried Mealworms and lastly, Thistle (which is a tiny seed in comparison to Sunflower). We prefer feeding multiple species and are sure to include a feeder more specific to the finches and siskins, and have a separate feeder for Blue Jays, Cardinals, Doves and other larger birds. For more info about our favorite feed, you can view our blog post here.
Conclusion
Tube feeders provide a Fast-Fill method for bird feeding that keeps your feathered passerine friends well-fed, and provide multiple perches so even if the feeder turns, or twists in the wind, you'll likely have a good vantage point to see your favorite birds in action chowing down!
Do you have a favorite Tube feeder? Drop a comment below and let us know why you love that particular model!
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