Are you looking for a way to attract and feed the bluebirds in your neighborhood? We share our 7 picks for the best bluebird feeders that will help you bring more of the brightly colored beauties to your backyard.
Bluebirds are a favorite backyard visitor in almost every area of North America. With Eastern, Western, and Mountain Bluebirds each covering their own part of the country, almost everyone can enjoy these bright and beautiful birds.
Learning how to attract bluebirds to your yard starts with finding out more about them and what they need to be happy and thrive.
Tips to Bring Bluebirds to Your Yard
There are many things you can do to provide an optimal environment for these beautiful members of the thrush family. Educating yourself about them and making your yard a safe and welcoming haven for them is important.
When learning how to attract bluebirds and keep them coming back, choosing the proper bluebird feeder is the best way to get started.
The 7 Best Bluebird Feeders For 2022
Whether you choose a specially designed bluebird mealworm feeder or a universal suet feeder designed for many types of birds, you have several options.
Below are seven of the best bird feeders for attracting and keeping bluebirds happy in your yard.
Click the links to each item or use the Read Our Review button to jump to each individual review section below and learn more about each item including a summary of customer feedback for each.
Image | Product | Features | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Kettle Moraine Cedar Hanging Bluebird Mealworm Feeder | Product Features
| Check Price on AmazonRead Our Review | |
Kettle Moraine Recycled Bluebird Mealworm Feeder | Product Features
| Check Price on AmazonRead Our Review | |
Caged Bluebird Feeder | Product Features
| Check Price on AmazonRead Our Review | |
Dome-Top Bluebird Feeder | Product Features
| Find it @ DuncraftRead Our Review | |
JCs Wildlife Blue Recycled Poly Lumber Hanging Bird Feeder | Product Features
| Check Price on AmazonRead Our Review | |
More Birds Single Hanging Bird Feeder | Product Features
| Check Price on AmazonRead Our Review | |
Altab Bluebird Flower Decorative Bird Feeder | Product Features
| Buy it @ WayfairRead Our Review |
More About Our Favorite Mealworm Feeders For Bluebirds
We’ve researched all of our favorite mealworm feeders to find out what customers love about each and if there are any problems to watch out for.
All of these bird feeders get great reviews, but some may work better than others depending on the types of birds, animals, and climate in your area.
1. Cedar Bluebird Feeder
Even though this handsome cedar feeder was intended for serving up mealworms, it is versatile and can also be used to offer suet and other mixtures.
After the feeder is installed, the plexiglass sections can be removed until the bluebirds are comfortable feeding. They can then be replaced to create smaller entrances – keeping larger birds and squirrels out.
The Kettle Moraine Cedar Mealworm feeder can either be hung by the attached cord or mounted to a deck railing or pole. Filling the feeder is easily done by opening the roof which combines with the plexiglass panels to provide extra protection from the weather.
What are Customers Saying?
- Solves the problem of Starlings and crows eating all the mealworms
- Enclosed feeder reduces spillage
- Keeps the worms alive and dry
Are There Any Drawbacks?
- It is possible a larger bird can reach in through the holes to snag a few mealworms. But overall the consensus was this feeder did a good job of slowing down the bullies.
Everyone raves about how much their bluebirds like this mealworm feeder. One woman even called it “Bluebirds gone wild!” Get yours at Amazon = >> The Kettle Moraine Cedar Bluebird Feeder.
2. Kettle Morraine Polylumber Mealworm Feeder
This is the poly lumber version of the previous mealworm feeder. Made from recycled milk jugs and plastic bottles, the poly lumber material is easy to care for and naturally repels water, and stays vibrant from season to season. Not to mention it is eco-friendly and keeps tons of plastic out of our landfills.
What are Customers Saying?
- This feeder gets much of the same praise as Kettle Morraine’s cedar feeder. It keeps the bully birds away and the meal worms or seed dry.
- Once your birds know what’s inside this feeder, they will keep coming back for more.
- Several customers mention they have nesting birds nearby that have claimed this feeder and keep coming back each season.
Are There Any Drawbacks?
- It takes some birds a little while to get used to the feeder. Give it time and they will figure it out. You can also remove one of the clear plastic sides in the beginning if your birds are having trouble.
You can find this popular mealworm feeder on Amazon. ==>> Kettle Morraine Polylumber Mealworm Feeder.
3. Dome-Top Bluebird Feeder
Attracting bluebirds to feeders is easy when you use this dome-top mealworm feeder. The clever and versatile design allows you to choose what type of feed you want to offer (mealworms, seed, suet, fruit, etc.). It also gives you the option of raising or lowering the dome to either encourage or discourage larger birds from visiting.
This feeder is made of a UV-resistant, heavy-duty polycarbonate which makes it both lightweight and durable. It is easy to clean, fill, and reposition at any time.
What are Customers Saying?
- The dome does a good job of keeping the feed dry
- Very sturdy and lasts a long time
4. The Erva Caged Bluebird Feeder
This pretty and well-designed bluebird feeder is both decorative and functional. With a bright blue, scalloped metal base and roof that is 14 inches in diameter, there is plenty of room for several bluebirds to dine at once.
The cage arrangement allows the more gentle and timid bluebirds to eat without being bullied by larger birds. An attached 4 ½” metal cup safely holds mealworms, nuggets, pellets, or any other treats. With an abundance of shade and air circulation, food is kept fresher longer and birds are more comfortable and secure.
What are Customers Saying?
- Very well made
- Let’s the bluebirds eat in peace
Are There Any Drawbacks?
- Some bluebirds were a little too chubby to fit through the holes. Most found a way to get in.
- Position the feeder next to bushes or shrubs so the birds have somewhere to perch.
The baffled bird feeder is a good option if you have pesky squirrels or large grackles that bother your bluebirds stealing their food. Find it on Amazon.com ==>> The Erva Caged Bluebird Feeder
5. JC’s Wildlife Poly Platform Bird Feeder
The beautiful blue of this JC’s Wildlife platform feeder will attract bluebirds to come and enjoy a meal under the shelter of the clear poly roof. Small drainage holes on the bottom keep the bird food from getting too wet in case of bad weather.
The large base holds up to three cups of seed. You can fill it with mealworms to attract bluebirds or conventional birdseed mixes to attract a variety of other birds. The fly-through design makes it easy for the birds to feed and simple to clean.
What are Customers Saying?
- Pretty vibrant color, looks beautiful in the yard.
- Birds love this feeder & visit it often
- Easy to clean and doesn’t rust
- Very cute and light-weight
- Easy to hang & fill
Are There Any Drawbacks?
- When it’s very rainy, the seed will get wet. It doesn’t drain fast enough to dry out completely.
- Smaller than expected. The size is 9″ long x 5.25″ wide x 7.5″ high.
Overall, this is a popular poly lumber feeder platform feeder, that customers (and birds) both seem to love. You can find it on Amazon = > JCs Wildlife Blue Hanging Poly Bird Feeder.
6. More Birds Snacks’N’Treats Single Hanging Bird Feeder
The More Birds Snacks’N’Treats Hanging Bird Feeder features a curved metal perch and a built-in seating space so visiting birds can comfortably enjoy their meal.
The pretty blue dish can hold mealworms, jelly, suet chunks, and seeds. It is removable and cleans up easily with soap and water.
What are Customers Saying?
- If you have bluebirds in the neighborhood, they will love this feeder
- Stays put even in the wind
- Very easy to hang since its so little
- Holds 1/2 to 1 cup of seed or worms
Are There Any Drawbacks?
- Larger birds may knock it over.
- Live mealworms may work there way out of the drainage holes
This simple, elegant feeder will add color to your backyard at an affordable price. And very attractive to the bluebirds! You can find it here on Amazon = >> More Birds Snacks’N’Treats Single Hanging Bird Feeder
7. Altab Bluebird Flower Decorative Mealworm Bird Feeder
This pretty bluebird feeder has a blue scalloped plate to serve bluebirds their favorite food – mealworms. Above the feeder sites a blue ornamental jewel that complements the feeding dish. You can also fill the dish with a variety of seeds, suet, or jellies to attract even more birds.
At just nine inches tall, this elegant feeder can be hung on a shepherd’s hook stand or S-shade metal hanger (not included).
What are Customers Saying?
- Cute feeder
- The dish stays in place
- Easy to fill and clean
Are There Any Drawbacks?
- Lightweight for the price
This is a simple elegant feeder, perfect for a small space. Find it on Wayfair = > The Altab Bluebird Flower Decorative Bird Feeder
Attracting Bluebirds to the Feeder
Once you’ve chosen a bluebird feeder that fits your needs, step two is to select the appropriate feed. After that, placing the feeder (or feeders – multiple feeding stations bring in more birds) will be your last step.
Types of Food to Use in the Feeder
There are many types of food that you can place in your bird feeders. In order to get the right birds to come to your yard, you have to know what to offer. Attracting bluebirds to your feeder begins with picking their favorites.
Mealworms – Of anything you can put in a feeder, mealworms are by far the most desired food of bluebirds. They will turn their beaks up at everything else out there if mealworms are available.
Easy to obtain, store, or even raise yourself, the nutritious mealworms are the perfect treat for bluebirds any time of the year. They are especially welcome when the bluebirds are raising their young.
Fruit – Small edible berries of any kind are always popular with bluebirds. They are the second staple behind insects in their natural diet.
Popular fruit for bluebirds includes blueberries, black cherries, wild holly, dogwood berries, and honeysuckle. Chopped up pieces of larger fruit will also be a welcome addition.
Sunflower Hearts – Shelled sunflower seeds (or hearts) are one of those foods that the birds will eat if their favorites aren’t readily available. They like them, but the other two choices above will be devoured first.
Crumbled Suet – Crumbled pieces of suet with seeds, berries, and even embedded insects will also be accepted – when fruit and mealworms aren’t on the menu. The suet provides extra fat and protein that can help them survive winter. Use commercially prepared suet blocks or make your own.
Seed and Mealworm Treat Cakes – An easy way to feed mealworms, the treat cakes are held together by a mixture of honey and gelatin. Included in the cake are a few of the bluebird’s favorites: sunflowers, mealworms, and safflower seeds.
These cakes will fit inside the standard wire suet feeder and deliver a high-energy treat the bluebirds will love.
Best Bluebird Feeder Locations
“Location! Location! Location!” We hear that often enough to understand just how important the right location can be. And like those noisy salesmen, bird lovers will agree – if your bird feeders aren’t in an optimal location, you won’t have any customers.
The best bluebird feeder location will have several things going for it. It should be hung securely in an open area – emphasis on security. Bluebirds can handle breezy conditions and will stay put eating as they ride it out. Make sure the feeder won’t come down.
The next thing to consider is the amount of available cover and perches. Bluebirds enjoy spying on their prey or targeted feeder before swooping in for a meal. Make sure there are suitable places around the feeder location for them to perch safely.
Water is even more important than food to most creatures including bluebirds. Providing a nearby source of clean, fresh water will help encourage your new visitors to stay awhile.
More Bluebird Basics
Bluebirds aren’t really shy, but they don’t often frequent most urban or city settings. They will, however, settle right into large open backyards, bigger parks, and grass-filled areas such as golf courses or even cemeteries.
Bluebirds like having the space to hunt insects low to the ground. If you have a lot of grass and/or weeds with cover available in the form of bushes and trees around the edges, you are in luck. This is where they will gravitate to naturally.
Insects combined with fruit and small seeds are the mainstays of the bluebird diet. The birds sometimes add creatures such as very small snakes, lizards, and frogs. When you offer bluebird feeders filled with their favorite treats, you up the chances for bluebirds staking out a claim in your yard.
In Summary
When it comes down to it, the best bluebird feeder is going to be the one that works for you – the feeder that attracts the bluebirds to your yard.
Keep all of the above things in mind when you are picking out a feeder and you should start seeing these vibrant beauties flocking to your yard in no time.
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