Pest Strategies

Window bird feeders help attract a variety of birds to minimize and control insects and other pests in your backyard. Find the best window bird feeder with our top recommendations.

An entertaining addition to your yard, bird feeders provide a place for your feathered friends to rest and refuel. As an added bonus, attracting different birds naturally takes care of rodents, worms, and other bothersome pests that may be plaguing your outdoor space.

If you enjoy watching birds up close, a window bird feeder is a unique way to view your local avian visitors. To help you find what you’re looking for, Pest Strategies researched the best window bird feeders on Amazon. Learn about our selections below.

 

Buying Guide

All window feeders are designed to sit on or near your window to attract birds. However, there are a few notable differences between models. Keep these purchasing factors in mind when you’re shopping around for a window bird feeder as both a decorative addition and natural form of pest control: 

• Ease of access: A bird feeder should be easy to access without the need to detach it from the window. Many window bird feeders feature a removable seed tray that can be cleaned and refilled once it’s empty without unfastening the entire unit.

• Suction cup strength: Most window bird feeders use suction cups to attach to your window, making for easy setup. However, suction cups have weight limitations. The larger your feeder, the more suction cups it should use. The cups should also sit flush with and press tightly against your window for maximum sturdiness. 
• Weatherproofing: Though window bird feeders are slightly more shielded than standard feeders that are out in the open, they still need to be able to withstand the elements. That’s why many are made from acrylic or another hard plastic.
• Appeal for birds: The easier your window bird feeder is to access for birds, the more likely you are to catch them eating or taking a rest. A sizable perch to land on and a large reservoir of seeds to eat from will encourage birds to spend more time and visit more frequently. 

 

 

Using Window Bird Feeders as a Natural Form of Insect Control

Pest infestations generally leave homeowners with two options: call a professional to take care of the issue or use consumer products to tackle the problem yourself. The latter opens up a world of products targeted toward different pests.

We recommend adding a window bird feeder to your outdoor living space if you want a natural way to manage pests. Here’s more information about how attracting birds can serve as a means of pest control: 

• Baltimore orioles can consume 17 hairy caterpillars in one minute. 
• Cuckoos are known to eat up to 217 webworms in one sitting. 
• A pair of hungry yellowthroats will target and eliminate thousands of plant lice in a garden.
• A tiny swallow will eat up to 1,000 leafhoppers in a single day. 
• House wrens are able to feed up to 500 insects to their young in the course of an afternoon. 

Other well-known bug eaters to attract using your window bird feeder include bluebirds, cardinals, chickadees, grosbeaks, and nuthatches. 

In short, encouraging birds to routinely visit the outside of your home allows them to scan the area and eat small pests. Going this route could eliminate the need for insect traps, sprays, or other conventional means of pest management.

 

 

FAQs

• Are window bird feeders safe for birds? 

Yes, window bird feeders are safe for birds, especially those that utilize suction cups to sit flush against the surface of your window. This is because, when they go to leave, birds can’t build up enough momentum to hurt themselves by accidentally flying into your window. Instead, they’re prompted to leave by flying in the other direction. Bird feeders situated near, but not on, a window are proven to be more dangerous to birds.

• Why aren’t birds visiting my feeder? 

If you have just installed your window bird feeder and aren’t noticing any traffic, give it some time. Depending on the location and time of year, birds in your area may be experiencing an overabundance of natural foods. If there’s more than enough for birds to eat, they’re not as likely to seek out new bird feeders.

• Will birds eat large pests, such as rodents, in my backyard?

Many bird species you might find in a residential area feed on smaller insects. However, occasionally, you might see larger species, such as falcons or hawks, that could target and kill an unsuspecting rodent outside of your home.

• How do I encourage birds to return to my feeder?                                                                                                     

Maintaining an inviting space for birds to rest and refuel will motivate them to return. This means making sure that the seed tray is full and that the seed is dry, fresh, and neatly contained.

 

 

Pest Strategies provides reviews of select products that are top-selling on Amazon and/or popular in consumer searches. Our team evaluates the products based on industry research, consumer reviews, pricing data, and other objective criteria. Unless otherwise noted, these product reviews are intended to help inform buying decisions for non-professionals. Because pest control products can be dangerous to your family if mishandled, we always recommend consulting with an exterminator, even if just to ask for advice on how to apply pest control products yourself.