The easiest way to attract birds is to put up a bird feeder. There are many different feeders on the market. The type of feeder or feeders you choose depends on the kinds of birds you want to attract.

Feeders come in a variety of models and sizes, as well as quality. Make sure your feeder is tough enough to withstand winter weather. It has to be weather tight to keep the seeds dry, A larger feeder means you do not have to fill it constantly. It should be easy to assemble and easy to clean. Plastic or metal feeders are usually better than wooden ones in meeting these requirements.

To attract the greatest variety of birds, you will want several different types of feeders offering a variety of feed. The discussion of feeder types below will help you decide which feeder(s) to get.

Tray and Platform Feeder:

Generally these are any flat tray or raised surface on which feed can be spread.

Most species of feeder birds will visit a tray feeder. They do not, however, offer protection from squirrels, chipmunks, rain, wind, or snow. The seed also become dirty from droppings of birds feeding there. Tray feeders placed near the ground are will  attract ground-feeding birds like juncos, doves, jays, blackbirds, and sparrows. It is easy to mount tray feeders on deck railings, posts, or stumps. They can also be suspended from trees, etc. A model with a roof provides some protection from the weather. Tray feeders should have drainage holes so rain water does not collect in them.

Hopper or House Feeder:

House feeders are basically a platform feeder with walls and a roof which form an enclosed hopper.

This type of feeder protects seeds fairly well against the weather, but can not keep out squirrels. They keep the seed cleaner as well. Most hoppers hold a pretty good supply of seed so filling is less of a chore. If the seed in the hopper gets wet it can get moldy in a few days. Hopper feeders can be mounted to a pole or suspended. They are liked by most feeder birds such as  finches, jays, cardinals, buntings, grosbeaks , sparrows, chickadees, and titmice.

Window Feeder:

Window feeders are usually made of clear plastic and attach to a window with a suction cup.

This type of feeder attracts finches, sparrows, chickadees, and titmice, and you can get some great close-up views of the birds as they feed.

Tube Feeder:

Tube feeders are basically a hollow cylinder, often made of of clear plastic, with multiple feeding openings or ports and multiple perches.

Tube feeders keep seed fairly clean and dry. If the feeding port is edged with sheet metal it will be difficult for squirrels to get at the seeds. The birds attracted to the feeder depend on the size of the perches - short perches are for small birds such as sparrows, grosbeaks, chickadees, titmice, and finches, and deter larger birds such as grackles and jays. Some tube feeders have pershes above the feeding port - great for birds that feed hanging upside down like goldfinches.

Thistle Feeder:

A thistle feeder is a special tube feeder designed with extra-small openings for the tiny thistle seeds. These feeders attract a variety of small songbirds, especially finches and redpolls. Another type of thistle feeder is a Thistle sock - a mesh bag that allows the birds to pull the stored seeds from the mesh. These work great for finches, but can be attacked easily by squirrels and other varmints.

Suet Feeder:

A suet feeder is a wire or plastic mesh bag which holds suet or suet mixed with seeds.

Suet feeder are nailed or tied to a tree trunk. They can also be suspended. Suet feeders attract a variety of woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, titmice, jays, and starlings.