Feeder comparison
Platform Feeder vs Tube Feeder
A platform serves ground- and tray-oriented birds; a tube protects seed better and can target smaller birds.
FeaturePlatform FeederTube Feeder
Best fornorthern cardinal, american robin, blue jay, house finch, mourning doveamerican goldfinch, black capped chickadee, tufted titmouse, house finch
Foodblack oil sunflower, safflower, peanuts, milletblack oil sunflower, nyjer, sunflower chips
Main tradeoffExposed food can get wetShared ports can transmit disease
Platform Feeder
An open tray with room for birds that do not cling to narrow ports.
Full guide →Tube Feeder
A hanging cylinder with feeding ports that can limit access by bird size and seed type.
Full guide →