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Best window bird feeders
We reveal the best window bird feeders that stick to the glass to allow you to watch them feed close up
Ceri studied horticulture at the University of Reading and RHS Wisley. She edits Which? Gardening magazine and our online gardening content.
If you don't have a garden, or are simply looking to bring a touch of wildlife into the comfort of your home, a window bird feeder can be an easy and relatively inexpensive option.
But while the best options are easy to assemble, stick well to windows, and attract plenty of birds, the worst can be a fiddle to clean and refill, and can leave you re-attaching them constantly when they fall off.
We tested a range of popular window bird feeders, priced between £3 and £18, to find the ones most likely to turn your window into a bustling bird haven.
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Best window bird feeders
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| Feeder | Price | Feed | Overall Score | Bird attraction | Attachment | Cleaning | Filling | Assembly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CJ Wildlife Bordeaux window feeder | Available from CJ Wildlife (£5.49) | Seeds | ||||||
| CJ Wildlife Rhodes window feeder | Available from CJ Wildlife (£12.99) | Seeds | ||||||
| Jacobi Jayne Treat Tray window feeder | SQUIRREL_TEXT_50001556 | Seeds | ||||||
| Jacobi Jayne UpClose window feeder | SQUIRREL_TEXT_50015215 | Seeds | ||||||
| Michigan window bird feeding house | Not currently available | Seeds/Suet | ||||||
| Nature's Market Large window bird feeder | SQUIRREL_TEXT_50015216 | Seeds | ||||||
| Nature's Market window bird feeder | Available from The Range (£2.99) | Seeds |
Products are listed in alphabetical order. The more stars the better. Overall rating score ignores price and is based on: Bird attraction 40%, attachment 20%, cleaning 20%, filling 10% and assembly 10%
Getting the best from window bird feeders
While our testing of window birds feeders tells you the best on offer, where you place them and what you fill them with can also impact their effectiveness.
Where to place window feeders
Place your feeders on your window at a comfortable height for you to see the birds but high enough that cats won’t reach them.
Birds like to feed near to shelter so if you have a bush or tree nearby, put your feeder on the side of the window closest to this cover.
If you’re worried about birds flying into your window then you can purchase stickers to make the window more obvious.
What food to use in a window bird feeder
Some window feeders will only take one type of food - usually peanuts, suet or bird seed - so think carefully about what type of bird you might like to attract and plan accordingly.
- Suet feeders are brilliant for small birds such as great tits and blue tits
- Seeds such as sunflower hearts attract a larger variety of birds, including finches. Smaller birds may well grab a seed and fly off to eat in a safer location, too.
- Peanut chunks attract lots of different birds, but be wary of offering them during the spring - the RSPB warns that young birds can choke on whole peanuts. It's safer to offer peanuts in smaller chunks, rather than whole.
Cleaning
Keeping your feeder clean is very important. Diseases can spread easily between birds where they congregate at feeders. Wash your feeders regularly and dispose of any mouldy food.
Keeping pests away
Unfortunately, feeding the birds can encourage unwelcome visitors.
Rats will be attracted to food that falls under the feeder, but you can deter them by placing a bucket underneath to catch fallen seeds. This also makes it easier for you to put the seeds back in the feeder, or dispose of them in your compost bin.
If you're struggling with pest control, it might be time to call in the professionals. Use our handy search tool below or head to Which? Trusted Traders to find a reputable pest control service endorsed by us.
Squirrels can also be a problem - they can be determined creatures, and may try to gnaw through plastic feeders to access the seeds.
You may have to try several locations to attach your feeder before finding a place where these furry acrobats can’t reach. You should also try using a smaller feeder that they won't be able to rest on. Alternatively, a squirrel-proof bird feeder might be a better fit for your garden.
How we tested window bird feeders
We bought 21 popular bird feeders, including some that had been recommended by the RSPB. We attached them to a window facing a domestic garden, where birds had been fed regularly and were known to visit feeders.
Each feeder was tested for four weeks after two weeks of allowing the birds to get used to the feeders. Each feeder was also placed in two different locations on the window.
Similar feeders were tested alongside each other to ensure that any results were not influenced by the feed on offer.
The number and the species of birds visiting were recorded for each feeder. The feeders were cleaned and refilled as necessary.
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