Putting up bird feeders in a yard or outdoor space is a great first step to brightening up the view from your window. A well-tended set of feeders can attract throngs of regular visitors, and may also host unusual birds that visit in the different seasons.

But there’s a tremendous variety of bird feeders to choose from—so where do you start? It helps to recognize that most seed feeders are variations on just a few basic designs: trays, hoppers, tubes, window mounts, and suet feeders.

To attract the greatest variety of birds, provide several different feeder types and offer a variety of foods. It’s best to start out with black-oil sunflower seed; it’s the most widely used seed, and it attracts the largest range of species. Hanging a tube feeder from a tree branch or feeding station is an easy way to get started.

Once you’ve chosen a feeder type, selecting a specific model comes down to construction and of course aesthetics. The ideal bird feeder is sturdy enough to withstand winter weather, tight enough to keep seeds dry, easy to assemble and, most important of all, easy to keep clean.

Suet feeders are a great way to offer high-energy food to birds, especially woodpeckers, nuthatches, starlings, jays, and many other small birds. Suet feeders come in two main types: wire cages that hold suet blocks, or pieces of wood (or fake wood) where you can spread suet or peanut butter.

Pros:

Attracts different kinds of birds that feed actively and sometimes acrobatically

Can be hung on a tree, a feed station, attached to a branch, or fixed onto a platform feeder

Peanuts are are the go to foods for many bird species as they are packed with essential fats and proteins. They are an excellent energy source, especially during colder months when birds need to keep warm.

Peanut feeders are specifically designed with fine mesh to prevent birds from taking large pieces, ensuring safe feeding and reducing waste. Peanut feeders can bring a wide array of birds to your garden:

Expect blue tits great tits as well as Woodpeckers nuthatches Sparrows and finches.