Tube Feeders
by BWD editor Bill Thompson, III
Tube feeders are long cylinders with perches at the feeding ports, and they are the classic feeders for woodland birds like chickadees, titmice, woodpeckers, and nuthatches, as well as for goldfinches, siskins, and house finches. All these birds are small, and they can perch comfortably on the short perches most tube feeders have.
Tube feeders are great for screening out big birds such as blue jays, grackles, blackbirds, and doves. But they also keep grosbeaks and cardinals away, too, because these birds are too big for the perches. They'll go to the hopper feeders or onto the ground.
When you're looking at tube feeders, make sure the seed you're planning to put in them will fit through the holes at the feeding ports. Most have big holes that will let sunflower seed through, but others are made especially for tiny thistle or niger seed.
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