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Bird-watching can be a pleasurable way to connect with nature, but for those who find themselves inadvertently feeding more squirrels than birds, window bird feeders can be an excellent choice. The best window bird feeders are designed to attach to the outside of windows directly via suction cups or other fasteners, allowing them to be placed in areas where squirrels can’t reach.
Bird feeders for windows can work well for anyone who lives in an apartment or doesn’t have access to a garden area. Window bird feeders are typically clear, allowing a direct view of birds while they dine. I recently tested six different models (one of which has since gone out of stock) of varying price points, sizes, and styles to determine the pros and cons of each.
My favorite window bird feeder is the Nature Anywhere Birds-I-View Window Bird Feeder, which edged out others with its versatility. It mounts using four suction cups rather than the usual two, giving it more staying power on the window. It also features a peaked roof, which helps larger birds access the food. Read on to learn more about this window bird feeder and the other five I tested and discover what to look for when trying to pick one of the best window bird feeders.
- BEST OVERALL: Nature Anywhere Birds-I-View Window Bird Feeder
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Nature’s Hangout Window Bird Feeder With Suction Cups
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR HUMMINGBIRDS: Nature Anywhere Window Hummingbird Feeder
↓ Jump to Review - BEST TRAY: Birds Choice Platform Window-Mount Bird Feeder
↓ Jump to Review - BEST NARROW: Roamwild Arch Window Bird Feeder
↓ Jump to Review
How We Tested the Best Window Bird Feeders
I first installed each bird feeder, noting how easy or complex it was to set up. I filled the feeders with bird food and left them up for 2 weeks, cleaning and refilling each window bird feeder once during that time and observing how easy they were to clean, replace, and refill. I paid attention to which feeders stayed in place best and how wet or dry the food stayed in inclement weather. I also dropped each feeder onto grass, concrete, and gravel from a window height (approximately 7 feet off the ground) to see how they fared.
While I did notice birds visiting each feeder, I did not use this as a determining factor in my ranking, specifically because I tested the feeders during late spring/early summer. According to The Humane Society, birds feed from bird feeders less in warmer months due to abundant natural food sources. Birds tend to visit feeders more in between winter and spring when lower temperatures mean that birds need more energy and food is harder to find from natural sources.
| Testing Stats | |
| Products tested | 6 |
| Time spent testing | 2 weeks |
| Tests performed | 5 |
| Price range | $15 to $40 |
Our Top Picks
The best window bird feeders come in different shapes and sizes and may be designed to accommodate birds of various sizes. Suction cup window bird feeders are most common, though I did test one that had adhesive window hooks for comparison.
Best Overall
Nature Anywhere Birds-I-View Window Bird Feeder
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Material: Polycarbonate
- Dimensions: 10 inches tall by 10 inches wide by 4.3 inches deep
- Mount: 4 suction cups
- Roof?: Yes
- Food capacity: 15 ounces
What We Like
- 4 suction cups offer extra staying power in inclement weather
- Sized for small and large birds
- Attractive design allows for a clear viewing opportunity
- Removable seed tray makes filling and cleaning even easier
- Dual seed tray allows for more than 1 type of food
What We Don’t Like
- Simple installation, but can be tricky to remove
- May be too large for some windows
The Nature Anywhere Birds-I-View feeder has an attractive house shape with a large viewing circle in the middle, allowing for an uninterrupted sightline of visiting birds. It stays in place via four suction cups, and I found it didn’t budge despite enduring multiple storms. The removable seed tray is protected by the roof and sides, so the seed stays dry. I also appreciated the divided seed tray, which can be used to store two different types of food. Overall, this bird feeder was simple to install, use, refill, and clean. When it comes time to take the feeder off the window to clean it, it can take a little finagling to remove all four suction cups.
Get the Nature Anywhere Birds-I-View window bird feeder at Amazon, Walmart, or Nature Anywhere.
Best Bang for the Buck
Nature’s Hangout Window Bird Feeder With Suction Cups
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 4.3/5
Product Specs
- Material: Acrylic
- Dimensions: 5 inches high by 12 inches wide by 4 inches deep
- Mount: 3 suction cups
- Roof?: Yes
- Food capacity: 16 ounces
What We Like
- Wide ranch style accommodates multiple birds at once
- Designed for smaller birds, including cardinals and finches
- Easy to fill and refill with removable seed tray
- Extra-wide viewing area, but overall low profile
What We Don’t Like
- Wide style allows more moisture in
- Less appealing to large bird species
This window bird feeder is called a ranch style because it is wide but not very tall. It has a roof and sides, which give it some natural shelter. It’s very lightweight and simple to install, with three spare suction cups. One of the best aspects of this bird feeder is the shape—it can be placed toward the bottom of the window without blocking the view, all while allowing plenty of bird peeping.
Unfortunately, the nature of the wide-open design didn’t protect the seed as well from the rain and wind, so the seed got wet during a storm. The seed tray can be removed easily, so a quick refill is possible if the seed becomes damp. Aside from this minor inconvenience, this bird feeder performed very well.
Get the Nature’s Hangout window bird feeder at Amazon or Nature’s Hangout.
Best for Hummingbirds
Nature Anywhere Window Hummingbird Feeder
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Material: Metal, polycarbonate
- Dimensions: 8.5 inches tall by 6 inches wide by 4.5 inches deep
- Mount: 3 suction cups
- Roof?: No
- Food capacity: 16 ounces
What We Like
- Metal holder makes it easy to remove and replace bottle
- Bottle comes apart in 2 pieces for easy cleaning and refilling
- Includes different colored covers to deter bees and ants
What We Don’t Like
- May drip on objects below, especially right after filling
- No included recipe for sugar water
- Sugar water has the potential to attract ants
Designed for hummingbirds, this bird feeder for windows took only minutes to install. There are two parts to this window bird feeder: a metal holder to which the suction cups attach and the bottle that holds the hummingbird food (also known as sugar water). It’s very simple to clean and refill, and I appreciated the extra little flower covers. I did find it leaked a little bit during the initial installation, which I suspect is normal when the bottle is full and it’s being flipped upside down. When I installed it again after cleaning and refilling it, only a few drops fell below.
Get the Nature Anywhere window hummingbird feeder at Amazon, Walmart, or Nature Anywhere.
Best Tray
Birds Choice Platform Window-Mount Bird Feeder
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.5/5; Durability 4/5; Value 2.75/5
Product Specs
- Material: Recycled plastic
- Dimensions: 3.5 inches tall by 8.5 inches wide by 8.5 inches deep
- Mount: 2 suction cups
- Roof?: No
- Food capacity: Not specified; approx. 16 ounces
What We Like
- Offers an unobstructed view of birds
- Easy to refill without having to remove the feeder
- Durable; should stand up to the elements
- Accommodates all sizes of birds
What We Don’t Like
- Roofless design exposes seed to moisture
- Shallow sides offer little protection from the wind
- Suction cups didn’t hold up as well as others during a storm
It doesn’t get much simpler than this platform window bird feeder from Birds Choice. The open structure makes refilling easy—the bird feeder can stay in place while you add the food—and it offers an unobstructed view of the birds. Because it has no roof, it can accommodate birds of many sizes, but this also leaves the seed more vulnerable to the elements. Some seeds blew away during a windstorm and got wet in the rain, so to use this, it needs to be placed in a sheltered area.
Get the Birds Choice window bird feeder at Amazon or Birds Choice.
Best Narrow
Roamwild Arch Window Bird Feeder
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5; Durability 5/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Material: Acrylic polycarbonate
- Dimensions: 12 inches tall by 8 inches wide by 6 inches deep
- Mount: 2 vacuum-clip suction cups
- Roof?: Yes
- Food capacity: 4 pounds
What We Like
- Elegant arch design provides shelter for small birds
- Snap-down lid keeps seed bone-dry during storms
- Vacuum suction cups help ensure the feeder stays in place
- High-capacity food storage means less frequent refilling
What We Don’t Like
- Narrowness of feeder requires a bottle brush to clean
- May not accommodate some larger bird species
- Food blocks view of birds partially when feeder is full
The unique design of this window-mount bird feeder makes it an aesthetically pleasing addition to any window, and the large capacity equates to lower maintenance since it needs to be refilled less frequently. A big selling point for me was the vacuum suction cup feature—once the suction cups are in place, two latches help hold them in place.
Because this feeder is heavier than some of the other window bird feeders on this list, it was reassuring to see the suction cups hold fast during high winds and rain. The little roof on the top latches in place, ensuring that the seed stays dry. I found it slightly harder to clean than the others, but that’s a minor complaint for such a quality feeder. It doesn’t accommodate as wide a variety of bird sizes as some feeders, such as the Nature’s Way Birds-I-View, but otherwise, it’s a solid choice.
Get the Roamwild window bird feeder at Amazon, Walmart, or Roamwild.
Or, DIY Your Own Window Bird Feeder
One of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to make a clear window bird feeder is to upcycle a clear plastic bottle, such as a 2-liter soda bottle. Clean and wash the bottle and poke one hole in each side of the bottle about 2 inches above the lid. Use these holes to stick chopsticks to create a perch. Next, cut a hole about an inch in diameter above the perch to allow birds to reach the seed. This hole can be enlarged to accommodate different types of bird food. Glue two or three suction cups onto the side of the bottle using super-glue. Once they are set, fill the birdseed, replace the lid, and flip the bottle upside down. Attach it to the window and you’re set.
Jump to Our Top Picks
What to Consider When Choosing a Window Bird Feeder
Like garden bird feeders, window bird feeders come in several shapes, sizes, and materials. When looking for the best window bird feeders, shoppers will want to consider aesthetics and dimensions. While it can be enjoyable to see birds in the feeder, the bigger the feeder, the more of the window pane it will take up. To keep squirrels from invading, choose a window that’s far from branches, decks, pergolas, or other structures squirrels climb on.
Materials
While the vast majority of window bird feeders are made of lightweight, clear polycarbonate plastic, this is not the only choice. Several styles include metal, wood, and recycled plastic. Some feeders are made from acrylic, which tends to stay clearer, while others are made from polycarbonate, which has higher impact resistance.
Ease of Use
Because window bird feeders go on the outside of the window to your house, being able to install and maintain access for refills and cleaning will matter. Certain designs may require special cleaning tools or funnels for filling. For example, a windowsill bird feeder designed to mount onto a windowsill will typically be easy to access. There are also more elaborate in-window bird feeders that sit at the base of a window. In some cases, removing a window screen may be necessary to access the feeder, but keep in mind that screens help keep windows bird-safe.
Size and Capacity
The more birdseed a feeder holds, the less frequently it needs to be refilled, so the food capacity of any feeder is a key factor. However, a window bird feeder with an extra-large capacity will block more of the window and be heavier. In addition, feeders should be cleaned every couple of weeks and then replenished with food, so a large capacity is not always necessary.
Weatherproofing
Bird feeders should be capable of withstanding all kinds of weather, including rain, temperature changes, heat, snow, and hail. Window bird feeders should stay in place during weather changes. With the exception of basic platform-style designs, most window bird feeders offer a way to protect the birdseed from rain.
FAQs
Now that you’ve had a chance to browse for the best window bird feeders, some questions may arise. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about window bird feeders and feeding birds.
Though birds can arrive within a few hours of installation, it can also take months. There is no exact time, as there are multiple variables in any scenario, including food scarcity or abundance, traffic from other animals, and bird behavior.
Yes, window bird feeders attract birds, offering a close view of birds. As with regular bird feeders, the location of the feeder matters. Choosing a quiet window with less traffic is more likely to attract birds.
Bird feeders should be emptied and cleaned every couple of weeks—or more often if they have been affected by weather or are looking messy. Simply wash the feeder with a mild soap, rinse it thoroughly, and let it air dry before reinstalling.
Meet the Tester
Amber Guetebier is a nursery professional, writer and product tester. Because birds are beneficial to any gardener, she has been experimenting with bird feeders for years and finds window bird feeders a welcome addition to her Minnesota winters.
