The 10 Best See Through Bird Feeders
Special Honors
Droll Yankees Inc. Whipper This model features weight-sensitive ports that close up if anything heavier than a small bird lands on them, keeping your feed safe from squirrels and other opportunists. It even has a heavy metal cap to discourage them from prying the top open. fishpond.com
Songbird Essentials All Weather You don't have to watch helplessly as valuable seed falls to the ground if you have this selection in your yard. It's constructed in such a way that the bottom portion catches falling food, creating multiple feeding levels and saving you some money in the process. backyardchirper.com
Birds's Choice Wrought Iron & Cedar This model is a little bit different from the rest, as instead of using transparent materials, it just has an open layout that keeps everything in plain sight. This lets birds fly through it as well as rest on it, giving you even more activity to feast your eyes upon. sears.com
Editor's Notes
July 28, 2019:
Most of the selections on this list attach to your windows using suction cups. This keeps them away from squirrels and other hungry trespassers, while also keeping the birds as close to you as possible. The Nibble Sun-Proof is the lone exception currently listed, as it can hang from a hook anywhere in your yard. This may help attract skittish species that won't approach your house, but expect it to get raided fairly often.
Speaking of skittishness, patience is a virtue when trying to feed birds. It may take a few weeks for the first few individuals to build up the courage (and the appetite) to approach your feeder. Soon, however, you should expect regular visitors, especially if you try to make the rest of your garden hospitable as well. A bird bath is a good start, as is deciding to keep your cats inside.
Remember to clean the feeder periodically as well. If the seed gets old and moldy, you won't get many takers — and the ones you do get could potentially fall ill as a result. We favored options with removable seed trays, as this makes cleaning quick and easy, with no need to take the suction cups down in the process.