Peanut feeders are usually nothing more than a simple tube feeder. Instead of a solid tube, however, a stiff wire mesh forms the tube, with the holes in the mesh just small enough to keep the peanuts from falling through. Shelled peanuts are offered in the peanut feeders.
Jays will also take peanuts in the shell. Its quite a site to see a Steller’s Jay swallow a peanut whole.
There are several bird species that like to indulge on peanuts – for example, woodpeckers and nuthatches love peanuts, and the list goes on. Just be sure to offer whole peanuts and make sure they’re unsalted.
Consider more options:
- Dome feeders – Dome feeders are useful for protecting birdseed from rain and snow. They are typically used by smaller birds, such as finches and chickadees, who can cling to the sides of the feeder.
- Hopper feeders – Hopper feeders are useful for holding larger quantities of birdseed, and they can be used by a variety of bird species, including jays, cardinals, and grosbeaks.
- Platform feeders – Platform feeders are useful for holding a variety of bird food, including seeds, fruit, and suet. They are typically used by ground-feeding birds, such as sparrows and doves, as well as larger birds, such as jays and cardinals.
- Suet feeders – Suet feeders are useful for holding suet cakes, which are high-energy food sources that are particularly attractive to woodpeckers, nuthatches, and chickadees.
- Tube feeders – Tube feeders are useful for holding small seeds, such as nyjer, and are typically used by finches and other small birds that can cling to the sides of the feeder.
- Window-mounted feeders – Window-mounted feeders are useful for people who have limited space in their yards (or don’t have one at all). These feeders come with different options, so there is something for every household.