Best Bluebird Feeders (That Attract More Bluebirds) To Your Garden

Bluebird feeder is a great way to start attracting more bluebirds to your garden. But do you know what to feed them?

Although they won’t come to the backyard for birdseed or nectar, bluebirds will happily fly to other types of feeders.

Do you want to see more of these small, beautiful thrushes around your place? Read on to learn all about bluebird feeders!

What’s The Right Feeder For Bluebirds?

Bluebirds will come to feeders, but which ones? None of the seed feeders will work, but fortunately, other options are specifically designed for bluebirds.

When looking for the perfect feeder, remember that bluebirds are insectivores that feed on fruit. Although putting out a plate with pieces of chopped apple, raisins, and berries can work (especially in the winter), the best bluebird feeders are ones with mealworms.

You’ll want a feeder where the birds can feel safe while they eat. For these reasons, the best bluebird feeders are ones that take both of these factors into account. Depending on where you live, bluebird populations might be sparse, so you might attract some Western Bluebirds, Eastern Bluebirds, and even Mountain Bluebirds.

Learn more: 9 Tips To Attract Bluebirds

Some are just small plates that can hold mealworms, while others are tube feeders filled with mealworms. These can work, but they will also attract other birds that can scare bluebirds away. The surefire option to feed bluebirds is feeders that hold mealworms but exclude starlings, grackles, and jays.

Fortunately, some bluebird feeders accomplish this by limiting access to mealworms with small entrance holes. Similar to bluebird nest boxes, bigger birds can’t get in, but bluebirds enter just fine.

To attract bluebirds to your feeder, install it in an open spot but close enough for the birds to fly to cover.

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Best Bird Feeders for Bluebirds

Our Top Pick: Bluebird House Feeder

This bluebird feeder is a wooden house structure that is 10 inches long and a bit more than 7 inches wide and tall. It looks like a little wooden house with a sloped roof, platform base, and two supporting wooden sides.

Related: What do birds eat?

Each of the wooden sides has a round hole with a small perch, and the longer sides are made of clear plastic.

Birds access food through a small open space at the bottom of each plastic side and by going into the two round, small holes.

One of the neat things about this feeder is being able to watch bluebirds and other small backyard birds when they are inside the feeder. The holes are around the same size as nesting holes that bluebirds like, and the top of the feeder can be opened for easy cleaning.

However, it’s not entirely squirrel-proof. It should be used with a baffle or placed out of their reach.

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pank-grupp Bluebird Mealworm Feeder

This simple bluebird platform feeder is made of tough plastic and stainless steel. Around 15 inches tall, it has a big dome on top and a shallow, 9-inch diameter feeding tray below.

In the middle, a stainless steel heavy-duty rod keeps the feeder together. This durable bluebird feeder has tough materials to keep it from rusting and being affected by the elements. The dome can be adjusted, and when it is placed low over the small dish, it might help exclude some larger birds.

The dome also provides mealworms and other bird food some protection from snow and rain, and the tray has small drainage holes. Most importantly, since the dome rotates, it makes it tougher for squirrels to get to the feeder.

However, since these mammals can still jump into the feeding tray, it’s best to hang the feeder at least eight feet from structures where they can leap from and four feet above the ground.

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Perky-Pet 388F Dried Mealworm Bird Feeder with Flexports

This bird feeder is a durable plastic tube around 9 inches tall and can be hung from a feeder pole or other spot. Birds feed by sitting on one of two small perches and picking the mealworms from a small port.

This handy feeder is designed to be filled with dry mealworms and works well for that purpose. It will attract more species than just bluebirds; they should be able to use it too. The perches work for smaller birds and bigger birds, so you might get some visiting European Starlings.

Related: Why is bluebirding important?

The feeder shields mealworms from the rain so that the feed stays dry.

It would be tough for those birds to use this feeder, but they’ll probably try! If squirrels can get to it, they’ll try to feed, too, but probably won’t have much luck.

This feeder opens at the top and is easy to clean and refill.

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Best Feed for Bluebirds

Our Top Feed: DIIG Non-GMO Dried Mealworms

This brand uses non-GMO grain and other types of non-GMO food to raise their mealworms. When they are dried and packaged, they are also stored and kept fresh in a zip lock, easily resealable bag. They are available in packs of one, two, or five pounds and can be stored for a year in a cool, dry place.

These high-quality mealworms are good to have for bluebirds, other birds, and all sorts of pets.

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Kaytee Wild Bird Food Mealworms

This bluebird bird feed is a bag of dried mealworms. They don’t have any additives and are just natural, easy-to-use bird feed. They’ll work well for bluebirds and will also be popular with robins and many other species.

Mealworm birdfeed is also good for chickens and might attract warblers and other interesting migrants. Bags are available with just 3.5 ounces of dried worms or, for major bird feeding, up to a pound of mealworms!

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C&S Bluebird Nuggets

This bluebird feed is composed of little nuggets made out of rendered beef, raisins, roasted peanuts, raisins, soybean oil, corn, and oats. While they are essentially processed bird food, these suet nuggets are still made with natural products.

Once bluebirds find them, they will like these little nuggets of protein. Woodpeckers, chickadees, and other species that eat suet will also enjoy this tasty treat. Themini suet cakes can be placed in platform and suet feeders.

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You Might Also Ask

What type of feeder is best for bluebirds?

The best type of feeder for bluebirds is a mealworm feeder that can be easily and safely visited by the birds.

What color bird feeders are best?

Bird feeders can be any color, but some people believe blue feeders are better for attracting bluebirds.

How do you make bluebird feed?

You can make bluebird feed with 5 parts old-fashioned oatmeal, 1 part corn syrup, 1 part peanut butter, and 1 part lard, suet, or bacon grease.

What size hole for a bluebird feeder?

The best size hole for a bluebird feeder is a hole with a 1.5 inch diameter.

What do bluebirds eat?

Bluebirds eat insects and a variety of fruit. At bird feeders, mealworms are the way to go!