This is the fourth in a series on ideas for a dream wildlife deck. This week I'm focusing on bird feeders for the bird food I listed last week.

Sunflower Seed

For sunflower seed, two different feeders would be great. For the more popular black oil sunflower, I will use a caged feeder to deter squirrels and larger birds. This way, the smaller birds can generally eat in peace without being disturbed too much by larger birds.

The black oil sunflower seeds in a caged feeder should attract birds in the chickadee family, finches, and more.

Since wild birds tend to eat a little less of the striped sunflower seeds than the black oil seeds (probably due to the fact the striped seeds are harder shelled), I will offer striped sunflower seeds in a feeder that larger birds and squirrels can access.

The feeder contained the striped seed will be in the platform style to attract wild birds like cardinals. I have my eye on the ARTLINE Large Gazebo Bird Feeder.

Peanuts

I like woodpeckers and jays, so I'd like to offer both shelled and whole peanuts. Since good, squirrel-deterring peanut feeders that still accommodate larger woodpeckers and blue jays are hard to find, I will be feeding squirrels as well.

Thistle Seed

To attract finches, I will offer thistle seed (aka nyjer seed) in the Bird Quest 17" Copper Spiral Thistle Feeder. I like the spiral perch, and I don't need a larger-volume thistle feeder.

Fruit

To attract orioles and possibly other fruit-loving birds, I'm going to try a fruit and jelly feeder, Songbird Cedar Fruit & Jelly Feeder.

The Series

1. An Introduction
2. Providing Water
3. Bird Food
4. Bird Feeders
5. Shelter
6. Vines and Shrubs to Shelter Wild Birds
7. Flowering Container Plants