There are 4 basic styles of Squirrel Proof or Squirrel
Resistant Bird Feeders
- Caged Squirrel Proof Feeders
- Baffled Bird Feeders
- Weight Activated Squirrel Proof Feeders
- Electronic or Motorized Bird Feeders
More on types of squirrel proof feeders at the bottom of the page:
These work by simply restricting the squirrel from accessing the food in the feeder. Often little attempt is made to keep the squirrel from accessing the feeder itself, but eventually if they can't get to the food the squirrels will go elsewhere.
The intent here is to keep the squirrel from getting to the actual feeder by restricting its access to the feeder itself. Often mounted on a pole or some other type of relatively inaccessible area, the baffled squirrel proof bird feeder can be mounted on the pole itself. Other styles make the baffle part of the actual feeder arrangement.
These are entertaining to watch when they work. If a squirrel somehow lands on the feeder, it is either thrown off by the feeder rotating under the weight of the squirrel, or the additional weight will activate a trap door like mechanism that restricts access to the food.
These are the most entertaining. The most popular of these are the Droll Yankees feeders, including the Yankee Flipper. In fact, here you can see a video of the Droll Yankees feeders in action. Extremely effective, but they are battery operated so you do have to occasionally change the batteries, but it will be worth it.
- Caged Squirrel Proof Feeders
- Baffled Bird Feeders
- Weight Activated Squirrel Proof Feeders
- Electronic or Motorized Bird Feeders
More on types of squirrel proof feeders at the bottom of the page:
Types of Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders
Caged Bird Feeders
These work by simply restricting the squirrel from accessing the food in the feeder. Often little attempt is made to keep the squirrel from accessing the feeder itself, but eventually if they can't get to the food the squirrels will go elsewhere.
Baffled Bird Feeders
The intent here is to keep the squirrel from getting to the actual feeder by restricting its access to the feeder itself. Often mounted on a pole or some other type of relatively inaccessible area, the baffled squirrel proof bird feeder can be mounted on the pole itself. Other styles make the baffle part of the actual feeder arrangement.
Weight Activated Squirrel Proof Feeders
These are entertaining to watch when they work. If a squirrel somehow lands on the feeder, it is either thrown off by the feeder rotating under the weight of the squirrel, or the additional weight will activate a trap door like mechanism that restricts access to the food.
Electronic or Motorized Bird Feeders
These are the most entertaining. The most popular of these are the Droll Yankees feeders, including the Yankee Flipper. In fact, here you can see a video of the Droll Yankees feeders in action. Extremely effective, but they are battery operated so you do have to occasionally change the batteries, but it will be worth it.