Are you looking for the best bear-proof bird feeder? Then, you’re in the right place! We have found and reviewed the top 4 best bear-proof bird feeders available on the market right now.
Nearly 53 million Americans have installed a bird feeder in their backyard. However, bird feeders attract birds and lure a horde of other creatures like rodents or bears. Though you may keep away squirrels, cats, and prairie dogs from the bird feeder, restraining bears may pose a challenge.
Choosing a very sturdy feeder is one of the most effective ways to protect your bird feeder from black bears or grizzly bears. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the four best bear-proof bird feeders:
4 Best Bear Proof Bird Feeders
| Image | Model | |
|---|---|---|
| Heritage Farms Bird Feeder (Top Pick) | Check Price |
 | Brom Bird Care Feeder | Check Price |
 | Droll Yankees Yankee Flipper | Check Price |
 | Birds Choice Bear Proof Feeder | Check Price |
Heritage Farms Bird Feeder (Editor’s Choice)
If you consider yourself a veteran ornithologist, you do not need to look beyond this Woodlink Absolute Squirrel Resistant Bird Feeder by Heritage Farms. You can bet that this striking feeder featuring a spring-activated stand and a locking top will draw a variety of birds as well as keep bears and squirrels at bay. This hardy feeder from Heritage Farms is made of durable metal and features a counterbalanced perch.
You can adjust the perch in three distinct positions to enable large, medium, and small birds to alight firmly yet comfortably. In addition, this feeder does away with the need to refill more often as it can hold up to 15lbs of mixed seeds. Together with its overhanging roof, the hopper ensures that the seeds remain dry and safe from the elements.
Pros
- The all-steel frame makes the feeder weatherproof and secures it from unwanted critters.
- The innovative design prevents squirrels from accessing the seed tray.
- The adaptable perch can be positioned to let large, small, and medium-size birds roost.
- Capable of holding up to 15 lbs of mixed seeds, peanut halves, safflower, or sunflower seeds
- Seed saver baffle checks birds from scooping out food, thereby reducing wastage.
- Easy to use and clean
Cons
- Extension of the roof a bit more on the feeding side will help keep out snow and rain
- The metal post included in the package may not keep the feeder high enough to protect them from the biggest bears.
Brome Bird Care Feeder
The Squirrel Buster Standard Squirrel-proof Bird Feeder from Brome is not only squirrel-proof but also bear-resistant. The seed ports automatically close when a squirrel attempts to perch on the feeder or a bear tries to nibble on it. In addition, this tube feeder has been designed to prevent the openings’ closure from hurting rodents or omnivores.
The seed tubes being transparent help in trapping solar energy, and the conventional design prevents heated air from escaping out. The patented design promotes replacing hot and humid air with healthy and refreshing air. Every feeder component is made of UV-resistant material that prolongs its shelf life and keeps it looking new.
Pros
- Proprietary Squirrel Buster technology attracts birds but discourages rodents and bears.
- Capacious enough for holding ¾ quarts of black oil sunflower seeds
- Designed to tempt a variety of perching and clinging birds
- Squirrels and large birds perching on the seed tray automatically close the shroud.
- A transparent tube traps solar energy and replaces humid air with fresh air.
- The feeder is dishwasher-safe, rustproof, and waterproof.
- Companionable with extension and branch hooks and wall brackets
Cons
- Attracts only tiny bird species and keeps away cardinals, blue jays, and woodpeckers
- Chunky seeds could clog the ports, preventing food from coming out
- Not dishwasher safe as claimed by the manufacturer
Droll Yankees Yankee Flipper
If you wish to attract finches, sparrows, cardinals, blue jays, and woodpeckers to your garden, then the flipper, Droll Yankee squirrel-proof bird feeder, is your best bet. This feeder’s USP is its motorized roosting ring that spins automatically when a squirrel perches on it. The spinning ring discourages the squirrel from descending on the feeder as the rodent is thrown off-balance when it perches.
The 17-inch tubular feeder has adequate space to hold up to 5lbs of birdseed. So, you do not have to refill the feeder more often. Thanks to the four apertures or openings, birds of different species can easily access the seeds. In addition, a stainless steel loop at the top of the feeder enables it to stay suspended steadily, thus preventing spilling seeds.
Pros
- A motorized perch ring allows birds to feed but denies squirrels and other rodents.
- You’re spared from the hassle of frequently refilling as the tube can hold 5lbs of birdseed.
- UV-stabilized polycarbonate construction and powder-coated metallic components make the feeder hardy and resilient.
- Lifelong guarantee against squirrel tampering
- Attracts a variety of birds
Cons
- Battery life is concise, necessitating you to buy a new battery which corrodes your savings from charges that last for months initially but diminish gradually
- The motorized spinner could make the base rotate, which comes off when the motor is switched off.
Birds Choice Bear Proof Feeder (Our 2nd Choice)
The bear-proof bird feeder by Birds Choice, constructed from industrial-grade steel, is exceptionally hardwearing. The feeder’s heavy-duty construction ensures that bears will not be able to destroy it no matter how hard they try. In addition, a robust metallic loop on the top of the feeder comes in handy for suspending the unit from a cable.
Six perches allow multiple birds to alight and feed, while five viewing ports help check up on seed level. The intelligent design allows easy filling from the top while the base is detachable, making cleaning a breeze.
Pros
- Built from powder-coated steel: incredibly tough
- Convenient filling from the top
- The base is easily removable for cleaning.
- A total of six perches
- Five windows for keeping an eye on the seed level
- Holds up to 3 ½ quart bird seeds
Cons
- You’d have to buy a shaft separately if you wish to install it (instead of suspending it from a cable)
- It does not hold all types of birdseed, sunflower seeds, for instance,
How to Bear-Proof a Bird Feeder (additional tips)
- Clean the entire feeder more often.
- Takedown the feeder during spring
- Use a very long shaft for mounting the feeder or suspend it between two trees at the right height.
- Spice up the feed
- Install a sturdy metal fence around your garden
- Install lights with motion-sensor technology
- Choose a tube feeder made of tough plastic or industrial-grade metal
How to Pick the Best Bear Proof Bird Feeder?
While searching for a quality bear-proof bird feeder, there are some factors you need to take into consideration. In other words, your best bird feeder should come equipped with certain features and functionalities that make it bear-proof. Use the following guidelines when it comes to picking and choosing a top quality bird feeder:
Type
You’ll come across five broad types of bird feeders based on their design. You’ll find platform or ground feeders, suet feeders, tubular feeders, hummingbird feeders, and hoppers. A hopper has an enclosed structure with a feeding system at the base.
Hoppers can hold a large quantity of food and attract a range of feeder birds, including but not limited to sparrows, cardinals, jays, and finches. A ground or platform bird feeder, as its name indicates, has a tray or platform for holding seeds. The platform of a tray feeder also serves as a perch for birds while they feed.
The hummingbird feeders’ design or structure lets you fill them up with liquid nectar, sugar water, or nectar substitutes. Suet feeders are designed for suspending from long shafts or poles and are ideal for holding suet cakes that attract goldfinches and woodpeckers. Tube feeders have a tubular structure and come with ports or screens that allow small birds to feed easily.
A tube feeder featuring a large platform or perch is your best bet if you’re looking for a bear-proof feeder. On the other hand, a tube feeder is easy to fill and maintain.
Food
The food types you choose to feed the birds will influence the bird feeder you eventually buy. For example, go for sunflower seeds if you’re looking to entice a wide and colorful avian variety. On the other hand, suppose you feed suet (peanut butter blended with seeds and grains, you’ll need to buy a suet feeder.
And if you wish to offer grains and seeds, then buy a tube feeder as this feeder type protects the seeds from the element and tends to be bear-proof.
Material
You’ll come across feeders made out of hardened plastics with metallic perches and reinforcements as well as wooden feeders. Your ideal bird feeder that is also bear-resistant should be made from tough material, enabling it to withstand wear and tear.
Should be well-designed
A well-designed feeder implies that it should be bear and weatherproof and be convenient to refill and maintain. Talking about easy refilling, the feeder’s structure should enable you to open it quickly for a quick refill. In addition, the feeder’s design should allow you to open and dismantle it for a thorough cleaning.
Should keep birds in the pink of health
The feeder’s design should let birds quickly access the food and have good openings for water drainage. Leftover food or accumulated water may be unhealthy for the birds and make it difficult for you to clean the feeder.
So, What’s the Best Bear Proof Bird Feeder?
After reviewing the best bear-proof bird feeders, it is clear that each is good for a specific reason. Depending on the requirements, a customer may select the best option.
For instance, if a customer is searching for a robust bird feeder capable of lasting for years, Birds Choice Bear Proof Feeder is suitable.
The all-steel frame Heritage Farms Bird Feeder is another perfect choice if its design is a concern. The feeder is weatherproof and secures it from unwanted critters. In our opinion, it’s the best bear-proof bird feeder available on the market at the moment.