Avian enthusiasts and backyard bird watchers find almost nothing as pleasurable as setting a bird feeder in their backyards and watching bird activities from the comfort of their homes. It’s just another level of mind-soothing experience.
To gain that experience, numerous birders install various bird feeders in their gardens or other outdoor spaces, among which the hopper bird feeder is one of them.
This kind of bird feeder can attract a diversity of migrant and native birds with its ample seed hauling function and ergonomic design. We’re just letting you know that only the best hopper bird feeders can provide such facilities.
So, if you prefer setting up one in your backyard, make sure you have the best one. If you don’t, you can easily find your preferred one by reading this article thoroughly. So, let’s start reading.
Related Review: Best Sunflower Seed Bird Feeder | Read here
Hopper Bird Feeders Diy
Creating a professional hopper bird feeder on your own is quite a challenging job and requires plenty of skills, tools, and time. Here we’re going to share a basic plan and demonstrate how you could build your very first hopper bird feeder without going through much hassle.
#Materials you need:
- One 1 x 8 wooden board should be at least 24 inches long.
- One cedar fence picket, which measurement should be â… inches thick, 5.5 inches wide, and 6 feet long.
- Two 1 x 2-inch boards, which should be 8 feet long.
- Two 9-Inch long hopper end pieces.
- Two roof-end cap pieces.
- Four 16-Inch long roof pieces.
- Two 14-Inch long frame end rails.
- Two 12-Inch long frame side rails.
- Two 12-Inch long perches
- Four 13.5-Inch long bottom screen support pieces.
- Screen Material
#Tools you need:
- Staples
- Wood Screws
- Tacks, brads, or finishing nails
- Wood glue
- Pencil
- Ruler
- Saw
- Philips screwdriver
- Glass cutter
- Clamps
- Router and round-over-bit
#Mark & Cut the Hopper End Pieces:
Before marking, place the end pieces in a position, so their 9-inch side faces up. After that, you need to mark the center and each side following the pattern you use to give them the perfect shape.
First, draw a straight line from the center, then mark the bottom from both sides and finally, again, draw a straight line from each side mark.
After that, you need to make four cuts on the hopper end piece, and that’s how you can mark and cut four hopper end pieces.
#Build the Roof End Cap Pieces:
To build roof end cap pieces, first, you need to cut a 3-inch area from the 1x 8 board; afterward, cut that piece in half, which will be the end caps.
Later on, arrange one hopper end piece by placing it on top of an end piece and mark the hopper end piece’s top angles.
Now, cut end caps’ shoulders, and before cutting, make sure you mark a 90-degree angle. Your end cap pieces are ready.
#Cut Four Roof Pieces:
To make roof pieces, you need to grab a cedar fence picket, mark it, and then make a square cut to prepare four roof pieces. While cutting the roof pieces, make sure you set the angle of your saw under 28.89 degrees.
#Cut the Framing Pieces:
It’s time to work with the 1 x 2 boards; first, you need to mark them and make square cuts to prepare the framing pieces. Also, make two frame end rials, which should be 14 inches long.
Then make two 12 inches long frame side rails, two 12 inches perches, four bottom frames, and some 13.5 inches screen support pieces out of those boards.
#Build the Kerfs:
For building kerfs, mark hopper end pieces’ new outside edges from the outside and draw a straight line on both sides.
After that, cut grooves on these marks; while cutting, make sure the grooves’ thickness matches the thickness of your glass or plexiglass panels that you want to use as screens for your hopper bird feeder.
After making kerfs, you need to create a gap between the tray and the bottom of the glass panel for seed-flowing. Here’s how you should do it.
While making the kerf cut, you need to stop the cut about 0.5 inches short and fill the bottom 0.5 inch of the kerf with wood putty. Then, fill the other 0.5 inches with wood glue and sawdust.
Finally, make a stop with a small nail or screw installed into the kerf. And if you are using plexiglass for screens, you need to drill a small hole to prevent the glass from splitting.
That’s it; you have made all the pieces that are ready to assemble. So, let’s start building them.
#Roof Assembly:
First, make a 2-inch mark from each end of the 16-inch roof piece. Later on, you need to line the roof cap end up with those marks and make sure there is a 2-inch overhang. Finally, glue and tack all the end caps with each roof.
#Frame Base Assembly:
You need to align the end rails with side rails for frame base assembly and place perches between them. You need to set all these pieces in a way so that their long sides stay vertically while short sides lay flat.
Now, fasten the end rails with perches with glue and screw; after that, secure the end rails with side rails.
#Screen Installation:
Start with laying the screen material over the hopper feeder’s frame. Then, cut the screen, and during the cut, you should leave several inches to overlap on each side.
Afterward, you need to fold the additional screen for staples holding; this will keep materials around the corner tightly. Finally, staple.
#Frame & Screen Support Setup:
For frame and screen support installation, you should put the screen supports in the middle of the hopper area.
While setting up, make sure that all the long sides of the support pieces are horizontal and all the short sides are vertical. After that, finish attaching the screen to the screen support pieces.
#Hopper Assembly:
First, attach the hopper end pieces to the frame’s inside rail with the help of glue and tacks or screws. Then, insert the glass panels into each groove on both sides.
If the panels do not fit well initially, try turning them upside down, backward, and reversing the sides. In cases where the glass or plexiglass is too large, the glass would need to be re-cut; however, the plexiglass can be filed or sanded.
If the kerf needs only to be slightly widened or deepened, you might only need to do that before cutting.
#Roof Attachment:
To attach the roof, just place the roof on top of the hopper end pieces. You might secure your roof with a screw, pin, bolt, or latch if you live in a windy area. That’s it; your hopper feeder is ready to serve.
How To Maintain A Bird Feeder
Many people think that maintaining a bird feeder is a daunting chore while it’s a cinch. By following some simple steps, anyone can take proper care of their hopper bird feeders and have those feeders last longer.
The first step for maintaining your bird feeder you need to take is to clean it frequently. You need to empty and clean the hopper feeder regularly to prevent contamination created by moisture and bacteria.
According to avid bird watchers, you need to scrub your feeders down at least every two weeks and shouldn’t forget cleaning in wet weather and at times of the year when many birds visit your yards.
Now let’s talk about how you should clean a hopper bird feeder. To do that, you need to begin with emptying and disassembling the feeder. To clean a feeder, start by completely emptying and dismantling it.
Later on, soak the feeder’s parts in warm water for a couple of minutes.
After that, using a bottle brush and liquid or dish soap, you must thoroughly scrub all parts of the feeder. If you find any mold or mildew buildup, you can soak the feeder in a bleach solution for a while before starting to scrub.
Lastly, finish this cleaning chore by rinsing your hopper feeder with clean water and leaving it for air drying.
How To Pick the Best Hopper Bird Feeder?
After conducting extensive research and consulting with avian experts, we found some prominent and easy ways to follow when you want to purchase the best bird feeder at a low cost without going through any hassle.
1. Material:
Indeed, the material is one of the quintessential features of any bird feeder. So, while looking to buy a hopper feeder, you should first check out its material.
Usually, most hopper bird feeders are made out of wood, but it will be helpful for you if you can get something crafted from metal, glass, or nonporous and easy-to-clean materials.
It’s because this material requires less or no maintenance, and it tends to last for an extended duration.
2. Design:
Your bird feeder must feature an alluring design that can draw the attention of both birders and birdies alongside beautifying your garden’s or yard’s beauty.
Besides, it should be spacious enough to accommodate an ample number of seed and shouldn’t contain any additional pieces that can make birds stuck while perching or eating seeds from the tray.
In short, it should boast an ergonomic, functional, and attractive design.
3. Easy Disassembling Facility:
As you may know, bird feeders require frequent cleaning, so your hopper feeder should provide easy disassembling and cleaning functionalities.
All of its parts should come apart with less effort in minimum time, and it will be an added plus if these parts are less likely to allow mold or mildew to build, and these parts should prevent rust and corrosion if they are made from metal.
4. Drainage:
The drainage system is necessary for every bird feeder, irrespective of its style. Hence, make sure your hopper feeder has a drainage function to drain out contaminated water and keep seeds and its interior dry and fresh.
In addition to that, this function will help you with easy cleaning, though.
5. Budget:
After checking all those mentioned above features, it is time to consider the price of the feeder. There is a saying that high-quality stuff comes with a high price tag.
Somehow, this statement is true for bird feeders as well. But it doesn’t mean that you can’t get the best quality hopper bird feeder at an affordable price.
In essence, we have found a couple of them and included those below in this article. Let’s start checking them out.
Comparison Table: Best Hopper Bird Feeders
| Name | Material | Seed Tray/ Capacity | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01. Gray Bunny Deluxe Hopper Feeder | Solid Wood, Iron & Polycarbonate | – | 1.75 lbs. | Check Price |
| 02. Woodlink Wood Hopper Bird Feeder | Wood | 5 lbs. Of Seed Hauling | 4.02 lbs. | Check Price |
| 03. Woodlink Absolute Squirrel Resistant Hopper Bird Feeder | Powder-Coated Steel | 15 lbs. Of Seed Hauling Capacity | 12.3 lbs. | Check Price |
| 04. Audubon Squirrel Resistant Hopper Bird Feeder | Powder-Coated Steel | 9 lbs. Of Seed Hauling Capacity | 5.3 lbs. | Check Price |
01. Best Hopper Bird Feeders With Suet Cages
Key Features:
- Solid Wooden Structure
- Iron Suet Cages
- Polycarbonate Window
- Steel Hanging Cable
- 1.75 lbs. Of Weight
Invite almost all bird kinds to your garden, lawn, or other places with this Gray Bunny Deluxe Hopper Feeder. It’s robustly built and beautifully designed to store and serve plenty of bird food to your feathered friends whilst enhancing your yard’s beauty.
Crafted from solid evergreen wood, this hopper feeder will last a lifetime. Besides wooden material, it also houses iron, steel, and polycarbonate. Yes, this bird feeder comes with two iron suet cages to attract nuthatches, wrens, and woodpeckers.
In contrast, it also boasts a crystal-clear window that automatically dispenses seeds to lure and feed ground-feeding birds, such as doves, buntings, and jays. The best fact regarding this hopper bird feeder is that it enables many birds to enjoy meals simultaneously.
Unlike most low-quality bird feeders, this one supports hassle-free seed filling with the help of its flip-up lid and effortless installation, thanks to its chew-proof, steel hanging cable.
Finally, the gray bunny bird feeder also promotes easy maneuvering and carrying as it has a compact size of about 16 x 10 x 8 inches and a weight of around 1.75 pounds.
Overall, this bird feeder has an ergonomic design, beautiful structure and is quite spacious to store ample bird food to serve and keep your feathery friends cheerful. However, you can get this awesome stuff at a low cost on this website.
02. Best Wooden Hopper Bird Feeders
Key Features:
- Wooden Construction
- Dual Suet Cages
- 5 lbs. Of Seed Hauling Capacity
- Roof Hinge
- 4.02 lbs. Of Weight
Offering great feeding and perching space and ensuring bird visibility, the Woodlink Wood Hopper Bird Feeder with 2 Suet Cages is one such hopper feeder specially designed to take your birding journey to a whole new level.
Except for the suet cage, window, and roof hinge, its entire construction is made out of high-quality, robust, and durable wood that offers extreme rigidity longevity and serves outstanding performance for years.
The bird feeder comes with a jaw-dropping seed holding capacity of 5 pounds. Not only that, alongside storing such an amount of mixed seeds, it also allows users to put two suet cakes inside the attached steel suet cages.
That’s why it can attract and feed various birds, including chickadees, cardinals, finches, woodpeckers, and more. Lastly, this bird feeder allows easy seed filling as its roof can be flipped.
All said, with a ranch-style design and incredible seed housing capacity, this hopper feeder will never fail to lure those feathery creatures to your yards. Anyway, this bird feeder can be bought at a low price from here.
03. Best Squirrel Proof Hopper Bird Feeders
Key Features:
- Powder-Coated Steel Body
- 15 lbs. Of Seed Hauling Capacity
- No-Waste Seed Saver Baffle
- Zinc-Plated Steel Hanger
- 12.3 lbs. Of Weight
Introducing the Woodlink Absolute Squirrel Resistant Hopper Bird Feeder, specially manufactured for severe birders who don’t ever want their feathered guests to run out of food while visiting their gardens, backyards, or other space.
This hopper bird feeder is constructed of heavy-duty, powder-coated steel, ensuring incredible rigidity longevity alongside withstanding rust and corrosion to give you the ultimate performance for years to come.
The attractive bird feeder will lure a wide array of birds as it’s got an impressive 15 pounds of seed storing capacity.
Besides that, it will also keep squirrels and other crawling creatures at bay, thanks to its locking top and spring-activated perch, which work collectively to give you a hassle-free birding adventure.
Another specialty of this bird feeder is that its perch is adjustable to three positions, allowing light, medium, and heavy birds to perch comfortably.
Aside from that, it also prevents birds from shoveling seeds out with the help of its no-waste seed saver baffle.
Finally, the woodlink bird feeder allows hassle-free installation as it boasts a zinc-plated steel hanger and a black powder-coated pole.
In summary, this hopper wild bird feeder is equipped with nearly all the crucial functions you want from a top-notch bird feeder for a remarkable birding journey from the comfort of your home. Get it from this website.
04. Best Metal Hopper Bird Feeders
Key Features:
- Powder-Coated Steel Body
- 9 lbs. Of Seed Hauling Capacity
- Zinc-Plated Hanger
- 8.25 x 12.75 x 15.25 Inches Dimension
- 5.3 lbs. Of Weight
Featuring an ergonomically designed structure and offering easy seed filling and installing functionalities, the Audubon Bird’s Delight Squirrel Resistant Hopper Bird Feeder can be a perfect option for all birders.
Crafted from chew-resistant, powder-coated steel, its body will endure years of wear and tear without catching any rust or corrosion. Instead, it will serve you the best performance for years.
Like other standard bird feeders, it also houses an ample seed storing capacity of 9 pounds.
As a result, you can fill your bird feeder with a variety of seeds, from sunflower peanut halves to safflower, and can attract a myriad of bird species to your garden. This function will also relieve you from the hassle of frequent seed filling.
The Audubon hopper feeder comes with a spring-assisted perch, offering adjustable settings to help birdies perch and feed comfortably. Aside from that, this feeder also contains a zinc-plated hanger for easy hanging.
Last and one of the most crucial features of this bird feeder is its top lid, which works for keeping squirrels off the feeder alongside allowing you to fill seed conveniently.
All in all, if you’re inquiring for a premium-quality hopper bird feeder without breaking your bank, this one can be the right option for you, and you can get it from here.
Final Words
The bird feeder is essential to attract and feed the most incredible variety of birds to your backyard. And it is also crucial to facilitate your birding journey and add an aesthetic accent to your gardens, patios, decks, or backyards.
Considering the importance of bird feeders, you should always be extra cautious while looking for or installing a bird feeder. We recommend you go with the best one and regularly take proper care of the chosen one to extend its lifespan.
That’s all for this article; we hope you found it quite promising and information-rich. Get in touch with us on Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook. Which hopper feeder do you like most? Comment down below.
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