There’s no cage guard on the Heavy Duty Seed Feeder so squirrels could still attempt to jump aboard and steal some seeds, but the sturdy aluminium will prevent them from breaking into it as would inevitably happen with an all-plastic feeder. The metal loop makes this feeder ideal for hanging from a branch or hook in your garden. Gardman recommends you place it no more than two metres away from cover, such as trees or dense bushes, so that birds can retreat to safety between mouthfuls. Suet feeder: Suet feeders come in box or tube shapes and, like nut feeders, they use a steel mesh that provides access to the suet balls or cakes within. These balls and cakes are often sold encased in a plastic net which you must remove before you place the suet into the feeder. Otherwise, birds could trap their beaks or feet inside the net and suffer serious injuries. This adorable wooden feeder from the National Trust has been designed to look just like a classic birdhouse and can be dangled with ease from any hook or branch in your garden. It’s easy to refill too, holding up to kilo of seeds, and equally easy to clean. What’s more, if you feel like a change, then you can remove the plastic screens and use the Geneva as a birdhouse or decoration. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds knows a thing or two about feeding birds, so you can be sure that this budget-friendly Window Bird Feeder will work a treat. Constructed from durable, non-yellowing polycarbonate and held in place by three strong suction cups, this transparent feeder lets you enjoy the view as birds stop by to nibble on seeds, suet pieces and mealworms. Window feeder: These box-shaped feeders are attached to glass using strong suction cups and are transparent on all sides. That way, the birds can see what’s inside the feeder and bird watchers can enjoy watching them feed through the window. Window feeders can hold a mixture of foods and are best for smaller birds.

READ NEXT: The best garden secateurs you can buy The best bird feeders to buy in 2023 1. Gardman Heavy Duty Seed Feeder: The best-value large seed feeder Be aware that, while this feeder goes some way to stopping food thieves, it can’t stop them all. Smaller corvids such as magpies might still be able to fit their beaks through the gaps, and the juvenile squirrels seen in the summer could potentially squeeze in, too. The RSPB recommends placing this feeder roughly two metres from any jumping platform so squirrels can’t reach it. With the gaps as small as they are, however, certain larger avian varieties may struggle to access the feed, so keep that in mind when hanging this up outside if there’s a particular breed of feathered friends you’re hoping to attract. There is a silver lining to this variable though, in that nuisance birds, such as pigeons, are unlikely to feast themselves at your expense or cause damage to the feeder. Nut feeder: Like seed feeders, nut feeders are also tubular but use a steel mesh to dispense the food. Birds can perch on the feeder and eat small pieces of peanut through the mesh, which needs to be large enough to avoid trapped beaks but small enough to stop birds from pulling out large pieces. Never use salted or dry roasted peanuts and always buy your peanuts from a reputable supplier to eliminate the risk of aflatoxin, a natural toxin that can kill birds.It may be a pricier option yet this dual-seed feeder from Roam Wild earns its expensive price tag for its large two-litre (or 2kg) capacity and ease of use. There are eight perches for many birds to feed together, as well as window protectors and weatherproofing to make sure that the seeds stay fresh and dry longer. Little birds love their suet, especially in winter, when calorie-dense food is essential for their survival. Unfortunately, big birds and squirrels like it too. That’s where this Suet Feeder and Guardian from the RSPB comes in. The cylindrical food holder is surrounded by a cage guard that allows only small birds through its gaps, keeping unwanted pests at bay. And thanks to the sturdy steel wire construction, even the most determined adult squirrel won’t be able to break the bars apart.

This Gardman seed feeder is the perfect entry-level model for anyone looking to draw songbirds to their garden. Holding up to 600g of seeds inside a transparent tube, it has four perches and four portholes, allowing multiple birds to feed at once. Crucially, the portholes, perches, lid and base are all made from polished diecast aluminium, meaning squirrels won’t be able to damage them.

Turn your home into a songbird cafe with our pick of the best bird feeders for gardens and patios

Ground feeder: As the name suggests, these feeding stations are placed on the ground or elevated just above it. They generally have an open tray or trough that holds a wide variety and volume of feed. Though versatile and easy to clean, they present an easier target for squirrels and birds such as crows and pigeons that you may not wish to feed. The National Trust’s Apollo Feeder is an affordable, reliable peanut feeding station for small birds that’s suitable for hanging in any garden or patio. Its galvanised wire mesh is robust enough to resist damage from pesky squirrels, and the gaps are the perfect size for little birds’ beaks, allowing them to take modest chunks out of the nuts. Key Specs –Food types: Suet balls, bird cake; Materials: Powder-coated steel wire; Mounting type: Hanging