Hopper Feeder: Hopper feeders are large and bird friendly, especially to large birds. Big birds like jays and woodpeckers are able to land on a hopper feeder and feed easily. In general, hopper feeders hold more bird seed than other feeders. Therefore, you don't need to refill them as often. In freezing cold weather, it is nice to be warm inside knowing the birds have plenty of food outside. These feeders can also be very decorative, looking like a barn or a chalet. They frequently have suet feeders attached and this can increase the types of birds coming to the feeder. Squirrel proofing these feeders can be accomplished by a counter-balance system that closes the seed opening when a squirrel gets on the feeder.
Tube Feeders: Tube feeders are the feeders seen most often in backyard. They are long tubes with feeding ports located along and around the tube and have short perches. Tube feeders attract chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, goldfinches and other small birds. Larger birds cannot use the short perches. Some tube feeders come with a cardinal ring or longer or lower perches to allow cardinals and grosbeaks to feed at the feeder. These feeders can be filled with sunflower seeds, thistle seeds, nyger or special seed mixtures. Be certain that the seed you use is compatible with the seed ports. Sunflower seeds will not work in a nyger feeder. The seeds in these feeders are protected from the weather so snow and sleet can't get at the food. Tube feeders can be made squirrel proof in general by using the weight of the squirrel to close off the seed ports. Some tube feeders even have computer operated programs that realize when a squirrel is on the feeder and twirls or tips him off.