A bird feeder is a small container usually shaped like a cylinder used to attract birds to a garden. They vary in shape but are often designed to be tall and slender and to hang from a tree branch. The container is filled with birdseed and usually has a grill or small opening through which the bird can get the food. Most have small perches on which the birds can stand, but some simple use a wire mesh that the birds can easily grip. The owner may buy a small tray that fits underneath the feeder to catch errant seeds.

The colour of the feeder, and the type of seeds placed in the container, are changed in order to attract different species of birds. The most common is millet or sunflower seed but any can be used that apply to the diet of the local wildlife. This is useful to bird watchers who want to attract various species of bird to their home for photography or study. Living food such as mealworms can be placed in some feeders, allowing birds with offspring to use the device.

One problem with bird feeders is that other garden animals will be attracted. Often, squirrels or even mice will steal the seed. Some companies produce separate feeders for mammals, and some employ inventive methods of deterring pests. Some feeders have perches that very lightly shock or fold downwards when an object heavier than a bird is placed on it, causing any interlopers to be cast aside.

Different types of birds sometimes have their own types of bird feeder. For insect eating birds you can get a feeder that contains a block of suet that can be slowly worked away on. For birds like hummingbirds, which feed off nectar, there are feeders that contain a liquid and sugar mixture than the birds can drink. Some species of birds like to feed at ground level, and so there are feeders built for this purpose.