Do bird feeders need a perch

Feeders are compatible with most common backyard feeder birds, but as you may find out bird feeders do need a perch as it acts as functionality, rather than decoration.

Not true as it is for certain types of bird feeders, but indeed seed feeders are the only kind of feeders that need a perch. Unlike the grip offered via mesh feeder or similarly a cage suet feeder birds use to cling onto - seed feeders are far more restricting. With most birds unlikely to feed unless there's a perch to land.

If you didn't know already, bird houses - not feeders - can come with a perch, but as experts will tell you, perches only exist to assist predators.

Not so with a perch or more present on any type of bird feeder, because where a perch is present, its guaranteed to be needed.

Seed feeders won't be accessible without a perch, as such a perch is fixed to wherever a feeding port is situated. Without said perch the birds won't be able to grip on the plastic tube as they feed.

Mesh bird feeders are a feeder that don't need a perch at all, as the mesh surround acts as a perch - with the option to allow more birds to feed with little to no restrictions.

Same goes for suet feeders made into a cage, where birds can feed from all six sides if they must - with no perch in sight of this most successful feeder in our backyards.

Feeders do not need a perch if its anything other than a tube feeder with multiple feeding holes - or else the birds can use what would be a bottom tray to perch around.

In a way, all bird feeders make use of a perch, be it a purpose-made perch or where birds use an unintended place to land on.

Birds do find a way to use a feeder to eat at will, but in the end a perch is going to be most useful for more birds, rather than restricting use to only the smaller, more agile birds.

Regarding hummingbirds, indeed hummingbird feeders are an example of a feeder that doesn't require a perch, as hummingbirds can hover as they feed.

Seed feeders DO need a perch

Whatever type of seed bird feeder you may have in your possession, or plan to buy in the near future, its unlikely to be one without use of a perch or two.

Seed feeders tend to be made in a clear plastic tube with holes that act as feeding ports.

Positioned under each port hole would be the perch that acts as a place for birds to land on, as to eat up the seeds without restrictions.

Now imagine these seed feeders existing without perches adjacent to each port hole, with birds not being able to perch to eat.

Birds cannot perch on clear, yet very slippery plastic tubing so as such, there's no way birds can access the seeds within tube feeders made to hold seeds.

Similarly, tube feeders can be made to hold mealworms in which comes with perches also.

Seed feeders are the only type of bird feeder that requires a perch to act as functionality, rather than being decorative like a perch seen on a bird house - which you'll find bird houses don't need a perch to function.

No perch for MESH-type feeder

If you find that your mesh style bird feeder comes with a perch, I would say this is unusual choice design wise as mesh is a place to perch as is.

Common backyard birds who feed off peanuts are the likely contenders to use a mesh feeder full of nuts - with birds commonly seen to perch on the metal mesh rather than a perch, if made available.

Its true peanut or even seed feeders made in wood do have a perch fixed to the bottom, but in a way this acts more as a feed surround than a practical perch.

Greater the size of a peanut feeder the easier its made for birds of all sizes to feed.

However, the smaller the mesh feeder becomes the more difficult it is for birds to use. Its likely then birds will continue to feed off the mesh surround, but it is restricted to more agile birds in the yard.

If you want to make sure no birds go without, you can indeed make a makeshift perch using a twig or branch found in the yard to thread through the mesh to create a double-sided perch.

No perches tend to exist on a mesh type feeder then but if it does you can be assured this would only assist more birds, or larger, less agile birds if that.

Perch always applicable

Regardless of if the feeder has or hasn't a perch made available, the use of a perch is always going to benefit your birds.

Where there is no perch made available this restricts use of any type of feeder to smaller birds that are able to cling onto smooth surfaces or prefer to feed upside down, such as Chickadees and Woodpeckers.

But for any feeder that comes with a perch - with a minimum of two perches - then this opens up use of your feeder to all types of birds.

Feeders that come with a perch is always going to be relevant to the wild birds needs, because there's time when perching is made harder.

If the feeder sways in the wind then birds may decide to cling to the side of the feeder, whereas a perch would be hard to land on as it moves.

To have a perch on a seed feeder is an absolute must, but for one to not exist on a tube feeder that holds mealworms would be beneficial, but no big deal if gone without.

Similar to mesh feeders are metal cage feeders designed to hold suet; these feeder do not need a perch at all but it can assist more birds if you were make a perch yourself.

Benefits of perch vs no perch

Sure there are benefits to bird feeders that make use of a perch, with seed feeders not being able to function properly without one.

Feeders that are made with a metal mesh acts as the perch alone, but there's certainly benefits to be had with peanut feeders that come with a set of perches. Among them is to allow larger, more clumsy birds to perch to feed in safety.

And where there's a perch attached to any type of feeder, but usually the long style seed or peanut feeders - you can guarantee the said perch acts as a screw.

What I mean by that is the perch can be unscrewed from opposite sides of each other, to allow you, the user - to disassemble the feeder to clean or maintain.

Where there's no perch present then chrome screws are seen to be in place of perches.

Benefits to be had with no perch present mind, among them is to allow more birds to feed on a mesh feeder with feeding ports on seed feeder restricted to perch placements only.

And this is true for seed feeders that need a perch situated under the port holes or else the seeds cannot be accessed by any bird.

If its a smaller seed feeder then two birds can feed at a time, so larger seed feeders open up to even more port holes, plus its associated perch - so more birds can gather.

Why suet feeders made to hold suet cakes or fat balls don't need a perch is because the birds can eat from all angles, thus allowing all bird species to feed as its their favorite feeder in the yard.

To summarize

Bird feeders do need a perch if its only the clear, long tube seed type feeder, as birds would be unable to perch around on what would be a smooth, slippery surround.

Whereas mesh type feeders designed to hold peanuts among other feed, do not need a perch at all as birds tend to prefer to cling onto the mesh itself.

With all that being said, a makeshift perch can be used, tied onto a mesh or suet feeder via string or rope with use of a twig or branch. The idea would be to open up your more restricted feeder to less agile, more larger backyard birds.

Bird feeders don't need a perch if you only intend to restrict use of your feeder to certain, yet probably more friendly common birds.

Remember, perches can assist pests such as squirrels so to not have a perch attached can make it more difficult for squirrels to feed, but not impossible I might add.

Perches can always be present on a bird feeder, so to have one on a mesh feeder is less common, but a helpful device that only assists mores birds.

Benefits of a perch present certainly does outweigh a feeder without a perch.

Perches must be present on certain types of bird feeders to function, but when there's none included you might find the feeder in use is open to a wider range of bird species.

Share this article: