Plastic vs Metal bird feeders

Focus more on what the bird feeder you intend to utilize with, continues to be accessible to a variety of wild birds, because the bird feeder material matters a lot less.

When it comes to Plastic vs. Metal bird feeders, I would say metal is better by a whimper, yet both bird feeder materials have issues. While metal bird feeders can still fade in color, and even rust; plastic bird feeders will deform in shape, with the color fading due to being outdoors.

When people make use of a plastic bird feeder, it usually comes in three or four as you likely bought a set that includes seeds and possibly a plastic dish.

Cheaper to buy bird feeder sets are made in plastic for budgetary reasons, which could be why you choose plastic resin feeders.

While any particular metal bird feeder that is unusual and not commonly available in stores, will force you to go out of your way to buy a metal specific bird feeder.

With that, you can guarantee there will also be a made in metal suet cake/fat ball feeder, of which was chosen in order to store certain bird feed. In fact, all wire mesh bird devices like peanut feeders must be made in steel.

So you see bird feeders just may be made in plastic or metal depending on what the feeder is used for, like what bird feed goes in what bird feeder.

No suet feeder is likely to be made in plastic while a tubular seed feeder will also have a clear plastic tube to store seeds in.

Whatever material of bird feeders you go with, both will have their benefits yet either material can cause a lot of issues later on. Among them, fading and deformity is likely in plastic; with fading and rusting developing on metal bird feeders.

Metal indestructible

When it comes to metal versus plastic bird feeders, there is an argument to be made with metal bird feeders being the most hard wearing option.

Heck, you could also say any kind of metal bird feeder would be indestructible.

All metal bird feeders are made to last, of which you can't beat the solid steel, cast iron or copper - in case of a copper Hummingbird feeder - construction of any feeder... as it retains its quality over what could be a plastic copper effect equivalent.

Metal bird feeders can scratch, wear if painted and indeed rust due to wear and tear due to hanging outdoors for years - which can eventually cause it to rust.

Overall, a made in metal bird feeder is still going to retain its shape over years upon years in an outdoor environment. And that is especially true if there's no plastic parts making up a percentage of the build quality.

I can say with certainty that metal bird feeders are safe to utilize in your yard, with no cause to be concerned about wild bird use.

On the downside, wherever rust will appear on your metal bird feeder, the rust isn't easy to clean and can't really be repaired, which will lead to it getting worse.

Plastic will deform or fade

With metal bird feeders sure to retain its shape and quality over the duration of its use, even if there's no guarantee as it can rely upon brand quality - plastic bird feeders will in due course, begin to deform in shape and fade in color.

In particular, this applies to made in plastic seed bird feeders and any kind of plastic Hummingbird feeder.

Plastic bird feeders are molded at the point of manufacturing, which the color is injected into the liquid plastic before its formed into many parts; where later its assembled using all the parts to produce any type of plastic resin bird feeder.

Despite the color being part of the mold, UV and all weather conditions will cause this color to fade.

It doesn't matter how often you clean a plastic bird feeder either, the fading effect cannot being avoided in far inferior, or more expensive plastic feeders.

Where else a plastic built bird feeder can't beat its metal counterpart, is how flimsy or thick plastic molded bird feeders are, so are guaranteed to deform in shape.

Still, plastic bird feeders remain a safe choice when picking a bird feeder to feed wild birds on seeds mixes or mealworms, just as long you do your best to clean it regularly.

Little difference in both

When it really comes down to reality, both plastic and metal bird feeders have their disadvantages, yet both have genuine benefits.

In the end, what material you finally decide to go with, its still going to feel like you should of gone with the opposite bird feeder build, that is just how it goes.

Focus on more on what bird feed you use, and what plastic or metal bird feeder the bird feed must go in.

Don't get bogged down on trivia like plastic vs metal bird feeders, when you should be concentrating on setting up an effective, highly visible and accessible bird feeder location - whether bird feeders are hung, mounted or placed on a surface.

What I will say though is plastic bird feeders will be lighter overall. To prevent movement, a heavier metal bird feeder will help, yet plastic bird feeders are often cheaper to replace.

Similarly, ground bird feeders will be metal because metal on an ground environment will prevent decay; as opposite to still durable plastic certain to ruin on an often damp but harsh patio or lawn placement.

Rely on bird feeder purpose only

Rather than worry about what bird feeders are made of, focus more on what the feeder was developed for - because in the end the material doesn't matter at all.

What bird feeders are made of, be it plastic, metal or wood, it really is all about personal preference, as oppose to how it benefits wild birds.

With that, you should still be going with a wild bird-first approach, as you'd want to feed a variety of wild birds with zero restrictions.

If that means utilizing a plastic or metal bird feeder, then pick one that matches your specific needs.

What makes a good bird feeder is one that dispenses bird feed with no restrictions in place, if that means buying what can be a wooden Hopper bird feeder, then so be it - although metal hopper bird feeders are available to buy.

Similar to that, will be a metal pole mounted bird feeder making more sense versus a still lightweight, likely incompatible plastic bird feeder pole, which is impaled in the ground.

Conclude - both materials are good

I don't believe there's really competition between a plastic and metal bird feeder. Why, because both materials has its benefits and disadvantages.

Metal bird feeders can be seen as more indestructible, and therefore will last longer outdoors, versus its weaker plastic counterpart. You will find plastic bird feeders to be more expendable, because they're cheaper to replace.

Metal bird feeders will also retain its overall quality in shape and color.

Plastic bird feeders have a knack for fading in color due to being exposed to harsh outdoor conditions - while at the same time plastic will deform.

With metal bird feeders holding up as they were when they were first hung up on the bird feeder pole or branch; plastic bird feeders are the opposite, in that they often quickly look cheap and tacky in less than a year.

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