Hopper Bird Feeders: Also Known as Chalet or Gazebo

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1. Introduction

Hopper bird feeders are a "traditional" style of bird feeder. They are often the first feeder purchased by individuals wanting to attract wild birds to their backyard.


Large 2.5 gallon capacity Chalet bird feeder.




Hoppers consist of a floor, a roof and sides. The seed is contained and protected from the weather by the bin.

Chalet and gazebo bird feeders are types of hopper bird feeders.

The gazebo bird feeder being round, has one circular side. The chalet bird feeder on the other hand has four sides. The sides in both styles have a gap at the bottom to allow seed to be dispensed on the floor of the feeder for the birds to pick up.

Gazebo style feeders in particular, are often very decorative. This adds aesthetic value to a backyard for the human viewer.

But, beyond aesthetics, part of the attractiveness of hopper bird feeders is that they are very functional, efficiently maintained and are easily accessible to a large variety of bird species.



2. List of features

● Closed in seed holder often called the bin.
● Very often the sides are clear plastic or glass.

● One or both sides are available for the birds to eat.

● Perches or rails provide a place for the birds to sit while eating.

● Hopper bird feeders can be set up as hanging bird feeders or be pole mounted.




3. Best Seed Choice for This Feeder

Mixed wild bird seed
Black oil sunflower seed


4. Positives

● The greatest advantage to this feeder is that the seed is protected from the elements. The hopper or bin part of the feeder keeps the wild bird seed dry and protected from the elements.

Chalet bird feeder.
● Large feeders in this style can hold a great deal of seed and will not have to be filled as often, as the large chalet feeder shown in the first photo on this page.
● When both sides are available for dining it allows the birds to eat more peacefully as they cannot see each other.

The chalet feeder in this photo has Plexiglas sides and perches.

● A wide variety of birds are able to feed from this style of feeder particularly if the seed troughs extend to a larger flat surface.

● Hopper bird feeders are often made from wood and cedar bird feeders will last longer compared to other types of wood.

● Clear sides make it easy to tell if the feeder needs to be refilled.


5. Problems

● Because mixed seed or black oil sunflower seed are usually used in this style of feeder, it may attract unwanted birds and other unwelcome guests, such as Starlings and Blackbirds.
● Some wild birds will shovel mixed seed out of the feeder looking for their favourite pieces.

● If the hopper feeder does not have perches then the birds have to feed standing in the seed area causing the seed to become contaminated by bird droppings.

A handsome male Red Bellied Woodpecker.


The "Shovel"

We had a female Redbellied Woodpecker who visited our yard daily a few years ago. She loved to eat peanuts, as all Woodpeckers do.
I saw her on a few occasions at the platform feeder hanging on to the edge picking out peanuts. But most of the time she would be at the chalet feeder shoveling out all the seed. She wouldn’t stop until she had the peanut she could see half way up the clear side of the feeder!
But we didn’t mind loosing seed on the ground this way, just having her visit our backyard was well worth it!

6. User Opinions

Many people view this as the “staple” bird feeder and start out with this style. Because of this, it becomes the “old standby” and most backyard bird watchers maintain this type and add other styles for variety.


7. List of Birds Attracted to This Feeder



Chickadees
Nuthatches

Red Bellied Woodpeckers

Mourning Doves

Cardinals

Finches

Grosbeaks

Titmouse

Jays

Pine Siskin

Buntings

Sparrows

Starlings

Blackbirds

For a Free Bird Feeder Plan, try this Excellent Website:
Proven Woodworking Plans
Want to Learn More About Other Types of Bird Feeders?

Platform feeders, table feeders & tray feeders
Suet bird feeders and
Suet bird food recipes
Ground bird feeder
Hummingbird feeders
Gazebo bird feeder
Hopper bird feeder
Chalet bird feeder
Bluebird feeder
Tube feeders
Window feeders

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