Bird Tables & Feeders – Feeding Stations for Garden Birds
Encourage wild birds to visit your garden with a bird table or feeder where suitable bird food can be offered. A dedicated feeding station provides a regular place for garden birds to find supplementary food and also gives you the opportunity to enjoy watching different species from your home or garden. Feeding can be particularly useful at times when natural food sources are harder to find.
At Intergard you will find bird tables and feeders for the garden in a range of designs, sizes and styles. Depending on the model, a feeding station may be freestanding, mounted, hung from a suitable support or placed on a stand. When choosing one, consider not only its appearance but also where it will be positioned, how easily birds can reach it and how straightforward it is to refill and clean.
A suitable location should give birds a good view of their surroundings and allow them to move away quickly if they sense danger. Take potential predators such as cats into account when choosing the position. Bird food should also be checked regularly so that wet, spoiled or contaminated food does not remain at the feeding station.
Feeding garden birds is not limited to winter. Their needs and suitable foods can vary throughout the year. Explore our bird tables and feeders below and create a practical feeding station for wild birds in your garden or outdoor space.
What is a bird table?
A bird table is a dedicated feeding station where suitable food can be offered to wild birds. It provides a regular and recognisable place for garden birds to feed and, depending on its design, may provide some shelter for the food.
Bird tables are available in different shapes, sizes and designs. Some are freestanding or mounted on a stand, while other types of bird feeders can be hung from a suitable branch or support. Always check the individual product information before choosing a model.
What is the difference between a bird table and a bird feeder?
A bird table usually provides an open feeding platform, often with a roof, whereas bird feeder is a broader term covering different products designed to hold and dispense bird food.
For example, a hanging seed feeder and a traditional wooden feeding table both provide food for garden birds but do so in different ways. Which type is most suitable depends on the food you want to offer, the available space and the birds visiting your garden.
Why put a bird table in your garden?
A bird table creates a regular place where visiting garden birds can find supplementary food. It can also make it easier to observe the different wild birds that visit your garden.
A feeding station can be useful because:
- bird food can be offered in a fixed location;
- food may be partly sheltered depending on the design;
- the feeding area can be checked and refilled regularly;
- garden birds are easier to observe;
- the food offered can be adapted to the season.
Bird table or bird house: what is the difference?
A bird table is primarily intended for feeding birds, while a bird house or nest box is intended to provide a nesting place. They therefore serve different purposes.
If you want to provide seeds or other suitable bird food, choose a bird table or feeder. If you want to provide a suitable nesting site for a particular bird species, choose an appropriate nest box.
Using these terms correctly is particularly important when choosing a product, as a feeding station should not automatically be considered suitable for nesting.
Where should I put a bird table?
Position a bird table where birds can see their surroundings and move away quickly if they sense danger. Potential predators, particularly cats, should also be taken into account when choosing the location.
A relatively quiet part of the garden may be suitable. Nearby trees, shrubs or other vegetation can provide birds with places to retreat, although the exact position will depend on the layout of your garden and the type of feeding station.
If you enjoy watching garden birds from indoors, you can also consider the view from a window when choosing the position, provided the location remains suitable for the birds.
How high should a bird table be?
There is no single ideal height that applies to every bird table and every garden. A stable position, good access for birds and consideration of predators are more important than choosing one universal height.
For a freestanding bird table, consider whether cats or other animals can easily reach the feeding area. Hanging feeders should be securely attached to a suitable support. Always follow the positioning and installation instructions for the individual product.
What food can I put on a bird table?
Use bird food that is suitable for wild birds and appropriate for the time of year. Different bird species have different feeding preferences.
Depending on the feeding station and the birds visiting your garden, suitable seeds, grains and specially prepared wild bird food may be offered. Always follow the instructions supplied with commercially prepared bird food.
Do not offer spoiled or mouldy food. Food that has remained wet or heavily contaminated should also be removed.
Feeding birds in winter
Supplementary feeding can help provide an additional source of food for wild birds during winter. Cold weather and changing conditions can make some natural food sources harder to find or access.
A bird table in winter provides a regular place where suitable food can be offered. Check the feeding area frequently, remove wet or contaminated food and replenish it with suitable fresh food when necessary.
Can you feed garden birds all year round?
Garden birds can be offered supplementary food throughout the year, although their needs and suitable foods can vary between seasons. Adapt the type of food offered to the time of year and the birds visiting your garden.
Good hygiene remains important throughout the year. Do not allow old food to accumulate and regularly check that the food being offered remains suitable.
Bird feeders for small gardens and balconies
A compact bird feeder can provide a useful feeding station where outdoor space is limited. Choose a model that suits the available space and can be positioned or secured safely.
When using a feeder on a suitable balcony, consider the surrounding area and try to prevent food debris from spreading unnecessarily. Make sure any hanging or mounted feeder is securely attached.
Wooden bird tables
A wooden bird table has a natural appearance that suits many gardens. The type of wood, treatment, finish and maintenance requirements depend on the individual product.
Always check the product specifications. Timber used outdoors is exposed to changing weather and its appearance may alter over time. Maintain the bird table according to the recommendations for the particular product and material.
How do you keep a bird table clean?
Regularly remove old food, droppings and other dirt from the bird table or feeding station. Keeping the feeding area clean helps prevent spoiled or contaminated food from accumulating.
How often cleaning is required depends on factors such as weather, use and the number of birds visiting. Check the feeding station frequently and clean it whenever dirt or old food begins to accumulate.
How-to: setting up and using a bird table
Follow these steps to create a practical feeding station for garden birds:
- Choose a suitable bird table or feeder. Consider the available space, size and how the product is installed or positioned.
- Select a suitable location. Birds should be able to see their surroundings and move away quickly if necessary.
- Consider cats and other predators. Position the feeding station where predators cannot easily approach feeding birds unnoticed.
- Install it securely. Follow the instructions provided with the individual product.
- Use suitable bird food. Match the food to the birds and the time of year.
- Avoid adding unnecessarily large quantities. This reduces the chance of food remaining long enough to become wet or spoiled.
- Check the food regularly. Remove wet, mouldy, spoiled or heavily contaminated food.
- Keep the feeding station clean. Regularly remove food debris, droppings and other dirt.
What should I look for when buying a bird table or feeder?
When choosing a bird table or feeder, consider its size, installation method, accessibility for birds and how easily it can be refilled and cleaned.
Useful points to compare include:
- the dimensions of the feeding station;
- freestanding, hanging or mounted designs;
- the amount of space available for bird food;
- accessibility for visiting birds;
- ease of refilling;
- ease of cleaning;
- the material and any maintenance requirements.
The most suitable design depends on your garden, the space available and the way in which you want to feed wild birds.
Buy bird tables and feeders from Intergard
With a bird table or feeder for the garden, you can create a regular place where wild birds can find suitable supplementary food. Choose a design that suits your garden or outdoor space and consider its dimensions, positioning and maintenance requirements.
A feeding station is not exclusively a winter product. By adapting the food to the season and keeping the feeding area clean, you can provide supplementary food for garden birds at different times throughout the year.
Frequently asked questions about bird tables and feeders
What is a bird table?
A bird table is a dedicated feeding station where suitable food for wild birds can be offered. It is intended for feeding and should not be confused with a nest box.
What is the difference between a bird table and a bird feeder?
A bird table normally provides a feeding platform, while bird feeder is a broader term for products designed to hold or dispense bird food. Both can be used to provide supplementary food for garden birds.
Where is the best place to put a bird table?
Choose a location where birds can see their surroundings and move away quickly if they sense danger. Also consider potential predators such as cats.
How high should a bird table be?
There is no single ideal height for every bird table. A stable position, accessibility for birds and protection from potential predators are more important considerations.
What should I put on a bird table?
Offer suitable wild bird food appropriate to the birds visiting your garden and the time of year. Depending on the situation, this may include suitable seeds, grains or prepared wild bird food.
When should I feed garden birds?
Garden birds can be offered supplementary food at different times throughout the year. Their needs and suitable foods can change with the seasons.
Are bird tables only for winter?
No, a bird table can be used throughout the year. Adapt the food offered to the season and maintain good hygiene at the feeding station.
How often should I clean a bird table?
Check the bird table regularly and clean it whenever food debris, droppings or other dirt begins to accumulate. The required frequency depends on use and conditions.
Should wet bird food be left on the bird table?
Food that has remained wet, become heavily contaminated, spoiled or developed mould should be removed. Check the feeding area regularly.
Can I use a bird feeder on a balcony?
A suitable compact bird feeder may be used on a balcony if it can be positioned or secured safely. Consider the available space and try to prevent food debris from spreading to surrounding areas.