If you are a birding enthusiast and love inviting our beautiful feathered friends to your backyard to watch them fly, feed and interact with other birds, you’ve probably had a feeder or two. If not, you may be looking for one to invest in.
When you start to feed birds and leave out delicious and scrumptious food, more than just birds get a whiff and want to feast. Particularly if you use a tree to hand a simple feeder from, thinking “it will make the garden prettier”.
Raccoons and squirrels can be a problem, depending on your location. They are expert climbers and use the tree branches to climb onto your feeder so they can steal all the food you left for the birds. Without any protection against these thieves, not only does the food get eaten up, but the feeder itself can potentially get wrecked.
With that in mind, it is worth investing in a bird feeder pole, especially one that is designed to fend off other mammals and animals who are interested in stealing the bird’s food. If you are looking for the best of the best, why plod your way through hundreds of Amazon listings trying to figure out which is best?
We’ve put a guide together on the best poles, so all you need to do is pick your favourite. Beyond our highlights of the best products, we have also provided a buying guide to help you understand the key components and features you should be looking for.
Without further ado, let’s start.
Our 5 Recommended Bird Feeder Poles, Reviewed!
1. Yosager Premium Bird Feeding Station
(don't worry, button opens a new tab)
- Robust and durable iron frame with powder-coating finish
- Sturdy 5-prong base to keep the station in place, more reliable than 3-prong base options
- Easy to assemble and take apart
- All main components come apart so they can be easily washed
- All accessories, such as food and water features can be set to any position on the pole
First, from a company called Yosager we have this all-in-one bathing, watering and feeding station for all manner of garden birds. This is made from a very solid and reliable metallic frame that has a powder-coated finish that makes it look good while protecting it against the elements.
When we say all in one, we mean all in one as it has everything visiting birds could ever want or need, from a large seed and water dish to another large water tray and metallic suet feeder.
The whole thing is incredibly easy to put together, despite its busy and elaborate design, with screw-together poles. What’s more, each of the separate attachments and features can be height adjusted and locked into place at various points up and down the pole. We also love the addition of the twin hooks at the top of the pole for hanging your own larger bird feeders or solar lanterns.
It is kept erect and firmly in place in the ground by an effective 5-prong base, which is reportedly sturdier than the average feeder pole with a 3-prong base. All in all, for the relatively low price, you get an excellent station for feeding birds from.
2. Erva 5-Piece Feeder Pole Set with Twist-in Ground Socket
(don't worry, button opens a new tab)
- 5-piece set birding pole is easy to connect and assemble
- Comes with auger/twist-in ground base for a strong and stable foundation
- Made from high-quality steel with a powder-coated finish
- Black finish gives it a smart and slick appearance
- Stands 76-inches off the ground
To be clear before we go any further with the description, this is just for a pole. Unlike the product above, with this, you only get the poles. You need to invest in or make and install your own feeding stations and birdhouses on the pole. However, if you are looking for an elegant and reliable way to hang and display an eye-catching feeder from that will attract the birds you want to visit your garden, this is an awesome accessory to have.
It consists of five pieces, the mounting flange, straight pole, 2 swaged poles, and the special twist-in ground socket and offers a total of 76-inches of standing height above ground level. All these components fit together quickly and effortlessly together.
As you get hardware aids, Erva has made it very easy to attach your own choice of bird feeders, birdbaths, and birdhouses to the pole.
Made from steel with a powder coating finished baked on, it is not only incredibly sturdy but also weather, water, and corrosion-resistant.
Although it may not be the most extravagant or elaborate thing in the world, the black finish on the steel gives this birding pole a smart and slick elegance that makes it stand out.
3. Erva Super Tall Decorative Quad Hanger
(don't worry, button opens a new tab)
- 6-piece set that’s easy to put together and take apart
- The top hanging section allows space for 4 feeders, water baths, and trays or birdhouses
- Stands 98-inches high with bird feeders hanging at 92-inches high
- A smart and classy black powder-coated finish also protects it from the weather and corrosion
- Comes with Erva’s twist-in style auger to secure it into the ground firmly
We’re sticking with Erva for this next bird feeder pole. This so-called super tall decorative quad hanger is aptly named as it has a total height of 98-inches, with the hanging points having allowing feeders and other accessories to hang at 92-inches high.
Just like the model above, this 6-piece set can be assembled very easily with little to no hassle or fuss at all. It is made from steel and features the same black powder coating for a truly elegant finish. You get 3 separate pole parts, four-arm pole top, decorative iron basket, and the twist-in ground socket.
Again, this is hardly going to win prizes as being the most extravagant bird feeder pole. Sometimes, though, you don’t want a bird feeder that will steal the show away from the bird feeders, water trays and baths and birdhouses you may want to hang from it, or indeed, the birds themselves.
The most important thing is that this is easy to put together, durable, weather and corrosion-resistant and will look good in any kind of garden with any color scheme or theme.
4. ERYTLLY Bird Feeding Station Kit
(don't worry, button opens a new tab)
- Multi-function bird feeder pole with weatherproof and corrosion-resistant coating
- The 5-prong base for a sturdy foundation, unlikely to fall over
- 4 large hanging hooks at the top, two adjustable smaller hanging hooks, water bowl and mesh bowl
- Stands 93.9-inches above the ground
- Easy to assemble without the use of tools, fixtures can be hand-tightened
Moving to a different company now, we have another slick and black, bird feeding station, this time from ERYTLLY. Much like the Yosager model, this too comes with a 5-prong base that makes for a sturdier foundation in the ground.
This is a truly multi-functional piece for your garden if you are looking for a reliable and robust way to attract bird activity. It features 4 large hooks at the top for hanging larger, heavier and longer feeders from, along with two extra hooks that can be positioned at any point up and down the pole and are perfect for smaller feeders that could be used to attract starlings, woodpeckers, sparrows, robins, and hummingbirds. There is also a wire mesh for holding seed mixes, fruit, suet, nuggets and mealworms, and a plastic bowl for water.
The whole thing stands 93.9-inches above the ground and all the individual parts can be adjusted to suit. It’s so incredibly quick and easy to put together, you don’t even need any tools and can just tighten it by hand.
All in all, this is one towering beauty of a bird feeder pole, with a nice black finish, it is protected against the weather and resistant to rust and corrosion so is bound to give you years of use.
5. Squirrel Stopper Bronze Deluxe Squirrel Proof Pole System With Baffle
(don't worry, button opens a new tab)
- That ingenious squirrel baffle in the center that floats up and down and rocks from side to side
- 8 places to hang accessories from right at the top of the pole, out of any squirrel’s reach
- Easy to assemble parts, no tools required
- Easy to erect, thanks to the sturdy and reliable screw-in auger base
- Elegant black finish, which also protects against weather, rust, and corrosion
Of all the options on our list, this is probably our favorite, if we had to call it anyway. From Squirrel Stopper, the hugely popular and successful company behind the products of the same name comes this deluxe squirrel stopper bird feeding pole that does exactly what it says on the tin. It stops squirrels.
At the top of the pole, you have 8 places to hang various bird baths, bird feeders, birdhouses hanging plants, solar lanterns and so much more from. As is the case with all the other bird feeder poles we’ve featured in this post, it is incredibly easy to put together without the need for tools at all. You simply twist and lock each part into place, and it comes with an easy to twist into the ground auger-style base.
As well as making it easy to set up and erect this fine, if subtle feeder pole, it also gives it an exceptionally strong and sturdy foundation.
All the above is all well and good, but the star of the show and the things you’re probably most interested in is the baffle. The squirrel baffle has been built into the center of the pole and this floats up and down and rocks from side to side to prevent squirrels from grabbing on to it. Even if they do, they won’t stand much chance of getting past it.
Our Buying Guide
We hope we’ve made your life a little easier by highlighting our favorite and therefore, those we think are the best bird feeder poles available right now. Although we understand, if this is something you are completely new to and unfamiliar with, you may be left with more questions than answers.
That is why we put together the next section – a buying guide for bird feeder poles. We want to do all we can to help you find the best for your garden or yard so that you can enjoy the pleasure of watching birds fly around, feed, drink and bathe.
In this guide we will discuss the main considerations you need to make when buying a bird feeder pole, hopefully taking a lot of the confusion out of the process.
How Much Does it Cost?
Although we would always recommend that you avoid solely basing any buying decision you make on the price, it is still something you should consider. The cost can be highly reflective of quality, which is why you need to be cautious when looking at feeder poles that are significantly cheaper than others on the market.
While it’s true that it may be that you have just happened across an awesome deal, you need to ask yourself why one product is cheaper than the rest. It is almost always down to the fact that it lacks the high-quality materials or construction.
If you are just starting your birding journey, you may want to play it safe and only invest a little in your hobby. We would still advise against buying the cheapest bird feeder pole you can, though, as a mid-priced model or the most expensive one you can afford, will provide longer use and enjoyment. Once you are caught, hook line and sinker by the majesty of watching birds from the comfort of your own home, garden or yard, you will be glad you paid a little more.
What is Supporting it In the Ground?
One of the cheapest forms of bird feeder pole is the shepherd’s hook. While this is a straight-forward and inexpensive option, it is not very effective or sturdy. These are very easy to push over and don’t have a deep or firm enough grip on the soil.
What you really need to look out for is bird feeder poles with either an auger-style screw-in base or the multiple-prong option (both of which are featured in our list of products). The auger-style option features a screw-style component that makes for an extremely stable and reliable anchor for the pole. They often drive down as far as 18 to 24-inches into the ground and are very hard to budge once they are in place.
The multiple, 3, 4 and 5 prong options similarly dig deep into the ground and thanks to their stake design and the load-bearing effect of having multiple foundation points, makes bird feeder poles very sturdy.
Is It Sturdy And Durable?
As the bird feeder pole is the most important part of your feeding center for local birds, you must choose one that will put up with whatever weather your area deals with. As noted earlier, one of the main reasons why you should avoid inexpensive bird feeder poles is that they are cheap for a reason and tend to lean, bend and eventually break.
Especially if you mount large and heavier feeders onto them, that only get heavier once birds start flocking to eat.
- What material is the pole made from?
- How thick or wide is the pole?
- What is the maximum weight capacity of the pole?
- Is the pole weather, water and corrosion proof?
- What, if any, are the warranties and guarantees the company backs the product with?
- Are online reviews mostly positive or negative? What issues have customers had with the pole? Does it last as long as the description says it does?
- How Many Feeders and Other Accessories Can the Pole Accommodate?
Following on nicely from the above, another aspect you need to consider is how many bird feeders and other attractive features for your feathery friends can it accommodate. This will really come down to personal preference. As some people may prefer a 2-bird feeder set up and others a 4-bird feeder setup.
If you already have bird feeders, then find the pole that offers the amount of hanging space you need. If you are starting from scratch, although it’s very much, like we said, down to personal preference and taste, we would suggest investing in a feeder pole that can accommodate four feeders.
You may wonder why we see four as the magic number. Well, at BirdWatchingBuzz we know how addictive a hobby birding that can be once you get started you will want to keep expanding.
We are not for one moment suggesting you rush out and buy the most expensive, all bells and whistles included bird feeder pole. What we are suggesting is you buy one that will allow your hobby to grow.
By investing in a pole with space for four bird feeders, you can build on your collection. Buy one or two, to begin with, and as you progress, add more. Then you are not having to look at the best feeder poles yet again to find a bigger one.
Is It Squirrel Proof?
It really depends on what kind of pests you have in your local area. However, we can’t stress enough the importance of taking precautions if squirrels are active in your neck of the woods. Ask any backyard birder of their experiences with squirrels. They will probably tell you their woes dealing with these incredibly athletic, agile, smart, adaptable and daring little critters.
If you didn’t know it already, squirrels will do anything they can pretty much to get an easy meal.
Therefore, if you have squirrels in your yard, you need a bird feeder pole that is squirrel proof. Like the Squirrel Stopper model, we highlighted in the guide above, many bird feeders feature what is known as a baffle around the middle of the pole to stop squirrels from getting up to the feeders and houses.
You can also buy a baffle separately that can be attached to your bird feeder pole if it doesn’t have one already.
Don’t Overlook the Aesthetics
As the feeder pole you choose is going to be the centerpiece for all bird activity in our garden (hopefully anyway), and a piece of furniture/decoration for your yard that you are going to look at every day, it is vital you invest in something you think is attractive.
Yes, it has a practical role to fulfill and yet it must be sturdy, durable and reliable, but if it doesn’t look nice or fit in with the color scheme and theme of your outdoor area, why are you even considering it?
How Quick and Easy is the Feeder Pole to Put Together and Setup?
There is one thing you may have noticed if you were eagle-eyed enough when reading through the descriptions of the products we highlighted as the best feeder poles. All of them, without exception, are incredibly easy to assemble and then set up and erect. Most don’t even require tools and all the fixtures can be tightened by hand.
Why make things harder on yourself. Especially if you are not interested in DIY and just want a nice feature to use to attract as many of your favorite birds as possible. Look for a feeder pole that is easy to set up.
Summary
We hope that our guide to buying the best bird feeder pole has helped you out. Whether it has directed you to your next big investment for your birding hobby or just given you some of the necessary pointers you needed to understand this important accessory more.
It may feel as if we have introduced a whole host of other things you didn’t realize were important, you will be glad we did. Especially when you are sitting outside or from the comfort of your own home watching the various birds congregate around your bird feeder pole.
