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As a Georgia Master Naturalist, I’ve spent years cultivating my home landscape to attract and support wildlife. Two key parts of that process—installing habitat plants and building water features—provide the most important benefits for birds and animals. A third focus area, establishing feeding stations, gives me the satisfaction of actually seeing the critters as they enjoy an easy meal. Over time, I have tested more than 50 bird feeders as my needs have evolved, and some have succumbed to the elements (or squirrels) or simply didn’t work as well as I had hoped. The best bird feeders efficiently dispense bird food, protect it from spoilage and pests, and minimize spills and messes. They also offer a clear view of feeding birds. The WoodLink Heritage Farms squirrel-resistant bird feeder is a great example that I recently added to the mix.
WoodLink manufactures and markets a wide assortment of bird feeders, birdhouses, and other bird-related products. Its offerings include products made of naturally rot-resistant cedar, recycled plastic, glass, and metal. After more than 35 years in operation, it is one of the most trusted bird feeder makers in the United States. WoodLink bird feeders are available for purchase online and in stores across the country.
In this review, I will detail my experience testing the Heritage Farms squirrel-resistant feeder and why I think it is one of the best bird feeders for cardinals and other songbirds. But first, here’s a quick overview of the product.
WoodLink Heritage Farms Squirrel-Resistant Feeder: At a Glance
Rating: 4.8/5
SPECS
- Feeder type: Seed hopper
- Material: Powder-coated metal
- Mount type: Post-mount or hang
- Capacity: 9 pounds of seed
PROS
- Locking hopper with large seed capacity holds up to 9 pounds of birdseed
- Durable powder-coated steel material resists rust and damage
- Kit includes all hardware required for both hanging and pole mounting
- Seed saver baffle minimizes spillage and wasted seeds by birds as they feed
- 1-sided feeder port arrangement provides maximum visibility of birds
CONS
- Some squirrels may learn to bypass the critter-resistant features
- Heavy weight of the full feeder requires sturdy support; hanging may not be practical
Get the WoodLink bird feeder at:
What is the WoodLink Heritage Farms squirrel-resistant feeder?
WoodLink offers all kinds of bird feeders and birdhouses, including species-specific and general-use models. The Heritage Farms squirrel-resistant feeder is a hopper-style feeder that supports all kinds of seed-loving songbirds. This directional feeder, with perch and feeding ports only on the front side, holds about 9 pounds of birdseed.
The Heritage Farms feeder is made of powder-coated steel for extended weather protection. It includes a locking lid and weight-sensitive perch to help keep squirrels out. During a month of testing, I observed dozens of bird species feeding on the Heritage Farms feeder, including cardinals, jays, finches, sparrows, doves, chickadees, titmice, towhees, and others, but I did not see a squirrel breach it.
In recognition of its easy-to-use nature, durable construction, effective squirrel protections, and excellent visibility, our testing team named this model the best bird feeder for cardinals. It appealed to a much more diverse wild bird population in my neighborhood. Ahead, I’ll offer my observations and explain why this feeder deserves consideration as part of any bird feeding station.
Durable Squirrel-Resistant Construction
Some backyard birders are attracted to wooden feeders because of the natural materials. Others like the idea of buying recycled plastic because it is more weather-resistant than wood and reduces landfill waste. The WoodLink Heritage Farms feeder’s powder-coated steel construction is possibly even more weather-resistant than plastic since it is impervious to ultraviolet damage. Plus, it has the added benefit of being chew- and claw-resistant. Squirrels cannot damage the material.
The two key squirrel-proofing features, a latching lid and weight-sensitive perch, worked extremely well in my yard. The simple roof latch mechanism, made up of two tabs that the user squeezes together to release, held securely and allowed for one-handed operation. The adjustable counterbalance on the perch was factory installed at just the right point to enable larger songbirds like cardinals and blue jays to feed while closing feeder access to heavier squirrels.
Buyer’s Choice of Mounting Options
The feeder arrived fully assembled. It included both a hanger and a pole mounting bracket and pole. I opted for the pole mount system, so I had to install the pole mounting bracket with the four included screws, washers, and nuts, which took less than 5 minutes. Then, I installed the pole by digging a 12-inch-deep hole, inserting the PVC pole sleeve, and tamping soil around it firmly. I was able to insert the pole into the sleeve and place the feeder atop the pole. The total time for pole installation was about 15 minutes, but I could have spent a little more time to get the pole perfectly vertical. It slants a few degrees but holds the feeder with no problems.
Hanging the feeder requires the user to open a couple of knockouts on either side of the hopper, insert the ends of the wire hanger into the slots, and pin the hanger in place. All of the hardware is included. I did not try this method, but I can vouch for the sturdiness of the hardware. Due to the heavy weight of the filled feeder, I recommend using a heavy-duty shepherd’s hook for this feeder.
Easy to Fill
As I noted above, the top latch is easy to operate with one hand. Once released, the entire roof of the feeder hinges up and stands securely in place, still fastened at the front edge of the roof. The opening is large enough to easily load feed straight from the seed bag, or you can use a large scoop to get the job done fast.
If you can’t reach the top of the feeder, no problem. The pole mount socket is not fastened to the pole, so you can simply lift the feeder off the pole. Those who opt for hanger mounting have the same options—either fill it while it hangs or remove the feeder from the shepherd’s hook for filling. There is no need to remove the hanger loop.
Excellent Visibility
Bird feeders provide a welcome meal for wild birds that could use a little help, but I also want to see the birds that visit the feeder. Lots of feeders are designed for maximum bird count, which means they have openings on every side; birds that land and eat on the opposite side may go unseen or unidentified. One of my favorite things about the Heritage Farms feeder is that it only has feeding ports on one side. That means I can position the feeder ports for the best viewing and know that shy birds are not sneaking a meal unobserved.
Is the WoodLink Heritage Farms squirrel-resistant feeder worth the money?
At about $70, the WoodLink Heritage Farms feeder is neither the most expensive nor the cheapest bird feeder around. Its large size, durable construction, and effective squirrel-resistant features make it worth the price. Most comparably sized wooden and plastic bird feeders sell in the $40 to $60 price range, with little to no squirrel protection and moderate weatherproofing. Many popular squirrel-proof feeders made out of coated steel go for well over $100. For the price, you can confidently purchase this feeder and expect it to last many years.
Should you buy the WoodLink Heritage Farms squirrel-resistant feeder?
Make sure you know what type of bird feeder is best for your yard’s frequent fliers. If you are mostly interested in feeding hummingbirds, warblers, woodpeckers, bluebirds, or other birds that are less dependent on seeds, then this might not be your best choice. Some types of birds are only attracted to suet or nectar feeders, or they may prefer the openness of platform or fly-through bird feeders. Those birds will rarely, if ever, eat at a seed hopper. For that reason, it is a good idea to incorporate several types of bird feeders at bird-feeding stations.
Among the endless array of bird feeders, the WoodLink Heritage Farms feeder is more than just “one more bird feeder.” As a bird feeder for seed-eating songbirds, it is a value pick that offers a thoughtful combination of adaptability, ease of use, durability, and protection from squirrels. It’s also one of the best feeders around for the simple pleasure of watching birds. Backyard bird counters and bird photographers will especially appreciate that—I know I did.
Where to Buy the WoodLink Heritage Farms Squirrel-Resistant Feeder
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Meet the Tester
Mark Wolfe is a writer and product tester with an extensive background in the nursery and landscaping industry. He’s also a Georgia Master Naturalist. For more than 20 years he mowed, edged, planted, pruned, cultivated, irrigated, and renovated beautiful landscapes for a living while he turned his own yard into a wildlife oasis. Now he tests and writes reviews about the latest outdoor power equipment, hand tools, lawn care products, and other outdoor living goods.