Wild Wings Cedar Hanging Tray Feeder
Price on Amazon- capacity: 12 cups (Bob Vila)
- material: cedar
- floor: removable mesh seed tray
- Open tray for cardinals and mixed flocks
Tray feeder
Platform and tray bird feeders
Cardinals, doves, juncos and sparrows feed on flat surfaces. A tray with good drainage brings the birds that ignore tube feeders.
How we compared: manufacturer specifications and maker prices (30 Sep 2026), plus the placement and safety guidance of Audubon, the RSPB and other sources linked below. We have not tested these products ourselves.
Quick picks
Picks by what matters to you
Birds Choice Fly-Thru Feeder, Large
Price on Amazon- dimensions (in): 19 x 15.75 x 13
- weight (lb): 12
- material: recycled poly lumber, powder-coated steel brackets
- Covered platform for big mixed flocks; keeps seed drier than open trays
Birds Choice Medium Fly-Thru Feeder, Recycled
Price on Amazon- dimensions (in): 17.5 x 12.75 x 10.5
- weight (lb): 8
- material: recycled poly lumber
- Smaller covered platform for a single pole
Birds Choice Hanging Tray Feeder, Large
Price on Amazon- dimensions (in): 15.25 x 12.25 x 2.625
- weight (lb): 2.5
- material: recycled poly lumber
- Hanging tray under a baffle for cardinals, jays, doves
Birds Choice Seed Catcher Open Platform Feeder
Price on Amazon- floor: 2 removable powder-coated screens
- mount: 1 in pole with flange #1202 or legs #SNLS
- use: under a hopper to catch hulls or stand-alone
- Pole setups that need to catch spilled seed
JCS Wildlife Large Ground Fly Thru Bird Feeder
Price on Amazon- capacity: about 8 cups
- dimensions (in): 17 H x 12 D x 19 W
- material: recycled poly lumber
- Covered ground feeding for juncos, doves and towhees
Specs
11 models side by side
| Model | Price | Type | Key specs | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nature's Way Bird Products Cedar Platform Tray Feeder | – | platform, hanging tray | capacity: 12 cups (Bob Vila); material: cedar; floor: removable mesh seed tray | Open tray for cardinals and mixed flocks |
| Birds Choice Fly-Thru Feeder, Large | see Amazon | fly-through, pole/post or ground | dimensions (in): 19 x 15.75 x 13; weight (lb): 12; material: recycled poly lumber, powder-coated steel brackets | Covered platform for big mixed flocks; keeps seed drier than open trays |
| Birds Choice Medium Fly-Thru Feeder, Recycled | see Amazon | fly-through, pole | dimensions (in): 17.5 x 12.75 x 10.5; weight (lb): 8; material: recycled poly lumber | Smaller covered platform for a single pole |
| Birds Choice Hanging Tray Feeder, Large | see Amazon | platform, hanging | dimensions (in): 15.25 x 12.25 x 2.625; weight (lb): 2.5; material: recycled poly lumber | Hanging tray under a baffle for cardinals, jays, doves |
| Birds Choice Seed Catcher Open Platform Feeder | see Amazon | platform, pole mount / seed catcher | floor: 2 removable powder-coated screens; mount: 1 in pole with flange #1202 or legs #SNLS; use: under a hopper to catch hulls or stand-alone | Pole setups that need to catch spilled seed |
| JCS Wildlife Large Ground Fly Thru Bird Feeder | see Amazon | ground, covered fly-through | capacity: about 8 cups; dimensions (in): 17 H x 12 D x 19 W; material: recycled poly lumber | Covered ground feeding for juncos, doves and towhees |
| JCS Wildlife Removable Tray Platform Ground Bird Feeder | see Amazon | ground, open tray | material: recycled poly lumber; floor: removable tray; sizes: medium and large | Simple open ground tray |
| JCS Wildlife Large Poly Lumber Hanging Platform Feeder | see Amazon | platform, hanging | capacity: about 8 cups; load tested (lb): 35; hanging: four 17 in chains, aluminum S-hook | Hanging tray with a published load rating |
| Duncraft Eco-Strong Ground Platform Feeder | see Amazon | ground, open tray | dimensions (in): 13.25 x 13.25 x 5; floor: metal mesh; material: recycled plastic, four legs | Low-cost ground platform that lifts seed off wet soil |
| WoodLink (Panacea) Platform Feeder | see Amazon | platform with roof, pole mount | dimensions (in): 14 x 9 x 12; material: cedar, wrought-iron roof supports; floor: powder-coated mesh screen | Roofed platform for seed, suet, mealworms or fruit |
| Kettle Moraine Woodworking Cedar Tray Feeder | see Amazon | platform, hanging tray | dimensions (in): 11.5 square, 2.25 sides, 14 drop; floor: perforated aluminum; material: solid cedar, stainless screws, galvanized chains | Cheapest cedar hanging tray; maker suggests a baffle on the hook |
Manufacturer data and maker prices (30 Sep 2026); Amazon prices are not shown. “–” = not stated.
Buying criteria
What matters when you buy
- Screen-bottomed trays a few inches off the ground keep seed and droppings apart (Audubon guide to bird feeders). (Audubon)
- Ground feeders attract doves, juncos, sparrows, towhees, goldfinches and cardinals; avoid them where cats can pounce from nearby shrubs (Audubon). (Audubon)
- Look for mesh or holes in the floor so rain and snow drain and seed does not spoil (Birds & Blooms, search snippet). (Birds & Blooms)
- Covered fly-through designs add a roof over the tray; Birds Choice SNFT-300 can go on a 1 in pole or on legs. (birdschoice.com)
- Clean feeders at least twice a year (spring and fall), more often in humid summers (Audubon). (Audubon)
Questions
Platform and tray bird feeders: questions
Which birds use platform feeders?
Cardinals, doves, juncos, sparrows, towhees, jays and, with fruit or mealworms, robins and bluebirds.
How do I keep a tray feeder clean?
Choose a mesh or perforated bottom that drains, put out only what is eaten in a day and clear old seed after rain.
Are platform feeders good for cameras?
Yes – birds sit still facing the lens. Most camera feeders have a tray; for ground feeders place the camera low near cover.