Seed trays, also known as seed catchers, are a great addition to bird feeders. They primarily can be attached to tube bird feeders, which is good because it is perhaps the most popular type of bird feeder. Seed trays are an economical way to prevent bird seed from being wasted. Bird seed can fall out of any feeder due to a variety of factors, including eager birds and bad weather. The first great reason to get a seed tray is to save money!
Another reason is to prevent a mess below your feeders. Seed trays prevent seeds, as well as shells that are discarded from birds, from piling up underneath your feeder. No matter if your bird feeder hangs over your porch, patio, or grass, no one wants to see a messy pile of seeds and shells. Plus, this pile can attract ground feeding animals to your yard. With a seed tray, unwanted animals are much less likely to find your bird feeders.
Lastly, many birds like to feed off of flat surfaces, as opposed to standing on perches. With a seed tray, you will be able to attract more species of birds to your backyard! Northern Cardinals do not like to stand on perches, which are usually features of the common tube bird feeders, but they will be eager to stand on the seed trays that are attached to these tube feeders. Large birds also are usually unable to balance on tiny perches, so they would also benefit from seed trays.
The Clever Clean Bird Feeder Tray 11 in., pictured to the right, is a large seed tray. It can be attached to any Onyx feeder with a simple snap. Then you will use a wing nut to ensure that the Clever Clean Bird Feeder Tray 11 in. will never fall off. If you do not have an Onyx feeder, you can get the Universal Seed Tray by Droll Yankees. This seed tray is a large 13 inches in diameter, which is sure to attract a variety of large birds. The Universal Seed Tray by Droll Yankees can be attached to any pole mounted feeders.
One of my favorite seed trays doubles as a squirrel guard. The Giant Seed Tray and Squirrel Guard can be mounted underneath any feeders that are on a pole. Not only will the Giant Seed Tray and Squirrel Guard catch any seeds and shells that fall from the feeder, but it will prevent any squirrels from climbing up onto the feeder.