Window Bird Feeder: Health Benefits of Up

Breakthroughs in technology give you a front-row seat on your fine feathered friends

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Watching joyful chirpers flit around outside our window isn’t just a pleasant pastime, it works wonders for our mind, body and spirit. In fact, bird watching has been proven to decrease levels of the stress hormone cortisol, triggering a cascade of benefits, from slashing blood pressure to helping us feel more relaxed and mindful. And the newest trend in bird watching — a hobby that improves people’s mental wellbeing for up to eight hours, according to study published in Scientific Reports — is to use a window bird feeder that attaches directly to the pane or sill. This entices curious winged visitors to come even closer, which in turn allows us to see more detail and amplifies all the calming and feel-good benefits.

“One thing that really helps your mental health is getting outside of your own thoughts, away from trying to solve problems and just being in the moment — a window bird feeder can help with that because you can really watch their behavior up close,” confirms Joan E. Strassmann, PhD, the Charles Rebstock Professor of Biology at Washington University in St. Louis, and author of Slow Birding: The Art and Science of Enjoying the Birds in Your Own Backyard. “I love spotting the details, like the baby down on a young blue jay or the shiny feathers on an adult grackle. When I first started bird watching, I didn’t see these things.”

The more time you spend gazing at birds in your feeder, she explains, the more you’ll notice about them, heightening your sense of peace and joy.

Strassmann adds that the “dramas” right outside her window — everything from fierce hummingbirds vying for a spot at the feeder to weary adult birds trying to nudge their youngsters to fend for themselves (something human parents may relate to!) — is endlessly entertaining. “It’s like having the Serengeti outside your kitchen, but you don’t have to go anywhere to appreciate it — it’s all local, right in front of you, just inches away,” she smiles. “I have suet, hummingbird and sunflower feeders, and when I’m stressed, I just look out the window and feel more relaxed.”

Another benefit to enticing birds to get up-close-and-personal with a window bird feeder is that it’s easier to hear them sing. Indeed, research reveals that simply listening to birdsong reduces anxiety improves our sense of wellbeing.

This “stationary safari” is a simple yet beautiful way to connect with nature on a deeper level, adds Suzanne Degges-White, PhD, professor and chair of the Counseling and Higher Education department at Northern Illinois University. “When I watch birds line up behind each other at the ‘snack bar’ outside on my window bird feeder, I know I’m actively nurturing another creature.”

Research shows such inter-species generosity – doing something kind for an animal – is so good for us, it even curbs levels of the sleep-sapping neurotransmitter epinephrine, helping us get the restorative sleep we deserve.

Bird watching isn’t just good for your mental health and physical health – it can also lift your spirits during the most challenging time of your life, something avid birder Holly Merker, author of Ornitherapy: For Your Mind, Body and Soul knows, as she credits it with helping her beat breast cancer.

“I truly believe that watching birds played a significant role in saving my life, working in concert with the traditional treatments I received,” she says. “During this rough chapter of my life, watching birds allowed me to turn my attention away from myself, find awe in the ‘simple,’ and clear my mind. After losing my hair from chemo, I wasn’t sure what to do with it, so I offered it to the birds by putting it in a hanging feeder outside my kitchen window.

“I found so much hope in watching a titmouse carry strands away as nesting material, repurposing it for new life, and changing my perspective of that personal loss in a positive way,” Holly says. No need for fancy binoculars or a camera, she assures. “You’re already equipped with all you need: eyes, ears and a curious mind.”

Ready to reap the benefits of bird-watching therapy? Just read on for a few window bird feeders we think you and your feathered guests will love!

Buy from Amazon, $27.95

The super-strong suction cups on this window bird feeder make for safe and entertaining up-close viewing for you — and any curious cats in the house. We also love that it’s assembly-free, so we can just fill it up, sit back and enjoy the show!

Buy from Amazon, $10.80

The bold bright colors of this hummingbird feeder catch the eye of the zippy little birds and with three wells to drink from and built-in perches, they are sure to stay a while. The deep bowl also keeps bees and wasps from drinking the nectar but is perfect for visiting hummingbirds.

Buy from Amazon, $15.99

Get ready to enjoy a flash mob of hungry chirpers! This copper-hued metal feeder will hold up against the elements and won’t rust.

Buy from Amazon, $12.99

We’re smitten with this adorable DIY window bird feeder for the little ones in our life. You and kids 5 years and up will have a ball building and painting it. It comes with 4 paint pots, so get your brushes out and start making memories.

Buy from Amazon, $16.75

Highfliers need high-calorie suet to get them through harsh winters when food is scarce. Not only is it easy to refill and clean this seed-cake feeder, but it also offers a thoughtful tail prop (or feather rest?) for long-tailed birds like woodpeckers to help support them while they enjoy their meal! (Bonus: You can fill the all-season feeder with bread or nesting material in the summer)

Buy from Amazon, $29.97

Shinning rainbow colors from different angles attracts more birds, plus gives a fun pop of color to your window. Plus strong suction cups help anchor the feeder so that the birds feel more stable and will stay longer.

Buy from Amazon, $29.89

Small songbirds — like chickadees, titmice, sparrows and goldfinches — will flock to this feeder designed with 3 petite perches, perfect for their slender frames. The generous seed capacity means less refilling and the sturdy design ensures years of bird-watching joy. It also offers a “drinking sink” at the top, which helps birds find fresh water, especially in the winter when water sources are often frozen.

Buy from Amazon, $84.97

Experience the pleasure of bird watching right inside your home. The customized feeder actually sits inside the window so the birds must come into your space to eat, giving you a better view.

Buy from Amazon, $189.99

The rise of artificial intelligence may be scary, but it’s good for one thing at least: snapping photos of your feathered friends. This AI-powered feeder sends you a message on your smartphone when a bird stops by, identifies the species, takes a pic and even organizes the images for you.

Buy from Amazon, $22.99

Attention all urban bird lovers! If you can’t easily get a feeder on your window (think second-floor apartment) this versatile feeder easily and securely attaches to balcony railings. The rotatable design lets you adjust it to fit tight spaces, and the dual trays ensure migrating birds can recharge with a much-needed snack and sip.

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