Platform or tray feeders have an open tray on which the food is placed. This type of feeder can hold virtually any type of feed for your birds, and can vary widely in size and capacity. They can hang alone, be placed below a tube feeder, or attach to a pole or post. This type of feeder offers little protection against squirrels or the elements, but do allow the widest amount of birds to feed.

Cardinals using Platform Feeder at Natural Gardens
Cardinals using Platform Feeder at Natural Gardens
Platform feeders have the advantage of being easy to clean, and they tend to attract a diversity of bird species. Their open construction makes viewing birds from all sides easy. Platform feeders can also be placed close to the ground to attract many ground-feeding birds.
 
Platform Feeders at Natural Gardens
Platform Feeders at Natural Gardens

The Platform Feeder Comes in a Variety of Styles for Easy Placement

The flat tray or platform feeder can be pole-mounted, window-mounted or hung in a myriad of locations. Usually, a more isolated spot among some evergreen is ideal. 

Clean-up is Simple

The bird feeder provides easy cleaning. Simply brush off the debris and spray with a diluted mixture of bleach and water before rinsing. 

Integrates Well in a Bird Feeding Station

A platform feeder can be used in a bird feeding station under such feeders as hopper feeders and tube feeders to catch the hulls of seeds, thus providing a cleaner bird feeding area. The feeder also accommodates birds that are not partial to the other feeder styles. Therefore, it works well as a complementary feeder in a bird feeding area. 

Grosbeaks at Platform Feeders at Natural Gardens
Grosbeaks at Platform Feeders at Natural Gardens