The feeders that perform best for these birds share one trait: small, secure perching or clinging points sized for a light-bodied bird rather than a large one. Suitable options include:
- Tube feeders, which chickadees use readily and which suit a variety of small songbirds
- Suet cages and suet feeders, a favourite of both chickadees and nuthatches
- Hopper feeders, which give birds an open platform and easy access to seed
- Mesh or "clingers only" feeders, purpose-built for small birds that grip rather than perch flat
The Chickadee Feeders collection groups these styles together for browsing by shape, mount type, and squirrel resistance.
Why do "clingers only" feeders suit these birds so well?
A "clingers only" feeder suits chickadees and nuthatches because its mesh or grid surface is sized for small birds and awkward for larger species to use. The Songbird Essentials Clingers Only Bird Feeder is built for this purpose: it attracts small birds including chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, and goldfinches, while discouraging larger birds such as starlings, grackles, and pigeons. The entire lid lifts off for filling and cleaning, and the feeder holds roughly 3.5 to 4 cups of seed, which is a large capacity for a feeder of this size. The full Clinger & Small Bird Feeders collection shows the range of options built around this same principle.
Is a squirrel-proof feeder necessary for chickadees and nuthatches?
A squirrel-proof feeder is not strictly required, but it protects the seed supply these birds depend on and keeps the feeder in better working order. The Squirrel Buster Mini Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder is an entry-level option in this category. A wire shroud around the seed ports drops down under the weight of a squirrel, closing off access, while smaller birds continue to feed normally. The Squirrel Proof Feeders collection includes several sizes and price points for households dealing with heavier squirrel traffic.
What should go inside the feeder?
Chickadees and nuthatches are best fed with sunflower hearts, suet, and peanuts. Suitable food choices include:
- Sunflower hearts, a shell-free option that chickadees take to quickly
- Suet cakes, which are especially preferred by woodpeckers, nuthatches, and chickadees
- Peanut-based suet or nuggets, another strong draw for the same group of birds
- Black oil sunflower seed, a basic seed most birds will eat
The Mill Creek Insect & Nut Suet Cake and the Mill Creek Peanut Premium Suet Cake are both made in Canada and formulated around this feeding pattern. For seed, the Black Oil Sunflower product page has bag size options, and the full Bird Food collection covers suet, seed, and mealworms in one place. Since the same suet mix also draws woodpeckers, the Woodpecker Feeders collection is worth a look for yards with mixed flocks.
Where should a suet feeder be placed for nuthatches?
A suet feeder for nuthatches should be placed on or near a tree trunk. Nuthatches and woodpeckers are most comfortable and feel safest from predators while on a trunk, so a suet holder mounted at or near trunk height helps birds stay and feed longer. The Nuthatch Suet Feeder, French Bronze is designed with a hanging loop that works well on a branch or hook near a trunk, and it is also built to resist squirrel access. The site's Birding Journey: Woodpeckers guide covers this same trunk-feeding behaviour in more detail.
Do chickadees and nuthatches use the same birdhouse too?
Yes, in addition to sharing feeder preferences, chickadees and nuthatches are known to use the same style of nest box. The Chickadee, Nuthatch and Downy Woodpecker Birdhouse and its hanging version are both built around this overlap, giving a yard that already has the right feeder a matching nesting option as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can one feeder attract both chickadees and nuthatches?
Yes. Both species are drawn to the same feeder types, including tube feeders, suet feeders, and "clingers only" mesh feeders, since both are small, agile birds that grip perches and mesh surfaces easily.
Do chickadees and nuthatches need a squirrel-proof feeder?
A squirrel-proof feeder is not mandatory, but it protects seed and suet supplies from squirrels, which otherwise compete for the same food these birds rely on. Feeders such as the Squirrel Buster Mini close off seed access under a squirrel's weight while remaining open to lighter birds.
What food attracts chickadees and nuthatches to a feeder?
Sunflower hearts, suet, and peanuts attract chickadees and nuthatches most reliably. Suet in particular is preferred by woodpeckers, nuthatches, and chickadees alike, making it one of the most dependable choices for a mixed feeder setup.
Where should a suet feeder for nuthatches be placed?
Near or on a tree trunk. Nuthatches feel safest and most comfortable feeding on a trunk, so mounting a suet feeder at or close to trunk height encourages longer, more frequent visits.
For a broader library of species-specific guides, the Learning Centre has additional feeding and identification articles.
