Droll Yankees has made bird feeders since 1969, starting with the first tube feeder ever sold. Today’s Yankee feeders use weight-activated perches that fold, tip or spin the moment a gray squirrel climbs on, and the birds keep eating.
There’s no spray or cage involved. Each Yankee feeder turns the squirrel’s own weight against it, and each model goes about it a little differently.
Perches and trays are calibrated to hold a songbird and give way under a gray squirrel, closing off the seed. They reset on their own.
The length and girth of the tube stop a squirrel hanging from the top from stretching down to the ports.
The heavy, snug metal cap only comes off in human hands. It’s the spot cheaper feeders usually fail first.
UV-stabilized polycarbonate tubes resist yellowing, and powder-coated metal parts hold their color through sun, rain and snow.
Four squirrel-proof Yankee models, plus a window feeder for close-up viewing and a six-port tube for finches.
The one with the motor. When a squirrel’s weight lands on the perch ring, it spins and tosses the squirrel off without hurting it. Runs on a rechargeable battery.
Four curved perches give larger birds like cardinals a comfortable spot to feed, and fold under a squirrel. Metal parts are powder-coated evening blue.
Straight, weight-sensitive perches sized for chickadees, titmice and other small songbirds. A rich burgundy cap and base, and a stainless steel hanging loop that cuts down on swinging.
A wide feeding tray that tips down under a gray squirrel. Cardinals and other birds that prefer to stand rather than cling love it, and the tray catches dropped seed.
A clear feeder that sticks to the outside of your window with suction cups. Good for kids, and for apartments with no yard to hang a feeder in.
Six ports and perches let a whole flock of goldfinches feed at once. An internal baffle feeds seed to a bottom port, so the tube empties completely instead of leaving stale seed behind.
All four hold 5 lb of seed and stop gray squirrels. The difference is how they do it and which birds feel at home.
| Flipper | Whipper | Dipper | Tipper | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stops squirrels by | Spinning the perch ring | Folding the curved perches | Folding the straight perches | Tipping the tray |
| Best for | Yards with persistent squirrels, and great entertainment | Cardinals and mid-size songbirds | Chickadees, titmice, small songbirds | Cardinals and birds that like to stand |
| Power | Rechargeable battery | None | None | None |
| Color | Green | Evening blue | Burgundy | Midnight black |
| Capacity | 5 lb | 5 lb | 5 lb | 5 lb |
| Model | YF-M | YCPW-180-M | YCPD-90M | YCPT-360-M |
Pick a bird and we’ll point you to the feeder that suits it best.
When one part wears out, you can usually replace just that part.
Hang up to three feeders from one pole and build a small feeding station.
Check price →A fresh lithium-ion battery for the Yankee Flipper when the old one stops holding a charge.
Check price →Plugs into a standard US outlet to recharge the Flipper’s battery between seasons.
Check price →Head to head on squirrel-proofing, upkeep and which birds each one draws.
Read the guide →The mechanics behind the perches, trays and spinning ring, and which to buy.
Read the guide →Match the feeder to the birds you actually want in your yard.
Read the guide →Placement that brings more birds and keeps squirrels from jumping on.
Read the guide →A step-by-step routine that keeps seed fresh and birds healthy.
Read the guide →How they stack up on price and build quality.
Read the guide →How one tube feeder in 1969 changed backyard bird feeding.
Read the guide →In 1969, naturalist Peter Kilham was tired of feeders that squirrels chewed through and weather wore out in a season. So he designed his own: a clear tube with metal ports, the A-6F. It was the first tube feeder sold commercially, and the shape is now so common most people don’t realize someone had to invent it.
The idea hasn’t changed much since then: a feeder should last for years outdoors and keep the seed for the birds. It’s the reason the Yankee squirrel-proof line carries a lifetime warranty against squirrel damage.
Read the full history
[Review 1 text]
[Review 2 text]
[Review 3 text]
Something else? Use the contact form at the bottom of the page.
Yankee squirrel-proof feeders are backed by a lifetime warranty against squirrel damage. Get in touch with your model number and a photo of the damage, and we’ll sort out a repair or replacement part.
The perch ring is calibrated for the weight of a gray squirrel, and the sensitivity can’t be adjusted. Red squirrels are usually too light to trigger it. Hang the feeder well away from branches, fences and rooflines they can jump from.
No, it isn’t built to mount from the bottom. Hang it from its top wire on a shepherd’s hook, a pole with a hanging arm, or a sturdy branch.
Remove the base to reach the charging port, connect the AC charger, and plug it into a standard outlet. If your Flipper is an older model, check whether it needs the replacement battery and matching charger.
Empty the tube, take off the base, and scrub with warm soapy water and a bottle brush. A diluted vinegar soak handles stubborn residue. Rinse well and let everything dry completely before refilling, since damp seed spoils fast.
Black oil sunflower seed is the safe choice for the Yankee feeders and attracts the widest range of birds. For the 6-port finch feeder, use a fine seed like Nyjer that suits its ports.
A short email when a new feeder comes out, and a reminder when it’s time to switch seed for the season.