The Bird Feeder

Best bird seed selection. Pricey bird houses and feeders but they only carry the best. You can by cheaper versions but they break.

I’ve noticed a nice change over the last year or so — friendlier, more welcoming.

Sadly, after a few years of enjoying this store, I will not return.
The good:
This store is well stocked and has decent prices (not great prices, not terrible prices). Their prices are comparable to what can be found online, and are worth purchasing here if you are unable to find a place online to buy from without having to pay shipping.
The bad:
In the fall of 2013 I had stopped into the store to kill some time and find a window feeder to enjoy with my kids. The selection was ok, about 4 to choose from, I probably could have found a better price on any of them if I wanted to do the footwork, but they were in an acceptable range for me. The person working on the floor (I’m not sure if she is the owner, or an employee, but it is the same woman I have primarily seen there: about 5′ 6“ish, short blond hair, likely in her 60’s) was attentive, but the attention felt ‘accusatory’, as if I was bothering her or she felt like I was going to steal something. I let it go assuming that I was just misinterpreting the situation.
I asked a question about the efficacy of a particular squirrel baffle, the reply was sufficient, but short and completely uninspiring for my possible purchase of the item. I moved on, and again tried to ignore the lack of welcoming, and the poor quality customer service.
My visit frustration reached the third and final strike, crossing the line into ‘no longer ok’ when I asked for seed recommendations. I politely asked what blend would be good to attract the largest variety of birds in this area, the response was incredibly short, unhelpful, and covered in an attitude that distinctly said she did not want to help me with my annoying question (her response was somewhere along the line of «any of what is there will do»). I asked the price of safflower seed; being able to hear the eye roll in her response solidified that she did not deserve the sale, and the seed was left behind.
I should have left without buying anything, but I gave the ‘everyone has bad days’ grain of salt.
Now for the nail in the coffin
Today I again stopped in the store with a little time and money to kill. This time I was interested in a new platform feeder. I did not seem to be noticed when I entered the store, nor was I greeted, but these were not an issue for me; there were a couple people being checked out at the counter and the floor attendant was obviously busy.
I wandered the store looking at all the platform feeders, and I finally found one I liked (I think it was $ 70ish, but I can’t remember at the moment). I left it behind so I could wander the rest of the store without having to carry it with me. As I was just finishing up browsing (and adding about $ 350.00 of items to my mental shopping cart to be purchased when my tax money arrives), a man entered the store with a cell phone in hand, and soon appeared to type a quick text and turn his attention away from the phone and toward his shopping. No big deal as far as I could see. But, the attendant (the same as my previous experience) tells this man «No more photos please!», of course with the same grumpy air of ‘accusation’ that I had experienced before.
I was completely taken aback by this exchange! If this store is truly so afraid of the competition of other retailers (or the incredible ingenuity of their customers to take a picture and make it an item themselves), maybe they should look into ways to improve themselves and encourage customer loyalty some other way. Accusations do not encourage a customer to buy! (and they make people wonder why you are so worried that you have to go on the attack… are these items available for much less somewhere else?)
The man explained he had just sent a text. The woman rolled her eyes while walking away from him. I was very happy to see the man decide not to stand for that type of attack and leave. I was so astonished by the poor choice of the attendant that it took me a minute to comprehend the exchange and realize that I do not want to give my business to anyone who cannot bring themselves to respect their customers.
In conclusion:
Before the fall 2013 incident I had always found the store employees to be delightful, and more importantly, very helpful and encouraging in my new birding exploration; even going to far as giving great tips and birding group recommendations. Maybe, these previous wonderful experiences set my expectations to lofty; making my view of the store as more of a hobbyist haven of community, encouragement, and helpfulness, rather than the truth: a place of profit.
For full disclosure: I did not enter the store between the fall 2013 incident and today. To me, this was two bad visits in a row.
For the sake of a small local business, I hope my experiences have been just poor timing. I hope that this grumpy, non-​customer-​friendly woman does not sink the whole ship. I, however, will not be put in that position again!

The best store, super nice people, have shopped here for 20 years, have moved to SC and I will miss them dearly. Their products are top notch and their knowledge is un-​ending! A great place to shop for gifts as well, actually, the BEST place for shopping for gifts!
Love them dearly!

Went there today to buy seed. Had signs all over the place advertising a vet day sale. Said vets get 11% off Showed my retired I’d and asked for the discount. Was told «not for vets, only active duty military». I said I was a Vietnam vet and your signs say «vets day sale» was told I wasn’t qualified, only active duty. Active duty is not a vet… last dollar I spend there

I went to The Bird Feeder in hopes of buying a bird house that a pesky woodpecker would fall in love with, diverting its attention from our house. I asked one of the employees which house would work best for a downy woodpecker. He showed be a few of them and asked what I was trying to accomplish. When I told him, he told me that erecting a house wouldn’t work. He went into great detail about the different methods typically used to detract woodpeckers and the pitfalls that went along with each.
The only viable solution, in his opinion, was buying something his store didn’t sell. I followed his directions, which involved putting plexiglass over the bird’s chosen nesting area, and it worked. I was not only impressed by the effectiveness of his solution, but by the fact that he didn’t just pull a bird house off his shelf and having me pay for something that he didn’t believe would work. That type of knowledge and honesty is invaluable these days. I’ve since come back multiple times, this time to buy things.
I can’t really compare their prices with other stores because I haven’t shopped around. Even if they are a little more expensive, I don’t mind paying the extra money thanks to their customer service.

This store is FANTASTIC! The employees are extremely helpful and very knowledgeable about birds, birding and getting started with bird accessories. I was a regular in the store during the years I lived in Fairfax and Reston, VA (10) and they never steered me wrong. The selection is unique and very high quality! I stop in whenever I am back in the metro DC area visiting family and friends. This store is absolutely worth the trip.

I am in love with this store! I have been there three times now and have been helped by three different employees. Each of them was very knowledgable, friendly and ultimately gave me great advise. It is of note that at each of my visits other customers came into the store who were obvious «regulars» but the staff never made me feel less important in any way. Also, the other customers were friendly and seemed to enjoy sharing their own bird/​squirrel advise. As a new bird-​feeding enthusiast this was particularly fun.
The store has an amazing selection of high quality feeders, accessories, bird baths and feed. So now I have a great feeder, a beautiful birdbath and two adorable mobiles to go above my son’s cribs. Fabulous products! With service to back it up, they have made a loyal customer of me.

I stopped in to compair prices on seed and feeders, but felt a little ignored by the staff (owner?). I mentioned I used to by from 2 other stores, and she responded with «well this is a family owned business, the others are franchises». Since that is partially true, I corrected her that the other was also family owned, but it was a franchise. She really did not have anything good to say about the other places.
However, their prices on seed ARE decent, and feeders are about 10−15% «cheep“er than Wild Bird Center — but WBC gives you $ 50 in seed credit coupons. So, $ 10 off or $ 50 back in $ 5 coupons per bag… I guess it comes down to are their bags of seed $ 5 total cheaper per bag. I think they are.
Also, I liked they had more decorative things, fountains, baths, feeders, and what not. However the store was so cluttered it was hard to move around and see everything easily. Kinda squishy in there. But I understand they want their product out.
Pros: Seed prices, Feeder prices, Family owned, other goodies not carried by other companies.
Cons: Elitist attitude (seemed bothered that anyone would ever compair them to someone else, or price check), cluttered store, hard to look around at everything. Fountain prices high.

If you love birds and want to support a charming local business, this store is the place to go in Reston. The people are knowledgable and friendly. I’ve purchased several feeders from them, all of which have been of very high quality. I love going in here. The store also sells seed, accessories, etc.

This is a great little store. The employees are very friendly and helpful. One time got into a conversation about a bird at my feeder and I couldn’t identify, the employee (might be the owner) brought me over to the book section and helped me to identify the bird. You will never find that level of service at Petsmart.

I love The Bird Feeder in Reston! I purchased three different bird feeders here and they are all high quality. The staff is very helpful and made sure I went home with the right products. I also shop here regularly for bird seed and have found them to be very reasonably priced.
I recently received a bird bath from the Bird Feeder as a gift and had some problems with paint chipping. They were wonderful and allowed me to exchange it without any problems.
They also have great information about local bird walks, very cute garden decorations, and many reference books.

Large selection of birdfeeders, seed, etc. Located in the same parking lot as Home Depot.