The more you have to maintain and clean up the feeder area, the less you might enjoy it. Try to find a location that will require as little maintenance as possible. Another consideration when selecting a location is the amount of cover nearby. Birds like to feel safe when feeding. If the feeder is placed too close to thick cover where a neighborhood cat may hide and ambush the birds, the birds may be reluctant to feed.
Birds do, however, prefer some type of escape cover to retreat into when startled.
A nearby tree will suffice. Feeders placed in thick cover or too far out in the open will not be as attractive to birds as a well placed feeder. There are numerous types of feeders on the market, each one having a different purpose. Probably the most popular is the hopper type. These are generally available in two styles.