3 best bird seeds

Bird seeds are essential items used in backyard birding and wildlife conservation efforts. They are specialized food products designed to attract and nourish a variety of wild bird species in outdoor settings, such as gardens, patios, and birdwatching areas. Here are some key points about bird seeds:

Purpose: Bird seeds serve the primary purpose of providing supplemental food for wild birds. By offering bird seed, bird enthusiasts can attract feathered visitors to their outdoor spaces, observe their behaviors, and contribute to the well-being of local bird populations.
Types of Bird Seeds: Bird seeds come in several varieties, each tailored to the dietary preferences of different bird species.Some common types of bird seeds include:
- Black Oil Sunflower Seeds: These seeds are a favorite among a wide range of birds, including cardinals, finches, chickadees, and woodpeckers.
- Safflower Seeds: Attract cardinals, nuthatches, and grosbeaks while often deterring squirrels.
- Nyjer (Thistle) Seeds: Preferred by finches, especially goldfinches.
- Mixed Bird Seed: These blends combine various seeds and grains to attract a diverse array of birds.
- Corn: Attracts larger birds like crows and pigeons.
- Peanuts: Popular among jays, woodpeckers, and certain other bird species.
- Mealworms: A favorite food for insect-eating birds like bluebirds and robins.
Feeder Types: Bird seeds are typically placed in various types of bird feeders, including hanging feeders, platform feeders, tube feeders, and suet feeders. The choice of feeder depends on the type of seed and the bird species you want to attract.
Seasonal Considerations: Different bird species may have varying feeding preferences throughout the year. Providing the right types of bird seed for each season can attract a broader variety of birds.
Wildlife Attraction: While bird seeds primarily attract birds, they can also draw other wildlife, such as squirrels, chipmunks, and raccoons. Some bird enthusiasts use squirrel-proof feeders or dedicated squirrel feeders to deter these animals.
Quality: High-quality bird seeds are crucial to effectively attract and nourish birds. Look for seeds that are fresh, clean, and free of mold or contamination.
Storage: Proper storage is essential to maintain the freshness of bird seeds. Keep them in a cool, dry place in a sealed container to prevent spoilage or infestation by pests.
Conservation Benefits: Providing bird seeds can support local bird populations, especially during the colder months when natural food sources may be scarce. It can also encourage migratory birds to visit your area.

In summary, bird seeds are specialized food products used in backyard birding and wildlife conservation efforts. They come in various types and are a popular choice for those interested in birdwatching and promoting bird conservation in their outdoor spaces.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best bird seeds on the market

Wagner's 13008 Deluxe Wild Bird Food, 10-Pound Bag, Basic

Wagner's

Based on 17 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Wagner’s Deluxe Wild Bird Food Blend with sunflower and general purpose seeds offers the backyard enthusiast a value plus moderately priced food that is the real deal! Deluxe Blend can be used in all types of feeders as well as being a great mix to attract those wonderful ground feeding birds. You’ll get all the regular customers like Cardinals, Chickadees and Finches as well as other indigenous backyard visitors. Trust your backyard birds to the experts at Wagner’s.

Attracts perching and ground birds
Contains sunflower and general purpose seeds
Moderately priced valued blend that gets the birds
Highest quality grains used
Made in the USA

User questions & answers

Question:	Can you store this outdoors? During a NY winter especially
Answer:	I live in southern New York and I store Wagner's Greatest Variety Blend in a metal garbage can with secure lid outdoors all winter long, and the seed is just fine. I tried the heavy duty plastic/rubber (?) garbage container but the raccoons and other critters eventually managed to chew through it.
Question:	Went to purchase again I paid $7.98, why is the price at $17.98 now for 10 pound bag
Answer:	I paid $6.84 for this, last week. Its close to $11 this week.
Question:	I have the concern regard the pink artificial colour that in the content, is it safe for feeding birds
Answer:	I question the necessity of dye in the bird seed too and am not sure of it's safety but we are getting large flocks of all kinds of small birds that are feeding on it heavily. It seems more popular with the birds than another brand that I've put out.
Question:	I paid $6.84 for this, last week. It's close to $11 this week. Why
Answer:	I have been buying this bird seed for several months now getting a shipment every 2-3 weeks and always have paid around $11. I did notice about a week or two ago the price was almost $17 and I refused to buy it then. Waited to the price dropped again before purchasing.

Product features

Wagner’s Deluxe Wild Bird Food

Food

Provide different types of food to attract more variety of birds. Sunflower is a great seed that many species love. Higher quality mixes attract more birds. Keep feeders full so birds will continue to visit.

Feeders

Provide a variety of feeders to attract the greatest variety of birds. Use hoppers and tube feeders for Sunflower and mixes. Use Finch feeders for Nyjer and Finch mixes. Platform feeders will accommodate ground feeding birds.

Water

Provide a shallow water source (2 inch-3 inch deep) so birds can bathe and drink. Water also attracts birds that feeding stations alone cannot, such as ones that feed on insects alone.

Location

Place feeders in locations already frequented by birds. Place by shrubs and/or trees to offer protection.

FAQ's

Make sure that your feeder is close to natural shelter such as trees and shrubs to provide protection for your birds, but be careful not to make it too convenient for squirrels. Also, place it in a location so that you can enjoy watching the activities of your feathered friends.

Should I feed the birds year-round?

Yes, birds need food year-round, so it is best to keep bird feeders full all year. Birds have a high metabolism and need to continually eat. Birds nest from late winter through late summer and during these months there is not an abundance of natural foods, so they need additional food for breeding and raising their young.

What is the best bird food?

Oil Sunflower Seed is one of the best seeds to have in a wild bird food mix. It is popular with a large number of species and is easy to feed in a variety of feeder styles. Wagner's blends provide a wide selection of seed choices that will attract a largest variety of birds to the backyard feeder. Wagner's has the mixes that will attract the species you want and will fit any budget.

Wagner's 62042 Songbird Supreme Blend Wild Bird Food, 8-Pound Bag

Wagner's

Based on 1 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Wagner's Songbird Supreme has more of what songbirds want. Songbird Supreme is our favorite blend because it contains more of what your songbirds crave. This blend includes high concentrations of tasty quality seeds preferred by the songbirds you want to see in your backyard. With 50% of the blend being black oil sunflower, striped sunflower and sunflower chips, your favorite birds will flock to the feeder. The peanut kernels, safflower seeds and white millet will assure that you can nurture and enjoy a wide variety of beautiful songbirds throughout the year. By adding only the best ingredients we have created a highly attractive and nutritious blend for backyard feeding. Trust your backyard birds to the experts at Wagner’s.

A blend of preferred seed to attract your favorite backyard songbirds
Contains 50% sunflower and other premium wild bird food ingredients
Can be fed in a tube, hopper, or platform feeders
Convenient reclosable slider
Made in the USA

User questions & answers

Question:	Does this blend contain milo
Answer:	I had some on the ground around the feeder and did see the mallards eating it.
Question:	is this bird food no mess, will it grow weeds in the lawn
Answer:	I do not have weeds under my tray feeder. However, I only put a handful of seeds in the tray feeder once a day. The birds usually eat all the seed - if seeds drop on the ground they are eaten by the birds.
Question:	Do black birds like songbird feed
Answer:	Covid19
Question:	always been happy with this product, but my last two bags have had twigs and corn in them. Have you changed the recipe to add filler
Answer:	Yes it is cleaned. However, we recommend that our seed is used for Wild Bird Feeding only and not pet birds.

Product features

Wagner’s Songbird Supreme Blend

Food

Feeders

Water

Provide a shallow water source (2 inch-3 inch deep) so birds can bathe and drink. Water also attracts birds that feeding stations alone cannot, such as ones that feed on insects alone.

Location

Place feeders in locations already frequented by birds. Place by shrubs and/or trees to offer protection.

FAQ's

Should I feed the birds year-round?

What is the best bird food?

Audubon Park 12241 Songbird Blend Wild Bird Food, 14-Pounds

Based on 476 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Audubon Park 12241 Songbird Blend Wild Bird Food, 14-Pounds. At Audubon Park, we love birds and care for them like no one else. Our family has been making the safest, highest quality food for backyard wildlife since 1982. We make it easy for you to attract and feed the birds you love. You can count on Audubon Park for safe, natural and nutritious wild bird food that keeps backyard birds coming back for more.

Bring a variety of colorful songbirds to your backyard with this popular blend
Attracts finches, nuthatches, sparrows, juncos, chickadees, cardinals and buntings
Premium blend; white proso millet, black oil sunflower seeds, cracked corn, safflower seeds, chipped sunflower seeds (shell-free), peanuts and striped sunflower seeds
For use in hopper, tube or platform feeders
Family owned, American made

User questions & answers

Question:	Is this good for red robins and blue Jays
Answer:	Blue jays will eat it. Robins don't eat bird seed. They like earthworms and dried worms and other ground insects. All other birds love it.
Question:	Is this pesticide-free
Answer:	of course
Question:	What does the mix contain by percentage
Answer:	Hello Mephitis, Thank you so much for reaching out to us! Unfortunately we cannot share our exact proprietary formula but our blend ingredient % are in the order of prevalence on the bag as stated in the ingredient statement. White Proso Millet, Black Oil Sunflower Seed, Cracked Corn, Safflower Seed, Chipped Sunflower Seed, Peanuts, Striped Sunflower Seed. Thank you, Audubon Park
Question:	Is this organic
Answer:	Unable to answer the question.