What are the Best Foods to Feed Wild Birds?

What are the Best Foods to Feed Wild Birds?  A Guide for Bird Lovers

Feeding wild birds in your garden is a wonderful way to connect with nature, especially here, in the UK, where the variety of bird species is impressive. To attract and nourish these birds, it’s essential to offer the right types of food. Here’s a guide to the best foods to feed wild birds, ensuring that you provide them with the nutrition they need throughout the year.

1. Sunflower Seeds

Sunflower seeds are a favourite among many bird species, including finches, sparrows, and tits. They are high in fat and provide essential energy, particularly during the colder months.

2. Peanuts

Peanuts are another excellent source of fat and protein, making them ideal for feeding birds all year round. Ensure they are unsalted and unroasted. They can be offered whole in wire mesh feeders, which allows birds like blue tits, woodpeckers, and great tits to peck at them safely. During spring and summer, it’s best to offer peanuts in smaller, crumbled pieces to avoid the risk of young birds choking. We have Jumbo, standard and peanut granules to choose from.

3. Nyjer Seeds

Nyjer seeds, are tiny, nutrient-rich seeds that are particularly favoured by goldfinches, siskins, and other finches. Due to their small size, it’s always best to offer them in a specialized feeder with small holes, which prevents the seeds from spilling out and going to waste.

4. Mealworms

Mealworms are a fantastic source of protein and are especially beneficial during the breeding season when birds need extra nourishment to feed their chicks. Robins, blackbirds, and blue tits are particularly fond of mealworms. You can offer them live, dried, or rehydrated. If you’re using dried mealworms, soaking them in water for a few minutes before serving can make them more appealing and easier to digest. They are also less likely to get blown away by the wind if you are feeding them from a ground feeder.

5. Fat Balls and Suet

Fat balls and suet are excellent high-energy foods, particularly during the winter when birds need extra calories to stay warm. We have suet in balls, blocks, logs and pellets.

6. Mixed Bird Seed

Mixed bird seed blends are a versatile option, catering to a wide range of species. Look for our high-quality mixes that include a variety of seeds such as sunflower hearts, millet, and cracked corn. It is sometimes best to avoid cheaper mixes that contain a high proportion of filler ingredients like wheat, which may attract less desirable birds like pigeons and can leave a lot of waste. If you’re unsure of what mix to go for its best to buy a small bag of 2.5kg and see how you go and what the birds like best!

7. Fruit

Offering fruit is a great way to attract species like blackbirds, thrushes, and starlings. Apples, pears, and berries are particularly popular. Cut the fruit into manageable pieces and place them on a bird table or scatter them on the ground. During the winter, dried fruits like raisins or sultanas can also be offered, but it’s important to soak them in water first to make them easier to digest. Don’t forget that raisins are poisonous to dogs so it’s best to steer clear if you have a greedy dog in your harden too!

8. Bread (with Caution)

While many people offer bread to birds, it should be done very sparingly. Bread has little nutritional value and can fill birds up without providing the energy that they need. If you do offer bread, make sure it’s in small quantities and preferably whole grain. Avoid mouldy bread, as it can be harmful to birds.