Like many, I am completely charmed by the birds that visit my backyard. There’s something incredibly joyful about watching them flutter around and enthusiastically devour the offerings at my feeders. Knowing I’m providing a little help to these wild creatures is a truly rewarding feeling. However, my bird-feeding enthusiasm took a turn when I noticed my feathered friends started turning their beaks up at some of the birdseed and suet I was providing. It happened more than once, and I had to ask myself: What exactly was I feeding these backyard birds?
My quest for answers led me down a rabbit hole of research, and the truth wasn’t pretty. I discovered I had been unintentionally serving my birds “junk food.” The eye-opening realization? Not all Bird Food is created equal. In fact, truly good bird food can be surprisingly difficult to find.
Quick Overview: Top Bird Food Picks
- Lyric Supreme Wild Bird Mix, 20 lbs – A premium mix with high-oil content and diverse seeds.
- Kaytee Black-Oil Sunflower Seed, 5 lbs – Excellent single-seed option, loved by many bird species.
- Lyric High-Protein Seed Cakes for Wild Birds, Pack of 12 – High-protein suet cakes perfect for colder months.
- Lyric Woodpecker No Waste Mix, 5 lbs – A gourmet mix designed to attract woodpeckers and minimize waste.
It turns out that much of the bird food available, particularly in big-box stores, isn’t just a poor value; some of it can actually be detrimental to the birds we’re trying to help. Let’s dive into what to avoid and, more importantly, what to choose instead to ensure you’re offering the best bird food for your backyard visitors.
What are the Ingredients in Bad Bird Food?
Often, inexpensive or mid-range bird food, the kind you’ll find lining the shelves of big-box retailers, is packed with low-quality ingredients. These aren’t just unappealing to birds; they can actually be harmful to their health. The prevalence of poor bird food is quite alarming. On a recent trip to the bird food aisle of a major hardware store, I was shocked to find that none of the suet products were worth purchasing. Here’s a breakdown of what to watch out for – and what bird food ingredients to avoid completely.
1. Corn: A Cheap Filler that Favors Squirrels and Doves
Corn is a ubiquitous ingredient in budget-friendly bird food mixes, but it’s far from an ideal nutritional source for most wild birds. While larger birds like pigeons and doves (ground feeders) will readily consume corn, many of the smaller songbirds that backyard bird enthusiasts hope to attract will simply ignore it. Furthermore, corn can draw unwanted attention from squirrels, raccoons, and even rodents, which can quickly dominate your feeders and scare away the birds you intended to feed.
A vibrant Northern Cardinal, a common backyard bird, perched on a branch. Choosing the right bird food helps attract beautiful birds like this to your yard.
Even more concerning is the potential for corn in bird food to harbor harmful fungi. Moldy corn can contain aflatoxins, highly toxic substances produced by certain molds. Aflatoxins pose a serious risk to birds, potentially leading to illness or even death. Adding to the problem, the inexpensive corn often used in big-box store bird food is frequently of inferior quality and may have been stored for extended periods, increasing the likelihood of fungal contamination. For the health of your birds, it’s best to pass on bird food heavy in corn.
2. Red Milo: A Budget Filler with Little Nutritional Value
Red milo, also known as sorghum, is another prevalent filler in low-cost bird food blends. Unfortunately, most birds simply don’t enjoy it. Research has indicated that many common backyard birds, including sparrows, finches, and cardinals, will actively avoid red milo if they have other options. So, why is it included in bird food at all? The answer is purely economic: it’s cheap.
Red milo serves as a low-cost way to add bulk to bird food bags, creating the illusion that you’re getting more for your money. However, the reality is that most of this filler will end up uneaten on the ground, where it can attract unwanted pests or even begin to mold. This makes it a waste of money and a potential environmental issue in your backyard. Purchasing cheap bird food filled with red milo is not a cost-saving strategy in the long run.
3. Millet: A Filler That’s Not a Bird Favorite
Millet presents a somewhat mixed situation. While some birds, such as sparrows and juncos, do consume millet, it’s not a preferred food for many of the more sought-after bird species that backyard birders aim to attract, like chickadees, nuthatches, and grosbeaks. In many mass-market bird food mixes, millet is often used as a filler alongside other low-grade ingredients such as corn, oats, and red milo.
A Savannah sparrow perched amongst foliage. While some sparrows eat millet, it’s not a favorite for many backyard birds and is often used as a filler in cheap bird food.
The issue with millet is that it frequently gets scattered onto the ground, where it can become moldy or attract rodents and insects. While a small quantity of millet in a high-quality bird food mix might be acceptable, it should never constitute the majority of the seed. Carefully examine the ingredient list of any bird food mix you’re considering if it contains millet.
4. Artificial Ingredients: A Major Warning Sign
Another significant red flag in mass-produced bird food products is the inclusion of artificial ingredients like “berry flavoring” or unnecessary preservatives. While these additions might seem designed to enhance the product’s appeal, they offer absolutely no nutritional benefit to birds. Artificial dyes and flavorings can even be harmful to birds, as they are clearly not part of their natural diet.
Wild birds rely on specific nutrients found in their natural food sources, such as seeds, nuts, and fruits. When they consume bird food loaded with artificial additives, they may be ingesting substances that are difficult for them to digest or that could disrupt their natural foraging behaviors. It’s always best to choose bird food with natural, wholesome ingredients.
5. Oats and Wheat: Inexpensive, Low-Nutrition Additives
Oats and wheat are commonly used as cheap filler seeds in bird food mixes. While not inherently “bad,” they are far from the most nutritious or appealing options for birds, and they represent poor value for your money. Birds generally do not show a strong preference for either of these grains. Including oats and wheat in bird food is primarily a cost-cutting measure for manufacturers, not a benefit for the birds.
A Blue Jay perched on a deck railing. Providing high-quality bird food with nutritious ingredients like sunflower seeds is more likely to attract vibrant birds like Blue Jays.
What is Considered Good Bird Food?
Feeding wild birds is more than just filling a feeder; it’s about providing them with the essential nutrients they need to thrive. Here are key considerations for selecting the best bird food for your backyard visitors:
1. Prioritize High-Quality Ingredients
The best bird food mixes feature premium ingredients like black-oil sunflower seeds, peanuts, and dried fruit. Think of it as trail mix for birds! These ingredient-rich mixes are packed with the fats and nutrients birds require to maintain energy, especially during colder seasons. Black-oil sunflower seeds are particularly beneficial due to their high oil content and thin shells, making them easy for smaller birds to crack open. Peanuts provide protein and fat, while dried fruits offer essential vitamins and minerals.
2. Avoid Fillers in Your Bird Food
As previously discussed, fillers like corn, red milo, and millet are often added to bulk up bird food mixes, but they contribute minimal nutritional value and are frequently discarded by birds. It’s crucial to avoid these fillers. Opt for seed mixes with a higher concentration of desirable seeds like sunflower seeds or peanuts to attract a wider variety of bird species and ensure your feathered friends are getting the nourishment they need.
3. Choose Bird Food Blends for Specific Birds
Certain bird food mixes are formulated to attract particular types of birds. For example, if you’re hoping to attract finches, look for a Nyjer seed blend. (For optimal freshness, store Nyjer seed in a cool place, even the freezer!). If woodpeckers are your target, a mix containing peanuts (always unsalted and without added flavorings) and sunflower seeds is ideal. Understanding the dietary preferences of different bird species can help you choose the most effective bird food.
4. Buy Bird Food from Reputable Brands
While it might be tempting to grab a large, inexpensive bag of bird food from a big-box store, it’s generally best to purchase your bird food from specialty brands that focus on bird care. These retailers are more likely to produce high-quality products without harmful fillers or unnecessary additives. Brands dedicated to bird food prioritize the health and well-being of birds, resulting in better quality mixes.
Recommended High-Quality Bird Food Products
Feel confident in choosing these bird food options – your backyard birds will appreciate it!
Lyric Supreme Wild Bird Mix, 20 lbs
Lyric produces excellent high-quality mixes with a focus on high-oil content, featuring generous amounts of black-oil sunflower seed, safflower, and peanuts. This 20-lb blend is designed to attract a diverse range of backyard birds, including chickadees, woodpeckers, titmice, nuthatches, and jays. It’s a reliable choice for attracting a wide variety of species to your feeders.
Kaytee Black-Oil Sunflower Seed, 5 lbs
One surefire way to avoid fillers is to opt for straight black-oil sunflower seeds. Kaytee’s black-oil sunflower seed is a favorite among many backyard birds, particularly chickadees. Choosing this option ensures you’re providing 100% of what your money is paying for – nutritious seed that birds love.
Lyric High-Protein Seed Cakes for Wild Birds, Pack of 12
While not all of Lyric’s suet offerings are recommended, these high-protein seed cakes are an exception (available in a pack of 12). The ingredient list speaks for itself: rendered beef suet, sunflower seeds, pecans, pistachios, and pumpkin seed. This blend is particularly beneficial during cold weather, providing birds with essential fats and energy.
Lyric Woodpecker No Waste Mix, 5 lbs
High-quality bird food should have an ingredient list that sounds appealing even to you! This mix certainly fits the bill. The ingredients include peanuts, corn (in this case, forgivable given the overall quality), sunflower seeds, pecans, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, cranberries, and raisins. This 5lb bag is packed with delicious and nutritious ingredients to attract woodpeckers and other birds while minimizing waste.
A Note on Suet for Birds
During my investigation of bird food options at local big-box stores, the suet offerings were particularly disappointing. Almost every brand consisted primarily of just two ingredients: fat and corn. Disappointing! If a third ingredient was present, it was often a barely discernible amount of sunflower seed or peanut. In some cases, the third ingredient was artificial flavoring! I’ve become very skeptical of purchasing suet from large retail chains. However, the Lyric option mentioned above stands out as a good choice. Of course, another excellent option is to make your own suet at home. It’s easier than you might think!
By being informed about bird food ingredients and choosing high-quality options, you can ensure you’re providing the best possible nutrition for your backyard birds and creating a welcoming haven for them to thrive.
