When it comes to feeding wild birds, using a high quality bird seed can help attract more species to your backyard. The type of bird seed you use makes a big difference in the types of birds you will see. The best wild bird seed provides a variety of ingredients that different bird species prefer. It also consists of human-grade ingredients that are fresh and full of nutrients to support avian health. Read on to learn more about choosing the best quality bird seed for wild birds.
What types of ingredients should high quality wild bird seed contain?
The highest quality wild bird seed will contain a variety of healthy grains, seeds, nuts and fruits that are preferred by popular backyard birds. Here are some of the top ingredients to look for:
- Black oil sunflower seeds – The shells of these small, nutrient-dense seeds are thin and easy for birds to crack open. Sunflower seeds are loved by chickadees, nuthatches, titmice, cardinals, finches and more.
- Nyjer thistle – Small and black with a high oil content, nyjer seeds are a favorite of finches like goldfinches, siskins and redpolls. Nyjer thistle has a bitter taste that squirrels and other animals don’t like.
- Safflower – Safflower is also disliked by squirrels so it is readily eaten by birds. Cardinals, chickadees and finches enjoy the white seeds.
- Peanuts – Shelled and broken peanuts attract jays, woodpeckers, chickadees, titmice and more.
- Cracked corn – Larger birds like doves and pheasants will visit for the yellow cracked corn.
- Millet – The small white seeds attract sparrows, juncos, towhees and buntings.
- Oats – Songbirds like mourning doves will come for the nutritional whole and cracked oats.
- Sunflower chips – These small pieces of sunflower heart provide good fats and protein for small birds.
- Raisins and dried fruit – For an extra treat, fruit appeals to robins, waxwings, orioles, bluebirds and others.
A quality blend will include a majority of black oil sunflower seeds blended with safflower seeds, peanuts and other ingredients birds love. Stay away from “filler” ingredients like wheat, milo and flax seed that birds don’t eat readily.
Why buy human-grade bird seed?
The highest quality bird seed on the market is human-grade. This means the seeds and other ingredients are suitable for human consumption – they are not moldy, insect-infested, stale or contaminated. Here’s why it matters:
- Human-grade ingredients are fresh so they have higher nutritional value for birds.
- There is less waste because the ingredients are something the birds actually want to eat.
- It prevents diseases by reducing the chances birds will ingest mold or pathogens.
- There are no fillers, artificial flavors or colors that can be unhealthy for birds.
- Human-grade bird seed attracts a wider variety of bird species.
You may pay a little more for human-grade wild bird food but it is worthwhile for the health and enjoyment of your backyard birds.
Where can I buy the highest quality bird seed?
You can find high quality, human-grade bird seed at some plant nurseries, pet supply stores or online retailers that specialize in bird feeding products. When searching for suppliers, look for the following signs of quality:
- Seeds look clean, uniformly sized and free from debris.
- There is a high percentage of black oil sunflower seeds, Nyjer thistle and/or safflower.
- A “human-grade” certification or promise on the packaging.
- The company has an avian veterinarian on staff.
- Manufacturing follows Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP standards) for food.
- The company conducts regular laboratory testing for bacteria, insects and contaminants.
- Packaging includes a “best by” freshness date.
- The retailer has a liberal return policy if you are not satisfied.
Avoid bird food with any signs of mold, clumping, moisture or insect damage. Also be wary of bird seed sold in bulk bins at some discount retailers, as quality can degrade over time.
What are the top brands for quality bird seed?
Some of the most recommended premium bird seed brands by birders, ornithologists and avian experts include:
Wagner’s Greatest Variety Blend
Wagner’s offers the best overall blend with up to 38% black oil sunflower mixed with peanuts, Nyjer thistle, safflower, millet, cracked corn and fruit. They use human-grade ingredients tested to be free of over 150 contaminants. Wagner’s is committed to nutritional research for bird health.
Lyric Ultimate Blend
Lyric’s blend includes a diversity of human-grade seeds, nuts, grains and fruit that appeal to the widest variety of birds. Their high oil content black sunflower, peanuts, safflower and thistle attract the most customers according to bird watchers.
Audubon Park Songbird Blend
This blend from Audubon contains over 20 different ingredients including peanuts, raisins, sunflower chips and cracked nuts. It is enriched with calcium carbonate for skeletal health and probiotics for digestion. The Audubon Society partnered with nutritionists to design this mix.
Nature’s Song Dial-A-Bird blend
Nature’s Song allows you to customize your perfect mix online and they donate 1% of profits to conservation. Their basic Dial-A-Bird mix appeals to 20+ species with black oil sunflower, safflower, peanuts and nut pieces in a 20 lb. bag. It is certified human-grade.
Pennington Cardinal Blend
Ideal for attracting cardinals and grosbeaks, this mix contains 38% black oil sunflower with safflower and peanuts. Pennington are selective in their sourcing and conduct laboratory testing on all seed batches.
The right bird seed is key for bringing in your favorite colorful songbirds. Try a premium brand using human-grade ingredients and a diversity of seeds, fruits and nuts. With a quality blend, you will enjoy a lively show of feathered visitors to your feeders.
How much does premium bird seed cost?
High quality wild bird seed and blends range in price from approximately $1 to $5 per pound. Here are some average price points:
| Bird Seed Type | Average Price Per Pound |
|---|---|
| Basic mix of sunflower seeds, millet, cracked corn | $1 – $2 |
| Premium blend with higher sunflower percentage, nuts, fruit | $2 – $3 |
| Black oil sunflower seeds | $2 – $4 |
| Nyjer thistle | $3 – $5 |
| Peanuts | $2 – $4 |
| Safflower seeds | $1 – $3 |
Buying bird seed in larger quantities, like 20-40 pound bags, can help lower the price per pound. You may also save by buying and combining seeds separately.
How much bird seed do I need?
Most backyard bird feeders can hold 1-2 pounds of bird seed at a time. How much seed you need depends on the number of birds you get visiting and how often you want to refill the feeders. Here are some estimates:
- For light feeding with just 1-2 feeders, plan on 2-5 pounds per week.
- With moderate feeding of daily refills for 2-4 feeders, buy 5-10 pounds per week.
- For active feeding of multiple feeders refilled 2-3 times per week, expect to use 10-20 pounds per week.
Monitor your seed consumption for the first month and adjust as needed. Buy enough seed for 4-6 weeks at a time to get freshness and save on costs. Store bird seed in a cool, dry spot to prevent spoilage.
Should I offer anything besides bird seed?
While quality bird seed blends will attract most common birds, you can supplement with other types of food too. Here are some additions to try:
Suet
Suet is made of rendered beef fat and provides high energy nutrition in the winter. Woodpeckers, nuthatches, wrens and chickadees will hang upside down to eat suet from specialty feeders.
Mealworms
Dried or live mealworms are relished by robins, bluebirds, warblers, chickadees and wrens. You can buy them at pet stores or online.
Fruit
Halved oranges, grapes, berries and other fruits are a favorite of robins, catbirds and mockingbirds. Always clean fruit before offering it.
Nectar
Hummingbirds, orioles and woodpeckers drink nectar. Make your own using 1 part white sugar to 4 parts water. Heat to dissolve and cool before filling a nectar feeder.
Peanut butter
Smear peanut butter onto pine cones, bark or specialized feeders to attract woodpeckers, chickadees, nuthatches and more. Choose 100% natural peanut butter.
With nutritious bird seed, fresh water and some tasty supplements, you are sure to have a vibrant parade of wild birds visiting your yard throughout the seasons.
Conclusion
The best quality bird seed for wild backyard birds includes a variety of human-grade, contaminant-free ingredients like black oil sunflower seeds, safflower, peanuts, Nyjer thistle and fruit. Look for reputable brands that have an avian nutritionist helping design premium seed blends that appeal to 20+ species. Expect to pay $2 to $4 per pound for a high end mix. Monitor seed consumption to buy the right amount for your feeder setup and bird traffic. While bird seed covers the basics, you can supplement with suet, fruits, mealworms and nectar to attract an even wider diversity of feathered friends to your yard.
