When it comes to feeding backyard birds, having a versatile bird food that appeals to a wide variety of species is key. The right bird food will attract various birds to your yard throughout the year, keeping things lively. But with so many bird food options out there, how do you know which is the most versatile? Here, we’ll explore what makes a bird food versatile and recommend the top versatile bird foods for your yard.
What Makes Bird Food Versatile?
A versatile bird food is one that will appeal to the most species of birds possible. Here are some key factors that make a bird food versatile:
- Contains a variety of ingredients – A mix of seeds, nuts, fruits, and insects will attract more species than a single ingredient.
- Has different food forms – Suet, loose seeds, balls, and blocks appeal to birds with different feeding preferences.
- Meets nutritional needs – Proteins, carbs, fats, vitamins, and minerals satisfy diverse nutritional requirements.
- Appropriate for all seasons – Some foods, like suet, are better in winter. A mix provides year-round nutrition.
- Attracts both ground feeders and perching birds – Ground seeds and raised feeders are needed for different birds.
The most versatile bird foods will tick all these boxes. And providing a variety of foods and feeders is even more effective for attracting a diversity of birds.
Top 5 Most Versatile Bird Foods
Here are 5 great options that cover a lot of bases when it comes to meeting the needs of different birds:
1. Black Oil Sunflower Seeds
A favorite among a huge number of common backyard birds, black oil sunflower seeds have very high fat and protein levels. Their small size makes them easy for small birds to crack open. Chickadees, nuthatches, cardinals, finches, and many more will readily eat them.
2. Suet
Suet is an especially versatile bird food in winter when birds need more fat. Offer suet in cages or meshes for cling-feeding birds like woodpeckers, nuthatches, and chickadees. It provides crucial energy reserves when cold temperatures make foraging difficult.
3. Mealworms
Live and dried mealworms are relished by an incredibly wide array of bird species. From robins and bluebirds to woodpeckers, wrens, and warblers, mealworms are nutritious insect protein. They are excellent for encouraging feeding by ground-foraging species too.
4. Fruit & Berry Mix
Dried fruits like raisins, cranberries, cherries, and berries appeal to thrushes, waxwings, orioles, finches, and other fruit-loving birds. They provide natural sugars and some nutrients. Mixes allow you to easily offer variety.
5. No-Mess Bird Seed Blends
Bird food mixes with lots of millet, cracked corn, sunflower chips, peanuts, and pressed seed blocks or cylinders are easier for larger birds like doves and jays. Ground-feeding specialists also like mixes with limited mess and hulls.
Choosing a Versatile Bird Food
When shopping for a versatile bird food, read labels and look for:
- A mix of seeds, including millet, cracked corn, sunflower seeds
- Other bird favorites like peanuts, raisins, berries
- Added nutrient sources such as dried mealworms or insect suet
- No artificial colors or preservatives
Here is a comparison of some popular versatile bird food mixes:
| Bird Food Mix | Key Ingredients | Added Nutrition |
|---|---|---|
| Songbird Selections | Black oil sunflower seeds, millet, safflower seeds, peanuts | Dried mealworms |
| Audubon Bird Food | Sunflower seeds, cracked corn, peanuts, fruit | Insect suet nuggets |
| Nature’s Bounty Mix | Millet, milo, sunflower chips, corn, peanuts, berries | Shelled pumpkin seeds |
Avoid blends heavy on cheap fillers like milo, wheat, or oats as these are less attractive to many bird species. The best mixes contain sunflower seeds, millet, and other favorites as the main ingredients.
Adding Diversity for Versatility
To make bird feeding even more versatile:
- Include both seeds and suet
- Offer fruits in mesh bags or on skewers
- Provide live mealworms in special feeders
- Set up tray feeders for doves and jays
- Add a ground feeding station
The most successful way to attract a variety of birds is offering a diverse birdscape. Have tube feeders, suet feeders, ground trays, fruit feeders, and insect feeders. Use various bird foods to appeal to many backyard visitors.
Conclusion
When it comes to versatile bird foods that attract a diversity of bird species to your yard, you can’t go wrong with classic favorites like black oil sunflower seeds, suet, and mealworms. Look for mixes that combine multiple seeds, fruits, nuts, and insect proteins. The most versatile blends will contain sunflower seeds, millet, peanuts, and dried fruits. Support your bird food offerings with a range of feeder types and you’ll enjoy regular visits from all sorts of different birds!
