Bird seed flying off the shelves is a phenomenon being observed in many parts of the country this year. Stores are struggling to keep bird seed in stock as demand has surged beyond typical levels. There are a few key factors contributing to the bird seed shortage.
Surge in Birdwatching
The pandemic has sparked a major increase in birdwatching. With people spending more time at home and outdoors, noticing and learning about birds became a popular hobby. There are now an estimated 60 million birdwatchers in the U.S. This represents a huge growth from pre-pandemic levels. More people feeding and observing birds in their yards and communities has directly translated into higher demand for bird seed.
Backyard Bird Feeding
Birdwatching isn’t the only pandemic effect boosting interest in feeding birds. Having to stay at home encouraged many people to pay more attention to their immediate surroundings, including their backyards. Observing and interacting with backyard birds through feeders and baths became a frequent pastime. This has led to more households buying bird seed on a regular basis and going through it more quickly.
Winter Stockpiling
Some of the bird seed shortage can be attributed to consumers stocking up in preparation for winter. Bird feeding activity tends to increase in colder months as natural food sources decline. Many backyard birding enthusiasts try to build up their seed inventory in fall to be ready. This year, some appear to be stockpiling even more than usual just in case pandemic conditions interfere with winter re-stocking. This has added further strain on inventories.
Disruptions to Global Supply Chain
The pandemic has caused major disruptions to global supply chains, impacting many industries. Bird seed, which is often imported in bulk quantities from major producing countries like Canada and China, has been caught up in these logistics struggles. Transportation delays, labor shortages, and other key issues have made it more difficult for bird seed distributors to maintain typical inventory levels to meet surging demand.
Transportation Challenges
Getting bird seed delivered to stores once it reaches U.S. ports has also proven challenging. Retailers report delays of 2-3 weeks for new shipments to arrive, meaning they sometimes run out before the next delivery. A shortage of truck drivers and rail operators has severely impacted delivery capacity across many industries. For a bulky, heavy product like bird seed that is sourced from limited locations, transportation constraints are especially problematic.
Higher Prices
The mismatch between bird seed supply and demand has led to some price hikes. When supplies are limited, basic economics dictates that prices will rise in the market. Some popular seed varieties have seen price jumps of up to 25% at major retailers. While prices settle back down when inventories rebound, cost-conscious shoppers are feeling the effects of the short-term crunch.
When Will It End?
Unfortunately, the bird seed shortage may get worse before it gets better. As temperatures drop heading into winter, demand will continue rising. And pandemic-related supply chain problems show no signs of abating quickly. The surge in interest in bird feeding also appears poised to outlast the pandemic itself. It may take quite some time for production, transportation, and inventory levels to catch up. Some expect the bird seed market to remain tight well into 2023.
Coping Strategies
For consumers having trouble finding or affording their normal bird seed, there are some options to get through the shortage:
- Try different stores or online sources when your regular retailer is out of stock.
- Consider mixing in lower cost fillers like rice, millet, cracked corn, etc.
- Supplement seed with bird feeders for suet, peanuts, fruits, and nectar.
- Use non-seed foods like mealworms, berries, peanut butter, and nectar.
- Set up bird baths and other water sources when seed is limited.
The bird seed shortage has been an unexpected and unusual consequence of the pandemic. But with some flexibility and creativity from bird lovers, our feathered friends can continue to be fed through the winter. This too shall pass, though it may take some time before we see shelves consistently stocked with bird seed once more.
Conclusion
The sudden widespread shortage of bird seed in stores has taken many by surprise. However, examining key factors like the booming interest in backyard bird feeding, pandemic-related supply chain disruptions, and spikes in demand going into winter reveals a perfect storm of conditions driving the problem. While inconvenient for consumers in the near-term, the bird seed shortage is a sign of increased engagement with nature close to home – a positive outcome from a challenging period for many. Adapting feeding approaches and exercising some patience will help bird enthusiasts weather the shortage storm.