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- Great price.
- Perfect for many wild bird species.
- Fits in every type of feeder.
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Bird feeders are a great way to attract birds. And while you can find many automated bird feeders or houses that simply work as plates according to your preferences, what matters is what you put into those feeders. After all, not every bird is attracted to every sort of feed. You might think sunflower seeds are an all-around nutritional seed and while that might be correct, not every regional bird will be a fan of it. So one has to pay close attention to what sort of birds they have hanging around their area so they can buy the best wild bird seed mix for them.
This, however, isn’t very easy once you do a quick google search. If you have found this article through that search, you will already know there are thousands of brands offering the best seed mix and everyone says the same thing. And that is not even mentioning the false advertising or how every seed mix is okay to attract every species of bird. That is why we have decided to compare some of the best wild bird seed brands around so you can find the appropriate one for your particular needs.
We have chosen to display twelve of the best wild bird seed mixes around from varying brands. This list is not in any actual order as the type of birdseed mix that you buy depends on what sort of species of birds you have in your area. So each and every one of these seed mixes offers something unique.
Wagner’s Deluxe Wild Bird Food is best for many species of birds as it not only offers sunflowers seeds but also many varieties of seeds that every bird will like. It can also be used in every type of feeder.
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This is one of the best mixes that is offered by the Wagners brand and it isn’t hard to see why once you take a look at all the ingredients in this wild bird feed.
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This particular wild bird feed is perfect for those areas where you often see eastern songbirds and thus contains a lot of sunflower and safflower seeds.
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Kaytee offers a wild bird feed that not only has a variety of seeds but also has a blend of different nuts and fruits for bird species like Chickadees and Woodpeckers.
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This particular wild bird food is made specifically for smaller birds like Canaries and Finches and contains a premium blend of canola seeds, flaxseed, and many other ingredients.
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Kaytee offers a single grain feed for those who prefer to feed their wild birds premium black sunflower seeds and attacks smaller birds
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Lyric has made this wild bird feed to attract the most number of wild birds and it shows in the reviews. It offers a nutritional blend of six premium ingredients perfect for any bird.
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Wagner’s deluxe wild bird food is perfect for perching and ground birds and their highly nutritious formula makes sure that these birds have energy all year round.
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This particular food blend offered by Kaytee is made for those birds that do not eat traditional seed blends and thus need a different blend of mealworms.
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Wagners offers this blend specifically for Cardinals and many other songbirds as they love safflower seeds and the highest quality grains are used in this particular wild bird feed.
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This no-mess bird feed has more peanuts and sunflower hearts than many other brands offering the same thing and it also features no hulls.
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Wild Delight offers a cheap wild birdseed food that does not hold back on the seeds, fruits, and nuts when it comes to the blend.
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There are many types of wild bird seeds blends and they can range from animal products like mealworms and insects to purely seeds and fruits. There can be a lot of variety when it comes to bird feeds and all of it depends on what sort of birds you have around your area. So if you get birds that prefer sunflower seeds but instead have a mealworm blend on your patio, you won’t get a lot of birds hanging around.
A lot of it has to do with trial and error as well. Because even though usually birds eat most seeds blends, you never know which blend is the best for your bird feeder unless you give a few brands a try. And that is exactly why we have made a short guide to the most generally used types of wild bird seeds as follows.
There is a lot of variation when it comes to sunflower seeds as there are some black oil seeds that have a shell around them and most birds will crack those thing shells to get to the seed underneath. While other brands offer no-mess blends that come without the shell so you don’t have hulls littering your backyard. Then there are striped sunflower seeds that have a thicker hull making it hard for smaller birds to crack the shell open.
Sunflower seeds are also beloved by squirrels so if you don’t want squirrels hanging around your bird feeder, you might want to give sunflower seeds a miss.
Safflower seeds usually have a thicker hull than sunflower seeds and this makes it hard for many birds to get it to open. However, If your area is frequented by birds like Cardinals, Chickadees, or doves, then this might be the right fit. Squirrels also don’t usually have a taste for this particular seed making it a favorite among many bird feeders.
Most if not all wild bird seed blends offer white millet and it is because not only are most birds fine eating it but it is also much cheaper than many other seed options. However, it is usually thrown on the ground as ground-feeding birds are much more likely to prefer it than birds of the exotic category.
Peanuts are an interesting food when it comes to birds. Because while many birds are attracted to peanuts, so are many smaller animals like squirrels and raccoons. Not only that but peanuts have to be kept fresh and changed almost daily so they do not get soggy or the birds won’t eat them. However, peanuts can be quite nutritious so many wild bird seed blends mix peanuts in with traditional seeds and fruits.
Milo has gotten a bad name in the bird feed industry as many people think it is just a cheap addition to many bird feed blends but some birds actually prefer it over other seeds like sunflower. Birds like Gambel’s Quails, Curve-billed Thrashers, and Stellar’s Jay prefer Milo over other traditional seed blends. However, it is not a favorite among every bird species so one has to keep that fact in mind.
These tiny needle-like seeds are a favorite among a variety of bird species like American Goldfinches, Lesser Goldfinches, Indigo Buntings, Pine Siskins, and Common Redpolls. They are actually quite rich when it comes to their fat content and thus are high in nutritional content though they should never be the main ingredient in a wild bird feed as they do not offer a lot of protein content.
There is no shortage of seed types when it comes to feeding birds. The ones we mentioned above are just some of the most commonly used in blends but other seeds like Red Millet, Flaxseeds, Canary Seed, and many others make an appearance in wild bird feeds as well, just not as commonly as sunflower or safflower seeds. Some of these seeds are usually just used as filler as they do not offer anything new.
These might not be a type of seed but birds love all of these ingredients all the same. After all, if humans didn’t have bird feeders, most birds naturally like to eat smaller insects like mealworms and quite like the taste of peanuts and berries. And you can also find many wild bird feeds which have a miz of mealworms and seeds alike. This may sound gross to humans but birds seem to love it. And mealworms are quite high in protein so they are actually quite good for the bird’s health as well.
There are many things to look for when it comes to finding the perfect wild bird feed blend for you. From finding the right proportions of seeds that you want to making sure you get the freshest blend possible, it is never as easy as it seems at first. So we have made a short guide for people to understand what really matters when it comes to finding the best wild bird seed mix.
Right off the bat, this is quite important especially if you are buying bird feed online. While the manufacturers may make their feed with the highest quality ingredients, none of it matters if it has gone bad by the time it gets to you. There can also be webbing or an infestation of moths in older feeds so one has to keep an eye on that.
This may not seem important but the packaging is actually quite important when it comes to keeping your bird feed as fresh as possible for the longest amount of time. One has to make sure that your wild bird feed has sturdy plastic packaging and clear packaging is always recommended so you can see beforehand as to what you are getting.
Many of us think that a higher price means better wild bird feed but this isn’t always true. Many online stores offer a lot of sales from time to time on their bird feeds so that is always a great time to order in bulk as long as you keep the product in a dry and cool place.
If a brand does not mention their ingredient list on the website or on the packaging, we would never recommend getting that particular bird feed as the ingredients are highly important when it comes to finding the best wild bird feed for you. One has to make sure that there isn’t a lot of filler like red millet in the seed blend because most birds won’t eat it at all wasting your money in the long run.
Proportions can be quite important when it comes to wild bird feeds as many brands may say that their feed has sunflower seeds in it but it is sometimes the last ingredient on the list. So one has to always pay attention to the ratio of the intended seed that they are getting at the end of the day.
What birdseed is best for wild birds?
might be the way to go. It is not only high in protein but also quite high in fat content so you can be rest assured that your birds are getting the best food they possibly can.
What should you not feed wild birds?
Seeds like Gold Millet and Red Millet while not harmful are just filler that most birds just don’t prefer to eat.
What do most wild birds eat?
While humans do feed their birds blends like sunflower and safflower seeds, most birds are naturally disposed to eating smaller insects like mealworms and mosquitoes. They also quite like smaller berries and nuts. While larger birds will often times go for animals like rodents and snakes so it depends on the bird species.
Where should I put wild bird food?
rees present so that birds have a shaded resting area between their meals. While eating birds like to be safe from predators so keeping your birdfeeder near a wall or a staircase where other animals can reach it is not ideal.
Can ducks eat wild bird seed?
The answer to this question is a definite yes. Rather than feeding bread to ducks which can be harmful to them, bird seeds can make a nutritious and healthy snack for ducks. So if you want to feed ducks, bring a bag of seed mix with you next time and just see as they gobble it all up.
Can chickens eat wild bird seed?
While chickens can indeed enjoy wild bird seed, it is not recommended for one to feed them only this. As we all know, most wild bird seed blends are high in fat and this can be detrimental to a chicken’s health in the long run. So if you want to give your chicken a treat, go for it but don’t make it their main meal.
Do wild rabbits eat birdseed?
Yes, many of the rabbit species love wild bird seeds. And you might even notice rabbits nearby if you have bird feed on the ground for your ground-feeding birds. However, that does not mean that you should start feeding your pet rabbit bird seeds every day as they need a varied and healthy diet. Though an occasional treat will not hurt them in any way.
Can parakeets eat wild bird seed?
because of the high-fat content. That is not to say that they do not like it but it can be harmful in the long run if you feed them bird feed daily. That is why there are special parakeet feeds made specifically for them.
What are your thoughts on some of the wild bird feed blends we mentioned above? Have you tried some of them? If so, which did you find was the best fit for your bird feeder? Voice your thoughts in the comments below and don’t forget to share this list with other bird feeder enthusiasts!
