What Are The Most Popular Types of Bird Feed?

Are there any varieties of bird feed more popular than others? Read on to find out which types of bird food are popular, how to select which types to buy, and save money.

Popular Bird Feeds

If you’re wondering which bird feed is the most popular, the simple answer is…it’s quite a difficult question to answer! Popular amongst birds? With a specific type of bird? Or what bird feed is most popular with buyers?

Popular Feeds By Bird Species

Each of the common species of bird that visit your garden may have a specific food that they favour over other types of food. For example, Nyjer seeds, a tiny black seed full of rich fat and oils are very popular with greenfinches, tits, nuthatches, and if you’re lucky enough to have them visit your garden – great spotted woodpeckers.

Peanuts come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but split peanuts are a very popular feed for birds with smaller beaks such as robins and wrens.

Mealworms are popular with birds that prefer insects – according to the RSPB, robins and blue tits love mealworms and even pied wagtails may be tempted with mealworms.

The list goes on, but you may also find that a specific birds supposed type of food isn’t popular in your garden. This is because birds may differ in their tastes depending on what has usually been available in your area, or the time of year.

An easy way to find out what foods are popular with your garden birds is to carefully monitor what gets taken from your feeders. Certain bird feeds may disappear quickly if they are popular, and you will then know to provide more of that food next time.

If you have been feeding birds for a while in your garden but don’t seem to be attracting different species, change up the food and see if it makes a difference Keep in mind though that it can take a while for birds to ‘find you’ and recognise your garden as regular feeding spot, so don’t give up on one type of feed too quickly! Just provide small amounts of food at one time so that it doesn’t spoil quickly in hot or rainy weather.   

Overall, the best way to cater to as many species as possible is to provide a mixed variety of seeds. When buying seed mixes be sure to look for superior wild bird seed mixes as these often contain the highest quality seeds and fewer cereal ‘fillers’ (which mostly only attract pigeons and sparrows).

Good quality premium mixes are ideal for feeding year-round and give you the greatest chance of attracting a wide variety of species to your garden.

What Bird Feeds Are People Buying?

Different bird feeds are popular with other bird lovers for a variety of reasons, usually based on convenience and price.

For example, people that have a tighter budget but still want to enjoy birds visiting their garden usually opt for economy bird seed. Good quality economy mixes should provide a great source of nutrients for birds without breaking the bank.

Mixed feeds are also versatile when it comes to how they are provided for birds – mixed products can be placed in a feeder, scattered or places on a bird table. Just be careful if you spread food at ground level – some birds like to feed on the ground but food on the floor increases the chances of attracting unwanted visitors such as rats.

Suet for birds is also another popular buying option. Lots of people like the convenience of products like fat balls and filled coconuts.

People also buy foods based on what birds they want to attract – the robin is one of the nations favourite birds and as people want to attract them to their garden they may buy a specific robin bird food.

In recent years, ‘no grow’ mixes have also become very popular with customers. These mixes contain seeds that won’t germinate in your garden. This is ideal if your bird feeding area is in the middle of a lawn or flower bed.

Try Them All!

As you can see, there is no answer to what bird feeds are the most popular! It all depends on your personal preferences, local bird population, and of course budget.

Although it is good to establish a regular bird feeding routine, it doesn’t hurt to try a variety of feeds and feeding methods when you’re first starting. You will quickly learn what goes down a treat in your garden.