Types of Bird Food: What to Feed Backyard Birds and When

If you want to attract more birds to your backyard, choosing the right feeder is only part of the equation. The type of bird food you offer plays an even bigger role in which birds will visit and how often.

Here’s a friendly breakdown of the most common types of bird food and which birds they attract.

Seed: The Foundation of Backyard Bird Feeding

Seed is the most popular and versatile option for attracting a wide variety of wild birds, including many adults and females during breeding seasons.

Best Types of Bird Seed

• Black oil sunflower seeds – these black oil seeds are a favorite among many bird species including cardinals, chickadees, finches, nuthatches, jays, and other members of the bird community

• Thistle – perfect for finches

• Safflower – attracts cardinals and helps deter squirrels

• Peanuts – a nutritious treat that appeals to woodpeckers, jays, and some other species

You can explore bird seed options to find the best fit for your tray feeders, hopper feeders, or other types of feeders placed near trees, plants, and forests to create a natural habitat for wild birds.

Suet: High-Energy Food for Year-Round Feeding

Suet is a high-fat food that provides essential energy, especially in colder months but many birds love it throughout the year.

Birds That Love Suet

• Woodpeckers

• Chickadees

• Nuthatches

• Wrens

Suet is especially helpful in fall and winter when birds need extra calories to stay warm and maintain their health, supporting their ability to fly and maintain their plumage.

You can easily provide this energy-rich option by offering suet cakes in your feeding setup.

Seed Cakes: Less Mess, More Convenience

Seed cakes are compressed blocks of seeds that hold together, creating a cleaner feeding experience.

Why Choose Seed Cakes?

• Less mess under feeders

• Reduced waste

• Easy to handle and store

They attract many of the same birds as loose seed, including cardinals, finches, chickadees, blue jays, and other species.

You can find seed cakes that fit easily into compatible feeders.

Seed Cylinders: Long-Lasting and Efficient

Seed cylinders are similar to seed cakes but designed to last longer and feed more birds at once.

Benefits of Seed Cylinders

• Long-lasting food source

• Attracts multiple birds at the same time

• Minimal waste

They’re ideal for busy birders who want a low-maintenance option.

Explore seed cylinders for an efficient feeding solution.

Mealworms 

Some birds need mealworms, especially during nesting season when females lay eggs and adults feed their young.

Birds That Love Mealworms

• Bluebirds

• Wrens

• Robins

Offering mealworms can help attract bird species that don’t typically visit seed feeders, supporting their dietary needs during critical life stages.

Nectar: For Hummingbirds

Nectar is the primary food source for hummingbirds and is essential for attracting them to your yard.

Providing ready-to-use hummingbird nectar makes it easy to support these fast-moving birds with the energy they need.

What to Know

• Use high-quality nectar 

• Avoid artificial dyes or unnecessary additives

• Clean feeders frequently to keep nectar fresh

Hummingbirds are seasonal visitors in many areas, so nectar is best offered during the warmer months when they are most active.

Seasonal Feeding Tips

Birds’ dietary needs change throughout the year due to natural cycles and human activities that affect food availability.

Spring & Summer

• Focus on protein sources like insects and suet to support nesting and feeding young birds

Fall & Winter

• Offer high-fat foods like suet and black sunflower seeds to help birds maintain their energy and health

• Provide consistent food sources, especially when natural food is scarce

Keeping feeders stocked during colder months can make a significant difference for many bird species.

Offer Variety for the Best Results

The best way to attract a wide range of birds is to offer multiple food types at once.

A well-rounded feeding station might include:

• Seed for general feeding

• Suet for energy

• Seed cakes or cylinders for convenience

• Protein sources for insect-eating birds

Pairing the right bird food with the right feeder will dramatically increase bird activity in your yard and support the life of wild birds in your habitat for several years to come.

Choosing the right bird food isn’t complicated, but it does make a big difference.

By offering a mix of seed, suet, and specialty foods like peanuts, corn, and sunflower hearts, you can attract many bird species and keep them coming back throughout the year.

The more variety you provide, the more vibrant and lively your backyard will become, welcoming flocks of beautiful birds and other species to enjoy and thrive in your corner of the world.