Best Birdseed

Best Birdseed

Our editors independently research the best products online to produce this list. We may receive commission on purchases made from the links below but this will never affect our product choices.


Whether you’re an avid avian enthusiast or you’re just trying to attract more winged friends to your home, you’re going to need the perfect birdseed. Crucial for feeders, houses, and bird tables in your garden, the ideal product is an excellent way to give something back to nature. The challenge is in choosing the most effective option. We created this list to help guide you.

How We Compared Birdseed

To find the right birdseed, we considered multiple factors, including:

  • Ingredients
  • Ease of Use
  • Bird Appeal
  • Versatility

Our team planned comparison points and specifically looked for products that would cater to all kinds of needs. We spent countless hours researching, consulting customer reviews, and comparing features to come up with this list.

Birdseed Reviews

Extra Select Wild Bird (Editor’s Choice)

This seed has it all. It is composed of a collection of wheat, red dari, black sunflower, cut maize, kibble split peas, white millet and vegetable oils. This product is suitable for use all year round and is designed to deliver exceptional nutrition to a wide range of different birds. With this delicious food option, you’re sure to attract everything from sparrows to dunnocks.

The Extra Select Wild Bird feed is a simple but effective food mix created with carefully-sourced ingredients. There’s a high proportion of black sunflower for giving your winged friends an excellent dose of energy and much-needed minerals. This product also comes in a handy, lightweight bag, so it’s easy to distribute during meal times.

With this birdfeed, there’s no need to worry about extra fillers causing health problems for the winged creatures you keep in your home or the ones you want to feed outdoors. It’s suitable for tube feeders, bird tables, ground feeding, and houses.

Pros:

  • Suitable for year-round use
  • Wide range of ingredients to attract different birds
  • Plenty of nutritional black sunflower
  • Handy lightweight bag
  • Works well with different types of feeder

Cons:

  • Some seeds may be too large for smaller birds
  • The bag could be a little too thin, causing splitting

Peckish Complete (Luxury Choice)

Available in a range of sizes, so you can stock up for year-round feeding, this rich seed and nut mixture is ideal for bringing various feathered friends into your garden. The no-mess mix has no seed husks, so you don’t have to worry about residue around the garden. There’s also CalVita included in the formula to give birds extra calcium and vitamins.

Healthy and natural, the Peckish complete birdseed can attract all kinds of exotic songbirds to your home. The high-performance blend is designed to fuel birds for longer, delivering nourishment all throughout the year. What’s more, there are 12 different types of nuts and seeds included, so you can ensure you have the most attractive yard in the neighbourhood.

This high-energy seed blend comes in a convenient resealable package, so it’s easy to use and store. It’s also packed with vitamins and minerals, such as Biotin, to strengthen bone and beaks.

Pros:

  • High-energy nutritional formula
  • Husks removed for less mess
  • Extra calcium and vitamins via CalVita
  • Resealable package for easy storage
  • Various nuts and seeds to attract different birds

Cons:

  • The packaging might be a little flimsy
  • Smaller seeds may fall out of some feeders

Copdock Mill Wild Bird (Best Value)

This birdseed, packaged in a convenient 5-litre tub, is excellent for keeping your feeders well stocked throughout the year. The product includes a nutritional mix of flaked maize, seed base, red dari, cut maize, soya bean oil, and whole wheat. The high-energy mixture also comes with an extra dose of black sunflower seeds and split peanuts for protein.

Suitable for all bird feeders and tables, the Copdock Mill Wild Bird can attract all kinds of birds, from finches and sparrows to blackbirds and robins. The resealable tub ensures you can preserve the quality of the food for longer during storage. With all-natural, wholesome ingredients, this solution is great for anyone who wants to boost the vitality of their feathered visitors.

The contents of the tub have been carefully chosen by experts with over 40 years of experience producing delicious meals for animals. There’s also a minimal filler for reduced waste.

Pros:

  • Convenient resealable tub for storage
  • 100% natural and high-energy food
  • Includes bonus ingredients like black sunflower seeds
  • Suitable for all-year use
  • Ideal for various feeders and tabletop accessories

Cons:

  • This birdseed could be a little messy
  • This product may include grass seed

Johnston & Jeff Wild (Best for All Year Round)

This product is designed in a flake format to attract smaller birds. It is fantastic for bringing a wider variety of creatures into your garden. The formula was chosen to appeal to various tits, sparrows, and songbirds at all life stages. Moreover, this nutritional product is effective for all-year use, making it ideal for homeowners looking to stock up on feed.

The Johnston & Jeff Wild Bird feed is designed to be the ultimate all-season food for any bird. The product includes black sunflower seeds for an energy boost, natural groats, red dari, millet, wheat, cut maize, and vegetable oil. There are also peanuts and various other smaller seeds.

This product is delivered in a 20kg package, so it will keep the feathered creatures in your garden well fed for months at a time. What’s more, it’s suitable for use in a range of different feeders and birdhouses.

Pros:

  • Ideal for all-year feeding
  • Appeals to a range of smaller birds
  • Excellent ingredient content for high energy
  • Lots of food in one package
  • Easy to use and pour

Cons:

  • The packaging could be a little flimsy for some users
  • There may be some leftover waste and husks around the feeder

SeedzBox Wild (Best for Versatility)

This birdseed is created from a collection of high-quality, nutritious ingredients. It is suitable for all life stages and all seasons. The mix includes various products to attract new wildlife, including red dari for doves and jays and black sunflower for finches and tits. There’s also plenty of millet seed, micronised maize, chopped peanut, and cut peas. Added bird grit also assists with improving bird digestion.

Promising no fillers or powders, the SeedzBox Wild Bird is excellent for promoting fantastic avian health. This mix was specifically chosen for wild birds, with a selection of different ingredients and textures to explore. Moreover, the company is sustainable and environmentally friendly, so you know you’re giving something back to the environment.

Ideal for suspended feeders and bowls, this product is great for all kinds of feeding strategies. What’s more, you can use it for domesticated birds as well.

Pros:

  • Specially formulated to attract wild birds
  • Lots of nutritional ingredients
  • Extra bird grit for enhanced digestion
  • Sustainable and environmentally friendly
  • Suitable for all-year use

Cons:

  • You may see some waste under the feeder
  • The packs might be a little small

Britten & James No Mess (Best for Variety)

This birdfeed is chosen with a focus on protecting avian health and wellbeing. It uses all-natural, high-quality ingredients throughout. The nutritious product comes packed with extra protein, as well as energy-dense grains for better nutrition. It’s also suitable for use all year round, on any kind of bird table, as well as in feeders and tubes.

Popular among nuthatches, robins, goldfinches, tits, sparrows, woodpeckers, and more, the Britten & James No Mess bird food is ideal for avian enthusiasts. This product comes with all of the husks and extra waste removed, so you can enjoy less mess around the eating area.

The durable plastic tub included with the feed also means it’s easy to store and keep in great condition for months. All of the ingredients are ethically sourced, and there are no dangerous preservatives or chemicals included.

Pros:

  • Ethically and sustainably sourced
  • Ideal for attracting different kinds of bird
  • Suitable for year-round use
  • No extra waste or husks
  • High-quality natural ingredients

Cons:

  • It may attract larger birds more frequently
  • The tub could split or break over time

Gardman A05618 No Grow (Best Low Mess)

This phenomenal seed mix is suitable for all bird life stages and all seasons. It is packaged in a convenient 12.75kg bag and includes no germinating seeds. This means users don’t have to worry about stray food causing grass and weeds to grow around the garden. The mixture is also ideal for all kinds of tables, feeders, and houses.

Featuring a blend of peanut bites, sunflower hearts, and suet treats, the Gardman A05618 is ideal for attracting new species to your home. This product only contains the highest quality natural ingredients birds love, packed with extra proteins and minerals to help wild creatures thrive in any environment.

This solution includes tiny grains and components to make it more attractive to smaller birds. The minimal added filler also ensures there’s less mess left behind after meals.

Pros:

  • All-natural, high-nutrition ingredients
  • Suitable for attracting various species
  • Easy to use with a convenient bag
  • Sunflower hearts and peanuts included
  • No germinating seeds

Cons:

  • The seeds may be too small for some feeders
  • It may not be ideal for long-term storage

How to Choose Birdseed

The ideal birdseed for your needs will depend on the kind of feathered creatures you’re trying to attract to your garden. Some ingredients are more likely to appeal to certain species. For instance, black sunflower hearts are great for attracting finches. You may also need to think about how you plan on using the feed, as some products aren’t suitable for feeders.

Here are some points to consider when making your choice.

Ingredients

A high-quality seed should be free from fillers and waste, like husks and unnecessary grains. The best products will include a range of different seeds and food options, ranging from split nuts and peas to sunflower seeds and special oils.

When choosing a meal for your feathered friends, it’s worth thinking about the kind of birds you might want to attract to your home, as different substances are more appealing to certain species.

Ease of Use

Most feeds are relatively easy to use, as they can be simply poured onto tables or into feeders. However, some products are better from a convenience perspective. Non-germinating seeds, for instance, will reduce the risk of grass growing around the feeder. Additionally, a lack of husks and coatings on seeds will create less mess.

For people stocking up on large amounts of food, it may be a good idea to choose a resealable container for safe and effective storage. This will help to ensure the grain doesn’t grow mould or bacteria over time.

Bird Appeal

Some products are more likely to bring a wider range of exotic creatures into your gardens than others. Corn-based recipes are generally more likely to appeal to pigeons, while higher-quality grains can lead to more beautiful visitors.

For those trying to reach smaller, exotic birds, it’s often a good idea to choose an option with fewer large ingredients, like split peanuts. Examining what kind of food your birds prefer to eat when they come to your garden should help to guide your selection.

Versatility

A good feed for your feathered friends should be suitable for all life stages and all seasons. The best products deliver exceptional nutrition all year round. Moreover, they can also be suitable for use with various accessories, like hanging feeders and tables.

Some items are suitable for both indoor domesticated birds and wild creatures, so you can feed both pets and visitors at the same time.

Summary

Our top pick from this list was the Extra Select Wild Bird seed. This product contains a wide selection of different grains and nutritional choices to attract a huge number of avian creatures. Suitable for all-year use, this meal option is packed with high-energy and mineral-dense substances. It’s also ideal for use with various feeders and tables.

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