Responsible Bird Feeding: What to Put in Bird Feeders
- Mesinurs
- Jun 1
- 4 min read
Key Takeaways
Different bird species prefer different foods and feeder styles.
Black oil sunflower seed is one of the best all-around options for feeding birds.
Proper bird feeder placement can help attract more birds while keeping them safe.
Some foods, including bread and salty snacks, can be harmful to birds.
Squirrel-resistant feeders can help protect bird seed from unwanted visitors.
If you’re looking for ways to bring more beauty to your backyard—and support local wildlife—bird feeding is one of the simplest options to cultivate joy for yourself and the environment.
For those new to bird feeding, it’s important to know the basics if you want to do it right. Responsible bird feeding is about more than filling a feeder with seed. You need the right feeder, the right placement, and the right food in order to create a healthy environment for birds and attract a wide variety of species.
If you’ve ever wondered what to put in bird feeders or how to feed birds safely, this guide covers everything you need to know.
What to Know Before Bird Feeding
Below, we’ll break down the following important factors of responsible bird feeding.
What birds can and can’t eat. Before setting up your feeding areas, it’s important to understand that not all foods are safe for birds.
Where to position your bird feeder. Bird feeder position matters, as does the type of feeder you use, depending on what type of birds you want to attract.
When to put bird food out. You can feed birds all year round, but business changes from season to season—and even time of day.
How to keep squirrels away. Squirrels can be a major threat to birds’ access to food. Knowing how to keep them away can make all the difference.
What to Feed Birds
Offering a variety of foods can attract a wider range of bird species.
Consider the following favorite seeds by bird:
Bird Seeds
Different birds prefer different seeds, and offering multiple food types in separate bird feeders can increase backyard activity.
Black Oil Sunflower Seed
Black oil sunflower seed is one of the best all-around choices for bird feeding. It attracts:
Cardinals
Chickadees
Finches
Nuthatches
Titmice
Woodpeckers
The thin shells make the seeds easier for many birds to crack open.
Sunflower Hearts or Chips
These provide the same nutritional benefits as sunflower seeds without the mess of leftover shells.
Nyjer or Thistle Seed
Nyjer seed is especially popular with:
Goldfinches
House finches
Pine siskins
These tiny seeds work best in specialized tube feeders designed for smaller birds.
Safflower Seed
Safflower seed is often enjoyed by:
Cardinals
Chickadees
Grosbeaks
Some homeowners use safflower seed because squirrels tend to avoid it more than sunflower seed.
White Proso Millet
Millet is ideal for ground feeding birds such as:
Sparrows
Juncos
Doves
Towhees
This seed works well in platform feeders or ground-feeding areas.
Peanut Butter and Corn Meal
During colder months, a mixture of natural peanut butter and corn meal can provide birds with extra energy. Spread small amounts on tree bark or offer it in specialized feeders.
Always use unsalted peanut butter without artificial sweeteners—the salt and sweetener can be dangerous for them.
Fruit for Berry-Eating Birds
Fruit-loving birds enjoy foods such as:
Apple slices
Orange halves
Raisins
Berries
These foods may attract species like robins, waxwings, and mockingbirds.
Check out these fruit hanging stick feeders specifically made to hold fruit for fruit-eating birds!
Nectar for Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds rely on nectar feeders filled with a simple sugar-water solution. Avoid red dyes or artificial coloring.
A basic nectar recipe includes:
1 part white sugar
4 parts water
Watch ‘em buzz on up!
Suet Cakes for Colder Months
Suet cakes are high-energy food sources that are especially valuable during winter. Woodpeckers, nuthatches, wrens, and chickadees commonly visit suet feeders.
What Birds Can’t Eat
Some foods may seem harmless but can negatively affect bird health.
Avoid feeding birds:
Bread and crackers
Chips and salty foods
Candy or sweets
Spoiled food
Fried foods
Raw beans
It’s also important to avoid using pesticides in outdoor feeding areas. While pesticides may reduce insects, they can also harm birds that rely on bugs as part of their diet.
Birds may accidentally ingest contaminated insects or chemicals while feeding.
Keeping your yard as natural and chemical-free as possible creates a safer habitat for wildlife.
Bird Feeder Placements
Bird feeder placement matters.
Position feeders:
Near trees or shrubs for shelter
Away from areas where predators may hide
Close enough to windows to reduce collision risk or far enough away to prevent high-speed impacts
In quiet, low-traffic areas when possible
Different feeder styles also attract different birds. For example, tube feeders often attract finches and chickadees, while a platform feeder can accommodate larger birds and ground-feeding species.
Different birds feed at different heights, so placing feeders at multiple levels can help attract more species.
Elevated tube feeders attract finches and chickadees.
Platform feeders accommodate larger birds.
Ground-feeding areas attract doves and sparrows.
Hanging feeders near shrubs provide birds with quick shelter.
Providing a mix of feeder styles and placements creates a more welcoming environment for backyard birds.
When to Put Bird Food Out
Many homeowners increase feeding during colder months when natural food sources become scarce. In winter, keeping feeders stocked becomes especially important, as snow and ice limit access to birds’ food.
Early morning and late afternoon are often the busiest feeding times for birds.
Birds often feed most actively during early morning and before sunset. It’s a good idea to consistently refill your feeders, as this will signal to birds that your yard is a reliable food source—and they’ll keep coming back for their snacks!
How to Keep Squirrels Away
Squirrels are a quick way to ruin a bird’s good time. These creatures can empty bird feeders rapidly and discourage eating birds from visiting. That’s why it’s important to use squirrel-resistant feeders, baffles, and strategic placement to protect your seed supply.
Squirrels are persistent, but there are several ways to discourage them:
Use squirrel-resistant feeders
Install baffles on poles
Place feeders away from jumping surfaces
Offer safflower seed
Keep fallen seed cleaned up
Choosing a feeder specifically designed to block squirrels can make bird feeding easier and less wasteful. Mesinurs' Squirrel Buster Bird Feeder is designed to help reduce squirrel access while still allowing birds to feed comfortably.
With the right setup, you can create a backyard feeding station that attracts beautiful birds while minimizing unwanted visitors.
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