Food and feeder matching guide
Bird food,
matched to the right bird.
Choose food only after identifying the birds you can responsibly support. Match particle size and food form to a cleanable feeder, offer small fresh quantities, and remove wet or spoiled leftovers.
Compare bird foods
Black-oil Sunflower Seed
A widely used seed accepted by many common feeder birds.
Freshness: Keep dry and discard moldy seed or compacted debris.
Match feeder types →Food guideSafflower Seed
A firm seed suited to cardinals and several other seed-eating birds.
Freshness: Offer fresh seed in a hopper or platform and remove accumulated hulls.
Match feeder types →Food guideNyjer Seed
A small seed best served through fine ports or mesh to finches.
Freshness: Buy amounts birds use promptly; old or damp seed may be rejected.
Match feeder types →Food guideSunflower Chips
Shelled sunflower pieces that reduce hull waste but spoil faster when damp.
Freshness: Hull-free chips reduce shell waste but are more exposed to moisture and spoilage.
Match feeder types →Food guideSuet
An energy-dense food commonly offered to woodpeckers, chickadees, and titmice.
Freshness: Use a clean holder and monitor softening or rancidity in warm conditions.
Match feeder types →Food guidePeanuts
A high-energy food for jays, woodpeckers, chickadees, and titmice; keep it dry and fresh.
Freshness: Keep nuts dry and discard rancid, moldy, or contaminated pieces.
Match feeder types →Food guideMillet
A small seed often taken by ground-feeding sparrows and doves.
Freshness: Serve sparingly on a clean tray or ground station and remove leftovers.
Match feeder types →Food guideHummingbird Nectar
One part plain white sugar to four parts water; never add honey, dye, or artificial sweetener.
Freshness: Use one part plain white sugar to four parts water; no honey, dye, or artificial sweetener.
Match feeder types →Match food to birds
Foods to avoid
- Moldy, rancid, wet, or contaminated food
- Bread as a routine bird food
- Honey, red dye, or artificial sweetener in nectar
- Food that creates unresolved rodent or wildlife conflict
When to pause feeding
Remove feeders temporarily when multiple sick birds appear, clean the equipment and feeding area, and follow current local wildlife guidance. Supplemental feeding is optional; natural habitat remains the foundation.