At Really Wild Bird Food, we’re no strangers to feeding birds. In fact, we’ve been providing Britain’s birds with nutritious and tasty meals since the nineties! On Street End Farm, just outside of Hampshire, we grow all sorts of healthy food for a variety of different garden birds.

Whether you’re looking to help out your local bird population or just enjoy a spot of bird watching, here are some of the key benefits you can reap by putting a bird feeder in your garden.

What are the benefits of feeding birds?

1. Helping your local birds
2. Protecting your garden from bugs and weeds
3. Pollinating your flowers
4. Watching the birds
5. Keeping UK bird species off the endangered list

1. Helping your local birds

Your local birds may struggle to find sources of nourishment, especially if you live in a built-up area. Providing high-calorie foods for your local birds can be a literal lifesaver (especially during the winter months, when natural food sources are at their most scarce).

2. Protecting your garden from bugs and weeds

Birds are great for your garden! For one thing, they will sometimes eat seeds that would otherwise have grown into weeds. Draw birds to your garden with a feeder, and they might pick up a few extra snacks along the way. This prevents the weeds from growing and ruining your lovely flower beds. You might also attract birds that eat slugs, such as starlings, robins and blackbirds. This can be handy if those slimy so-and-sos have been treating your garden like an open buffet.

While birds may naturally flit through your garden on occasion, the best way to get them to eat your bugs and weeds is to properly invite them to your garden with a good meal.

3. Pollinating your flowers

For the most part, we associate pollination with bees. While protecting bees is still very important because they are great pollinators, there are also some birds who can pollinate flowers too. This is great, because pollination is super important for the flowers in your garden. It’s also crucial for food production!

Birds pollinate flowers when they are trying to eat nectar. While the most well-known avian pollinator is probably the American hummingbird, there are UK birds that occasionally enjoy nectar too, like blue tits. You may see goldfinches burying their long beaks inside teasel flowers to get at seeds! When birds stick their beaks into a flower, pollen will get stuck along the beak. This can then be transferred to other flowers, pollinating them.

SEE ALSO: Planting Wildflowers in Your Garden

4. Watching the birds

There are good reasons why bird-watching is such a popular hobby: it’s relaxing, it’s entertaining, and it can help you feel closer to nature. Birdwatching can even help you to improve your mental wellbeing! Once you’ve set up a feeding station in your back garden, you can simply sit and enjoy the sight of the birds – or you can hone your ornithology skills by keeping a list of the different kinds of birds you see! People with restricted mobility can enjoy this accessible hobby from the comfort of their own home or garden.

This is one of the major benefits of feeding the birds. If you’ve never experienced the thrill of running to the window to spot an unusual bird in your garden, then you really should give it a try. 

5. Keeping UK bird species off the endangered list

While you might not see any immediate benefit from this on a personal level, this is possibly the most important point on this list. In the long run, preserving diversity in bird species is incredibly important for the ecosystem.

Birds help keep the population of small creatures they eat (like mice) from becoming a problem. Birds are also prey for a lot of wildlife. The loss of even one species of bird can have a significant impact on our entire ecosystem. By feeding your local birds – and putting up nest boxes to give them a safe place to rest – you can contribute to the preservation of bird populations.

SEE ALSO: Endangered UK Birds & How You Can Help Them

How to start feeding the birds

Interested in the above benefits of feeding birds? It’s really easy to turn these ideas into a reality. You can start feeding birds healthy and nutritious food with very little effort.

Firstly, pick out a bird feeder that suits your garden. We offer a great range for you to choose from, including both hanging feeders and bird tables. You might also consider putting up nesting boxes, which can offer your birds a place to shelter. It's also important to put out some clean water for birds to drink and clean with!

Once you’re ready to start shopping, simply click the button below to discover our huge range of bird seeds.

Shop Bird Food   More Bird Feeding Tips

It is a common misconception that, for birds, a healthy diet consists of seeds and nothing else.

It’s true that most birds enjoy seeds, but many bird species have evolved to eat a range of different foods, from seeds to insects to fruit.

So why are seeds such a staple? And what else is on the menu? Read on to find out!

Which Garden Birds Eat Seeds?

Seed-eating birds tend to have specially-adapted bills that can crack open hard seed coatings and get to the nutritious and tasty interior. For example, birds like finches and sparrows have conical bills that are perfect for munching on seeds.

Pigeons and doves will also happily consume a wide range of seeds, although they are also known to eat insects, fruits and even human food scraps.

Which Garden Birds Don’t Eat Seeds?

Some birds – like robins, swallows, blackbirds and warblers – don’t have a hard beak to crack open seeds. These birds are known as ‘softbills’ and tend to be insectivorous, primarily eating small insects like beetles, worms, caterpillars and flies.

Softbills will also happily eat fruit, suet and special softbill bird foods like naked oats and mealworms.

Why Do Birds Eat Seeds?

Seeds are packed with essential nutrients that birds need to survive, and different types of seed offer different health benefits to birds. For example, sunflower seeds are an oil-rich source of protein, vitamins and minerals, providing long-lasting energy for garden birds – something that is essential for the colder winter months. The husks of sunflower seeds can even be removed, leaving the ‘sunflower heart’ behind, a treat that even softbill birds can enjoy!

Another reason why birds eat seeds is because they’re often abundant and relatively easy for birds to find. Particularly during the autumn and spring, many plants produce seeds as part of their reproductive cycle, leaving a wide variety of goodies behind for birds to scoop up, store and eat. Plus, compared to other food sources like insects and fruits, seeds are a reliable food source that can be found all year round.

So, next time you’re filling your bird feeders, consider varying the food you put out so that every bird species visiting your garden can find a tasty snack. Here at Really Wild Bird Food, we stock a wide range of different bird feeds, including seeds, mealworms, suet and so much more!

Use the button below to browse our bird food range and treat your garden birds to a proper buffet!

Shop Bird Foods

If you regularly feed the birds or you're planning to start, it is crucial that you know what not to feed wild birds and why. Feeding birds any of these items can potentially cause them harm and so should be avoided.

Bread

Most of us have probably fed birds bread at some point in our lives and while bread isn't immediately harmful to wild birds, it lacks nutritional value and therefore can lead to malnutrition if consumed in excess. This is why nowadays it is not recommended to feed wild birds' bread – even if you have some leftover!

Chocolate

Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, both of which are toxic to birds (in the same way that they are toxic to dogs!). These compounds can lead to seizures, heart arrhythmias and even death in wild birds and so should never be offered as foods!

Onion & Garlic

Both onion and garlic, even in small amounts, can damage a bird's red blood cells and digestion, leading to potentially fatal anaemia and weakness.

Dairy

Most wild birds are lactose intolerant, meaning they cannot properly digest dairy products. Birds can suffer gastrointestinal upset and diarrhoea from even small amounts of milk, cheese or yoghurt, so it is best to avoid these foods completely.

Salt

In the same way that too much salt can be bad for humans, salty foods can be bad for wild birds. Natural foods in the wild contain very little salt, so birds have not adapted to eating it. Feeding wild birds' salty food ( and that would include things like salted peanuts! ) can therefore cause serious health issues, like dehydration and organ failure.

Avocado

Avocados contain Persin, an anti-fungal toxin that can cause heart damage, respiratory distress and even death in birds. Although the exact levels of Persin vary in different parts of the avocado, it's best to keep avocados away from wild birds completely.

Whole Peanuts

Offering whole peanuts can pose a serious choking risk to wild birds, particularly chicks, therefore they should always be offered in a rigid mesh feeder to prevent chicks from choking on large pieces. This is especially important during fledgling season where adults can easily take whole peanuts back to the nest for their young.

Fruit Pits

The pits or seeds of certain fruits like cherries, peaches and apricots contain low levels of cyanide, which is toxic to birds. They can also be a choking risk and therefore should be avoided altogether.

Desiccated Coconut

Desiccated coconut can swell up when it reaches the stomach and cause birds serious discomfort and sometimes even death. This is why any bird seeds containing desiccated coconut should be avoided.

Mouldy Food

Spoiled seed and mouldy food can be harmful for birds, leading to diseases and illness in the same way that it does for humans. If it's too mouldy for you to eat, they probably won't want to eat it either!

So, What Can I Feed Wild Birds?

• Bird seed mixes
  
  
• Mealworms
  
  
• Suet and fat balls
  
  
• Bird-friendly peanuts

At Really Wild Bird Food, our bird seed offers unparalleled nutritional quality and cleanliness – your local birds just won't be able to resist!

If you're wondering what you can feed your local birds from your kitchen, check out our blog post What Kitchen Scraps Can I Feed To My Birds?

And if you have any further questions about what not to feed wild birds, please don't hesitate to contact us and a member of our team will be happy to help.

Shop Bird Food

Very shortly there will be lots of hungry mouths to feed - so be ready for the youngsters!‌   

This is the time of year when garden bird numbers start to climb as fledglings appear en-masse. This is also the most critical time of year to offer high quality, easily digestible food, especially if the weather is cold and the insect population is low. 

That is because if you feed more youngsters now - you will have more adults all year - it is a simple fact!

Here are some ideas for you to help fill those hungry beaks over the next few months!

High Energy Fledgling Mix™

Our High Energy Fledgling Mix™ is our mini-bite seed mix for fledglings with little beaks. So make sure you stock up ahead of a really busy time for garden birds and their families.

• Loved by Sparrows!
  
  
• Mini bites make easy feeding
  
  
• It is highly digestible
  
  
• Ultra High Energy
  
  
• No Mess Mix - everything will be eaten
  
  
• It's homemade by us 
  
  
• It tastes delicious!

PLUS FAST, FREE DELIVERY WITH EVERY SACK!

Buy Fledgling Mix Here >>

Mini Suet Pellets

Order This Week and SAVE 10%*

Delicious bite-size Mini Suet Pellets for little beaks

• Peanut flavour with a hint of berry
  
  
• With added calcium for developing bones
  
  
• High fat releases immediate energy
  
  
• Soft consistency means easily digestible
  
  
• Free Delivery

From £8.95 with Fast Free Delivery!

( * Offer Ends 31st March 2025 )

SAVE 10% when you buy Mini Suet Pellets this week >>

Live Mealworms 

Live Mealworms are a great source of protein and water for young chicks!

Read my vet page on feeding live mealworms; it's easy to do and hugely beneficial to many families.

Our mealworms are British Born and Bred!

From only £14.65

Order the Wrigglers here  >>>>

Many thanks for your business

Enjoy Your Birds!

Very best wishes,

Lesley

Use discount code GARDENSHOP20 to get 20% Off Everything in our Garden Shop‌  

Treat Your Mum to something special with our great selection of Mother's Day Gifts!

Charcoal                                            Stone

 These stylish 'feed the birds' storage tins and accompanying FREE 2kg of our new Tidy Garden Crunch™ seed mix. Practical and Delicious! There is a choice of 2 colours.

Going like hotcakes this year so be quick before they are all gone!

We can include a lovely hand -written card with all Mother's Day gifts. Just tell us what message you would like to send and we will do the rest! 

SAVE £8. NOW ONLY £29.90 ( RRP £37.90 )

SAVE £8 HERE >>>>

SAVE £15 when you buy one of our Mum's Gardener's Bundles! Practical and stylish, the bundle includes Sophie Conran gardening gloves and Kent and Stowe trowel and fork. Choice of navy or grey gloves.

PLUS a lovely hand written card. 

SAVE £15 on this great bundle!  NOW ONLY £19.95 ( RRP £34.95)

SAVE £15 HERE >>>>

A Cute Gift .... for your Mum and her Robins!

"I Love Robins" Ceramic Dish with a FREE 1kg of Deluxe Robin Crumble™ ( well - an empty dish is no fun! ) 

ONLY £14.95 ( plus a hand-written card if you tell us what you would like to say )

Find It Here! >>>

SAVE 20% on everything in our Garden Shop Collection 

( it's not just gardening things! ) 

Just Enter Code GARDENSHOP20 at checkout to make your savings!

With very best wishes,

Enjoy Your Birds!

Lesley

Yes, sunflower hearts are good for birds! Sunflower hearts (that is, sunflower seeds with their husks removed) provide essential nutrition and calories, which is particularly important during winter but can be helpful all year round. A wide variety of birds enjoy eating sunflower hearts, so if you put some out in your garden, you should find that they disappear very quickly!

Read on for more reasons to feed sunflower hearts to your garden birds.

Sunflower hearts are high in calories.

Wild birds require high-calorie foods like sunflower hearts (which are rich in oil and protein) to survive cold spells and keep themselves warm. In the UK, this is relevant throughout the year because of our famously unpredictable weather — you never know when the temperature is going to plummet!

Sunflower hearts are easy to eat.

Whole sunflower seeds are also high in calories, but sunflower hearts have the added benefit of being easier for birds to eat. Some birds struggle to remove the shells from sunflower seeds, so why not do the job for them and put out sunflower hearts that have already had their shells removed?

Put simply: by offering shell-free sunflower seeds, you’re enabling a wider variety of birds to access the health benefits of sunflower hearts!

Sunflower hearts make less mess.

On a related note, sunflower hearts aren’t just good for birds – they’re also good for your garden! The shells (or husks) from sunflower seeds will often end up littering the area beneath your feeding table or bird feeder. This can be messy to look at and could also potentially attract pests.

Rather than wasting time cleaning up all of those shells, go with sunflower hearts. These are great for staying tidy (which is why they’re a key ingredient in our best-selling Tidy Garden Mix™).

Sunflower hearts are perfect for combining with other seeds.

Just like humans, birds require a varied diet. Sunflower hearts are good for birds, but an even better option is to offer a seed mix that combines sunflower hearts with other nutritious ingredients. This way, birds can enjoy the healthy fat and energy provided by sunflower hearts, while still getting vital nutrients and minerals from other seeds.

By including sunflower hearts in your seed mixes, you are helping birds to enjoy a high-energy, healthy diet!

Ready to start serving sunflower hearts?

As we’ve established, sunflower hearts are very good for birds when they are enjoyed as part of a varied diet. High-calorie bird feeds like sunflower hearts help to keep our feathered friends in robust health, especially during the winter and other cold periods.

If you want to add some sunflower hearts to your bird feeding station, we’ve got some great options for you here at Really Wild Bird Food. We offer premium sunflower hearts, as well as sunflower heart chips for smaller birds and fledglings. Use the buttons below to shop healthy sunflower hearts for your garden birds.

Premium Sunflower Hearts   Sunflower Heart Chips

Mother's Day (Sunday 15th March 2026) is a special time of year that gives us an opportunity to honour and celebrate the women in our life.

If your mum loves to feed her garden birds, we've got a great selection of bird-themed gifts that are perfect for Mother's Day. Visit our GIFT IDEAS page or scroll down for inspiration!

We are excited to announce that we have added another fantastic seed mix to our range of no-mess bird foods. It's called Tidy Garden Crunch™ and your garden birds will love it!

Tidy Garden Crunch™ combines our best-selling Tidy Garden Mix™ with lots of crunchy mealworms. The result is a nutritious, high-protein bird food that will help your birds to lay quality eggs, raise strong and healthy chicks, and lay down fine feathers when autumn arrives.

This delicious new bird food mix is a great choice for spring and summer feeding. Your garden birds will go wild for it!

All of the products in our Tidy Garden™ range are husk free, non-germinating and 'no mess'. You will find that everything is eaten up, leaving your birds totally satisfied and your garden totally tidy!

SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY OFFER! Save 15% by entering the code CRUNCHTIME15 at the checkout.

Buy NEW Tidy Garden Crunch™ >>

It's crunch time!

You can feed Tidy Garden Crunch™ from...

• A hanging seed feeder
• A ground feeder
• A bird table
• Or a feeding station

Most garden birds will love this new recipe—especially tits, finches, sparrows, robins, dunnocks, siskins, goldfinches, blackbirds, starlings, wrens and woodpeckers.

DON'T FORGET! Enter the code CRUNCHTIME15 at the checkout to take advantage of our introductory offer. This will give you a 15% discount on our new Tidy Garden Crunch™ mix.

Enjoy your birds!

With best wishes,
Lesley