Have your Backyard Birds ever turned up their beaks at food you’ve put out for them?

Maybe life got in the way, and you bought the bird seed that you saw at a store where you were getting other items. Or maybe, you decided to try something you saw that was a little bit cheaper than Wild Birds Unlimited.

It turns out, the birds have a refined palate, and their taste buds love Wild Birds Unlimited food. And yes, we checked, birds really do have taste buds. You can read more about birds Taste in this article from the National Audubon Society.

There is a bit more to it than just taste buds, though. Birds are efficient. They are also keenly aware of nutritional benefits and quality. What does that mean for food considerations?

Ingredients: The Labels Tell the Tale
Since birds are efficient, foods that have too much filler are not going to be as attractive to them. Many of us are all about reading the label for our food, and it is important that we do so for the birds’ food, too. Many other bird seed blends contain ingredients that birds do not like and are not beneficial to their nutrition needs (remember, they are efficient), which means a lot of food can go to waste, and the birds are less likely to enjoy your bird feeder. Other bird food labels contain ingredients like oats, wheat, milo, and cracked corn, which most birds don’t love.

The old adage: “you get what you pay for” is true. While other seed mixes may have a lower price tag sometimes, it is often lower quality, leading to wasted food, less birds attracted, more mess at your feeder, and the birds suffer from lack of nutritional benefits. In other words, it is less bang for your buck. That same filler that costs less to add to the mix makes the mix less valuable all the way to the feeder.

So if filler is bad, what do our seed mixes contain? Take a look at this label for Hot Pepper Super Suet.

Hot Pepper Super Suet is a great example of foods that are made to be eaten by the right backyard friends. Hot Pepper helps deter the animals that you don’t want, while still being bird-approved. We know it is not just about who you don’t want at your feeder, though.

The Right Food for the Right Birds
Most of us want to attract a large variety of birds, and sometimes there is that elusive bird that is not coming. Even high quality bird foods are not one-size-fits-all. Goldfinches love Nyjer (thistle) and fine sunflower chips. Our Finch Blend is designed with the Goldfinches in mind, providing high quality food that is most attractive to them.

You might seek white millet in our blends. For the right kind of bird, that is okay! Ground-dwelling birds love white millet.

So why do the birds love Wild Birds Unlimited food?

Because it is designed with them in mind. The food is high quality, with nutritional and taste benefits that keep them coming back to the feeder for more! Don’t forget to give the birds what they love, and you’ll love seeing them come to your feeder(s) more!