The Ultimate Guide to Wild Bird Food (UK 2026)

4 min read
The Ultimate Guide to Wild Bird Food (UK 2026)

If you’ve ever stood in the bird food aisle feeling a bit lost, you’re not alone. Between all the mixes, seed types and suet blocks, it’s easy to wonder what your garden birds actually want. This guide makes it simple. Whether you’ve been feeding birds for years or you’re just starting out, here’s how to keep your garden buzzing with life all year round.

Why quality matters

Not all bird food is created equal. Many cheap mixes are bulked out with wheat or barley that small birds won’t touch—they just kick it to the ground. What you want are energy-rich seeds like sunflower hearts, hemp, nyjer, and a bit of suet or mealworm for protein. Think of it like this: a few handfuls of the right seed do far more good than a whole feeder of filler.

What different seeds are good for

Type of food Loved by Notes
Sunflower hearts Blue tits, great tits, finches, nuthatches Packed with energy and leave no mess beneath the feeder
Hemp seed Sparrows, finches, greenfinches A natural oil-rich seed that supports glossy plumage and energy
Nyjer seed Goldfinches, siskins Tiny and oily, perfect for fine-mesh feeders
Suet and fat balls Robins, wrens, tits High-fat food ideal for colder months
Mealworms or insect mix Robins, blackbirds, starlings Excellent source of protein, especially in spring
Crushed peanuts Woodpeckers, tits, nuthatches Always use crushed or grated peanuts for safety
Fruit and berries Blackbirds, thrushes Leave windfall apples or plant berry bushes like hawthorn and cotoneaster

A mix of these foods will bring real variety to your garden, from the busy blue tit to the bold robin.

Feeding through the seasons

In spring, birds are building nests and raising chicks, so protein is vital. Mealworms, sunflower hearts and soft suet all help them stay strong. Keep feeders clean and topped up, as bacteria spreads more easily in warmer weather.

Summer is when natural food is at its best, so you can ease off a little. Offer smaller amounts of seed and put out a shallow dish of water for bathing and drinking. Avoid suet on hot days—it can melt or turn rancid quickly.

Autumn is a time of change. Birds are moulting and storing fat for the colder months, so energy-rich seed mixes and suet blocks are perfect. If you grow sunflowers, leave the seed heads for them to pick clean.

Winter is the hardest season of all. Food is scarce and birds burn huge amounts of energy to stay warm. Fill feeders daily with high-oil seeds and suet, and make sure water isn’t frozen over. This is when your efforts really make a difference.

A word on sustainability

How we feed birds matters as much as what we feed them. Try to choose seed grown in the UK or nearby to cut down on food miles. Go for mixes without cheap fillers that end up wasted, and packaging that’s compostable or recyclable. Support brands that care about wildlife conservation and the wider environment.

That’s the approach we take at A Little Bird Co—quality seed, sustainably sourced, packed in compostable bags and delivered with as little waste as possible.

How our blends compare

RSPB offers a wide range of blends and supports vital conservation work. Really Wild Bird Food grows its seed on its own farm and has a strong focus on variety. CJ Wildlife is well known for its specialist feeds for specific species. At A Little Bird Co, we create small-batch seasonal blends designed for the birds most likely to visit your UK garden. Everything we sell is sustainable, low-waste and made with compostable packaging.

Different brands suit different people, but if you care about sustainability, small birds and avoiding waste, we’re proud to tick every box.

Quick FAQs

Do I need to feed birds all year? 
Yes, though what you offer should change with the seasons—smaller amounts in summer and more in winter.

Can I feed bread to the birds? 
Birds don't get any nutritional benefit from bread - it's filling, but it doesn't support them like a good blend of food would.

How often should I clean feeders?
Weekly, with warm soapy water. It helps prevent bacteria and mould, which can spread diseases - you can find out more about keeping your feeders clear in our blog.

Do birds need water in winter?
Absolutely. Break the ice on bird baths or pour warm (not boiling) water over them in the morning.

Keep it simple, keep it kind

Feeding garden birds isn’t about perfection. It’s about noticing, adjusting, and enjoying the small visitors that brighten your day. A feeder filled with good seed and a patch of shrubs can make your garden feel alive again. You can browse our Seasonal Bird Food Blends, designed to suit the time of year and attract the birds that need your help most.

Clare Cahill

Thank you for reading!

Clare Cahill is an bird enthusiast with a passion for observing and learning. While she definitely doesn’t have a formal degree in ornithology, Clare has dedicated hours to reading birding books and exploring nature, constantly expanding her knowledge and deepening her love for wildlife.

For Clare, birdwatching brings a sense of calm and connection to the world, offering a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. She believes that the more we connect with nature, the more we can do to protect and conserve it. Through her writing, Clare hopes to inspire others to take a moment to pause, look up, and appreciate the calm and connection that comes from letting a little wildness into our everyday lives.

About A Little Bird Co.

The seasonal bird food brand

We're a little company, supporting little birds. Find out more about what sets us apart.

  • What to feed the birds in summer

    Seasonal

    Birds have different dietary needs throughout the year, from nesting to moulting and surviving colder months. To support these changes, we’ve created seasonal blends – order a Seasonal Bird Food bag, and we’ll adjust the blend to match the season, making it easy to do something great for the birds.

  • Child holding bag of seasonal A Little Bird Co. bird food.

    Sustainable

    Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. We don't farm, process, and transport cheap filler ingredients that birds simply kick to the floor. Instead, we focus on premium ingredients they love. Our packaging is compostable, and our bird feeders and nest boxes are tested for durability and longevity.

  • Songbird

    We design our food and select our range of feeders with little birds in mind. Every ingredient in our blends is chosen because small birds love it, simplifying your bird feeding routine. Our feeders provide safe access to food while helping to keep out larger, more dominant species. Look out for robins, blue tits, wrens, finches and more visiting your garden for our food.

  • Support

    With birds in your garden, you’re never alone - they’re the friends who always visit. Feeding them supports wildlife conservation while bringing joy and calm. Whether spotting a new species or simply watching their daily routines, just ten minutes a day strengthens your connection with nature and boosts your wellbeing.

When life feels busy, the birds keep it simple.

There’s something lovely about how feeding the birds becomes part of the rhythm of your day. A scoop of seed, a clean dish of water - and then a pause, just to watch who turns up. It doesn’t have to take long, but those moments can be surprisingly grounding. A little burst of mindfulness, fresh air, a chance to notice your garden as it changes throughout the seasons, and the cheerful flutter of wings - it’s good for the soul.

Join our flock of bird enthusiasts who share a passion for sustainable and thoughtful bird feeding.

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Shop our bestsellers

From our popular seasonal bird food to the Squirrel Buster squirrel resistant bird feeder, our range is designed to help you to create a haven for little birds in your garden.