Backyard Birds — Creature Feast

Popular Safe Foods

Commonly enjoyed by backyard birdss — tap for prep guides and safety details

37%

20%

15%

10%

🌻

Black oil sunflower seed Thin shell, high fat — the universal favourite Cardinals, chickadees, finches, nuthatches, grosbeaks — 40+ species

37%

🧈

Suet & fat Suet cakes; essential in autumn & winter Woodpeckers, wrens, jays, nuthatches

20%

🐛

Mealworms & insects Live or dried; vital during nesting season Bluebirds, robins, wrens, thrushes

15%

🌾

Nyjer (thistle) seed Offered in a separate mesh feeder Goldfinches, pine siskins, redpolls

10%

🥜

Peanuts & nuts Unsalted, in-shell or halved Jays, woodpeckers, titmice, nuthatches

🌽

Cracked corn & millet Scattered on ground or platform feeder Sparrows, juncos, towhees, doves

🍊

Fruit Halved oranges, soaked raisins, apple slices Orioles, tanagers, mockingbirds, waxwings

💧 Fresh water: shallow dish, changed daily; birdbath ideal 🍯 Nectar: 1 part sugar to 4 parts water, changed every 2–3 days — hummingbirds, orioles

Spring & Summer: Birds are raising families — mealworms become especially important for protein-hungry hatchlings.

Autumn & Winter: High-fat, high-calorie foods like suet help birds maintain body temperature on the coldest days.

Year-round: Clean feeders weekly with mild bleach solution and dry thoroughly to prevent disease. Never feed bread.

Backyard wild birds · General feeder guide · Varies by species & season · Not medical advice

18 foods your backyard birds should never eat.