Whether you have one feeder in your yard or a full backyard wildlife oasis, feeding the birds adds a little joy to every day. Here are a few simple ways to make your bird feeding budget go further—without short-changing the birds.
Choose Foods Birds Actually Eat
Some bargain seed blends look like a deal at first glance, but they often include a high percentage of filler grains (like milo, wheat and oats) that many backyard songbirds tend to ignore. That means more uneaten seed on the ground, more mess under feeders, and more waste.
Switch to No-Mess Blends
Traditional blends often include seeds still in the shell—which means a portion of what you’re paying for is “packaging,” not food. Our WBU No-Mess Blends use shelled ingredients, so you’re paying for the part birds eat. Pound-for-pound, that can be one of the best values in bird feeding. Bonus: the birds eat everything, so there’s far less clean-up.
Use Seed Cylinders for Long-Lasting Feeding
Seed Cylinders are tightly packed with high-quality bird food, so they last longer and feed more birds with less waste. They’re also one of the easiest ways to feed—just pop one into a cylinder feeder. Many blends are available, including options with hot pepper to help deter critters.
Protect Your Food from Waste
A little protection goes a long way. Baffles and cages help keep food away from squirrels and other critters, and can also reduce access for nuisance birds like starlings and grackles. Weather guards help keep rain and snow from spoiling seed and suet—so more of what you put out actually gets eaten.
Feed a Little at a Time
Feeders are a helpful daily supplement to natural diets—not the birds’ only food source. It’s perfectly fine to offer a smaller amount more often instead of keeping feeders full all the time. Even if it only lasts a few hours, a scoop or two each day (ideally when you can watch) is often more enjoyable for you, and helps keep food fresher.
Join Our Daily Savings Club!
One of the easiest ways to stretch your bird feeding budget is to join our Daily Savings Club®. For your annual membership fee, you’ll receive:
- 15% OFF regular-priced bird food every day
- 5% OFF sale-priced bird food
- $10 Bird Buck coupon for every $200 spent throughout the store
- Members-only specials
It’s a simple way to keep your birds happy and your budget on track.