Bird food

Bird food or bird seed is food (often varieties of seeds, nuts, and/or dried fruits) intended for consumption by wild and domestic birds. While most bird food is fed to commercial fowl (such as chickens or turkey), bird food is also used to feed pet birds or to provide a feeding site for wild birds.

The various types of bird food reflect the variety of species of bird, which may be carnivores, herbivores, insectivores, nectarivores, etc. Bird food can also vary to correspond to the feeding strategies employed by different beak shapes in cracking the seed coat and obtaining the meat of the seed.

Black-oil sunflower seeds attract the widest variety of birds, and are commonly used in backyard bird feeders. Using different varieties of seeds can help attract specific types of birds to gardens and backyards. In general, mixtures predominantly containing red millet, oats, and other "fillers" are not attractive to most birds and can lead to waste as the birds sort through the mix, as well as the potential for fungal and bacterial growth.

While popular, bird feeders carry potential risks for the birds that feed there, including disease, malnutrition, and predation by animals. Researchers recommend that bird feeders be disinfected every time they are refilled.