The benefits of feeding seeds

The benefits of feeding seeds

Seeds are highly beneficial to our garden birds for several important reasons:

High-energy

Seeds such as sunflower hearts and black sunflower seeds are rich in fats and calories, helping birds to maintain energy, particularly in winter when natural food is scarce.

Favoured by different species

Different types of seeds attract different types of birds. Goldfinch, tits, sparrows and robins like sunflower hearts, goldfinch and siskins are keen on niger seed, while sparrows, dunnocks, collared doves and pigeons favour mixed seeds.

Easy to digest

Many seeds are free from husks or have thin husks, making them easy for small birds to eat and digest quickly.

Support birds during the breeding season

During spring and early summer, nesting birds need easy to access nutrient-rich food to keep them going between feeding their chicks. Seeds supplement their diet so that they can stay healthy while hunting for insects for their young.

Important during moulting

Shedding and replacing feathers takes lots of energy. High-fat seeds support birds as they get through this demanding process.

A natural diet

Seeds form part of a bird’s natural diet as they forage for seeds from grasses, flowers and trees. Garden feeders help to replicate their natural year-round food source.

Helps to survive harsh weather

Provide a reliable food source when insects and plants are unavailable.