Wagner’s Songbird Supreme is the best mixed bird seed for wild birds.
Mixed bird seed is composed of several different varieties of seeds.
(I often prefer just one type of seed to a feeder to attract just certain birds. For instance, Black oil sunflower seeds for finches and chickadees. Or safflower seeds for cardinals. Or Niger seeds for goldfinches.)
But for general bird feeding, all-types of birds welcome, mixed bird seed in a hopper feeder is the simplest way to go.
Wagner’s Songbird Supreme Premium Wild Bird Food is my favorite choice for mixed bird seed. It’s what I buy.
This is the perfect bird seed for setting up your first bird feeder. Read my article on setting up a bird feeder.
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Look at all the sunflower seeds! No filler! |
Ingredients
Songbird Supreme is 50% sunflower seeds: black oil, striped, and hulled chips.
Read my article on different kinds of sunflower seeds for birds.
Sunflower seeds are the favorite seeds of almost all seed eating birds. House Finches, American Goldfinches, Black-capped Chickadees, and White-breasted Nuthatches love black oil sunflower seeds. These are the birds I most want at my feeder.
For some of the smaller sparrows, it has white proso millet, a favorite of juncos, white-crowned sparrows, and towhees.
The Songbird Supreme also has a few safflower seeds and peanut kernels.
Northern Cardinals love safflower seeds. Chickadees will also eat it.
Peanuts are a favorite of jays, nuthatches and woodpeckers.
But, really, it is the combination of black oil sunflower seeds and white proso millet that makes this Wagner’s Songbird Supreme brand my clear choice for the title of best bird food.
Read my article discussing sunflower seeds and white millet as attracting the most birds.

No wasted bird seed filler!
To save money, many bird seed brands contain filler: cheap seeds and grains that most birds don’t eat. It is chicken scratch. If you’re feeding a bunch of wild quail and doves on the ground, then, sure, this is what you want. But not in your bird feeder.
Wagner’s Songbird Supreme bird food has absolutely no filler!
Examples of filler seeds you don’t want in your bird seed mixture includes cracked corn, wheat, oats, and especially red milo.
Many of the cheap mixed bird seeds contain red milo. Some varieties of bird seed contain up to 40% milo! This seed only favored by the non-native–and very messy–House Sparrows. California Quail and Mourning Doves also eat it.
Birds often throw milo out on the ground trying to get to something better. Then it sprouts and starts a new mess.
Read my related article: 14 Tips to keep bird seed from sprouting in your lawn.
No cheap milo in the Songbird Supreme mix. Very nice.
Another cheap filler seed is cracked corn. Jays, doves, and quail like this. Other birds will leave it to last, if they eat it at all. Wagner’s Songbird Supreme doesn’t have any of this space-waster.
What birds eat cracked corn? Read my article.
Wrapping Up
Sunflower seeds offer several advantages over cracked corn for feeding birds:
Nutrition:
- Higher fat and protein content: Sunflower seeds are packed with protein and fat, essential for birds’ energy, especially during harsh winters or migration. Cracked corn is primarily carbohydrates, offering less overall nutritional value.
- More balanced nutrients: Sunflower seeds contain essential vitamins and minerals like vitamin E, magnesium, and phosphorus, beneficial for bird health. Cracked corn lacks these micronutrients.
Accessibility:
- Easier to eat: Sunflower seeds have a thin shell that most birds can crack open easily. Cracked corn kernels are smaller and harder to manipulate, particularly for smaller birds with weaker beaks.
- Less waste: Birds tend to eat all of a sunflower seed, leaving little to no mess. Cracked corn often gets scattered or wasted as birds pick out the easier-to-eat pieces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do birds prefer sunflower seeds or peanuts?
The answer to whether birds prefer sunflower seeds or peanuts depends on the bird species. Both have their own unique pros and cons that appeal to different birds:
Sunflower Seeds:
Pros:
- Higher in nutritional value: Rich in fat, protein, and beneficial vitamins and minerals.
- Easier to eat: Most birds can easily crack open the shell.
- Less waste: Birds typically eat the entire seed, leaving little mess.
- Attract a wider variety of birds: Popular choice for chickadees, nuthatches, finches, cardinals, and more.
Cons:
- Can attract squirrels: More appealing to squirrels than peanuts due to the higher fat content.
- May spread diseases: Sunflower seed shells can harbor pathogens if feeders are not cleaned regularly.
Peanuts:
Pros:
- Rich in protein and healthy fats: Good source of energy, especially for larger birds.
- Longer shelf life: More resistant to mold and spoilage than sunflower seeds.
- Can attract larger birds: Jays, woodpeckers, crows, and chickadees enjoy them.
Cons:
- Harder to eat: Requires stronger beaks to crack open the shell.
- More waste: Birds often discard peanut shells, creating more mess.
- Can attract undesirable pests: May attract raccoons and other animals looking for an easy meal.
- Potential choking hazard: Unshelled peanuts pose a choking hazard for smaller birds.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your goals and your local bird population:
- If you want to attract a wider variety of birds: Choose sunflower seeds.
- If you want to attract larger birds: Offer peanuts (shelled for smaller birds).
- If you want to avoid attracting squirrels: Stick with sunflower seeds and use feeders with squirrel baffles.
- Consider a mix: Offering both can cater to a broader range of species while managing mess and unwanted visitors.
Do birds prefer shelled or unshelled sunflower seeds?
The answer to whether birds prefer shelled or unshelled sunflower seeds actually depends on several factors, including the type of bird, their beak size and strength, and even the season! Here’s a breakdown:
Shelled Sunflower Seeds:
Pros:
- Easier to eat: Birds with smaller beaks or less beak strength find them easier to access the nutritious kernel. This includes popular backyard birds like finches, chickadees, and nuthatches.
- Less mess: No shells left behind, so less cleaning for you and less clutter under your feeders.
- More hygienic: Shells can harbor bacteria and fungi, while shelled seeds reduce such risks.
Cons:
- More expensive: You’re paying for both the seed and the processing to remove the shell.
- Faster spoilage: Exposed kernels deteriorate faster than those protected by shells, especially in warm weather.
- Potentially less attractive: Some birds seem to enjoy the challenge and reward of cracking open unshelled seeds.
Unshelled Sunflower Seeds:
Pros:
- More economical: Lower cost per pound, as you’re getting both the seed and the shell.
- Slower spoilage: Shells offer some protection from the elements and can help preserve the seeds for longer.
- More natural food source: Birds might find their natural foraging instincts stimulated by having to work for the reward.
Cons:
- More difficult to eat: Birds with smaller beaks might struggle to crack them open.
- Messier: Empty shells accumulate under feeders, requiring more frequent cleaning.
- Potential health risks: Shells can harbor pathogens if feeders aren’t kept clean.
So, who wins?
- For smaller birds: Shelled seeds are generally easier to manage and provide the necessary nutrition.
- For larger birds: Unshelled seeds offer a challenge and a richer reward.
- For convenience and hygiene: Shelled seeds might be simpler, but consider their faster spoilage.
- For budget-conscious birders: Unshelled seeds offer more value for the money.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your priorities and the birds you want to attract. You could even experiment with offering both types and see which ones disappear faster! Remember to keep your feeders clean regardless of your choice to maintain a healthy environment for your feathered friends.
What bird seeds to avoid?
While there aren’t necessarily seeds that are harmful to birds, there are definitely some types you should avoid offering in bird feeders as they offer little nutritional value, create mess, or attract unwanted visitors. Here are some to keep off your shopping list:
Seeds to avoid:
- Filler seeds: These include millet, oats, and milo. They’re cheap for manufacturers but offer little nutritional value for birds. Birds often discard them, creating waste and frustration.
- Cracked corn: Although some birds like it, its high carbohydrate content isn’t particularly healthy. It attracts larger, less desirable birds like pigeons and starlings and leaves a lot of mess.
- Dyed seeds: Avoid any seeds with artificial colors or flavors. These chemicals can be harmful to birds and offer no additional benefit.
- Suet with unhealthy ingredients: Look for suet cakes made with natural ingredients like nuts, fruits, and insects. Avoid those containing processed fillers, sugars, or preservatives.
- Bread and kitchen scraps: While birds might eat them, these lack the proper nutrition needed for their health. They can also spoil quickly and attract unwanted animals like rodents.
I've read that rats don't care for this seed. Is that true? I now have a rat infestation from feeding birds.
Unfortunately, I don't know of any bird foods that rats won't eat.
If you have rat problem, the best recommendation I have is to stop feeding the birds. Clean up any other sources that attract them. Once the rats are gone, try again later.
See my article on making bird feeding less messy.
https://whatbirdsareinmybackyard.com/2021/04/end-mess-of-feeding-wild-birds.html
HOW WILL I KNOW IF THIS HAPPENS TO ME? WHAT ARE THE SIGNS??? Oh My gosh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would be Horrified if rats became a problem for me!!!!! i have had a rat indoor infestation once and it was a nightmare!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 And to stop feeding my little feathered friends, would really really upset me!!!!! I wake up to them being fed 2 feet away from my window! And newting qll over my back patio around the corner to my other bedroom window!!! I have a bad back and spend lots of time lying on my bed on my side, sl close to watching my friends!!! How will I know IF I have a rat problem???????????
Danna,
bird food only tends to show up a rat problem that already exists.
Does your property or neighbors have dilapidated, abandoned buildings or cars, piles of trash?
There are outdoor rat traps you could set up and see.
Don't over-feed. Keep seed spills under the feeder cleaned up. Use hanging tube feeders, rather than hopper or platform feeders.