Bird Food

Support your garden birds all year round with the best quality bird food blended for every season. From fledglings in spring to energy-rich winter mixes, our expertly curated blends and recleaned seeds help birds thrive no matter the weather. Discover the best bird food for your feeders and the changing needs of birds, from summer protein to winter calories.

For the best bird food read on...
Robin on a wicker basket full of bird food
Ark Hearty™ Mixes Peanuts Garden Wildlife Bundles Sunflower Seeds Suet

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  • Live Mealworms for Birds; Live Mealworms; Blackbird feeding on Live Mealworms Robin with 2 mealworms in beak

    Live Mealworms

    From £9.25
    From £9.25
    • Ideal for all insect eating garden birds
    • Excellent nutrition for young birds during the breeding season
    • Please Note: These items are posted directly from the Live Food Farm by Royal Mail 1st class post and do not count towards your basket total
  • Black Sunflower Seeds Two birds seeding black sunflower seeds from feeder

    Choice Black Sunflower Seeds

    From £4.35
    From £4.35
    • Caring: specifically selected seed crop for higher oil content
    • Popular: loved by a multitude of garden visitors
    • Nutritious superfood: rich in oil, protein and energy
  • Ark Ground and Table Mix Blackbird eating ark ground and table mix

    Ark Ground & Table Mix

    From £5.90
    From £5.90
    • High-quality: made with 100% natural ingredients
    • Pet safe: this blend is raisin-free to ensure no harm will come to your garden pets
    • Enticing: a mixture of high oil sunflower hearts and peanuts to attract a range of garden songbirds
  • Classic Suet Feast Blocks All three flavours of suet feast together

    Classic Insect Suet Feast Blocks

    From £12.95
    From £12.95
    • Nutritious: Added protein from dried insects
    • Supportive: These Suet Blocks provide a boost of high energy
    • Substantial: Firmer texture makes them ideal for year round feeding
  • Suet Balls with Sunflower Hearts for Birds Ark Suet Balls with Sunflower Hearts

    Ark Suet Balls with Sunflower Hearts

    From £4.95
    From £4.95
    • Highly Palatable: Suet enriched with sunflower hearts to attract the maximum number of birds
    • Attracts Greater Diversity: Perfect for robins, tits, starlings, finches, blackbirds, and other frequent garden visitors
    • No Waste: 100% edible. Clean, safe and nutritious, made without bulking agents or harmful mesh netting
  • Flutter Butter Pod Refills; Flutter Butter Pod Refills 80% less plastic; Peanut Butter for Birds; Woodpecker enjoing salt free peanut butter Flutter Butter Pod Refills; Flutter Butter Pod Refills 80% less plastic; Peanut Butter for Birds; Woodpecker enjoing salt free peanut butter

    Flutter Butter Pod Refills

    From £18.95
    From £18.95
    • Environmentally friendly: 85% less plastic than Flutter Butter® Pods
    • Nutritious: packed full of protein and calories for energy
    • Convenient: fits easily into an empty Flutter Butter® Pod
  • Ark Premium Song Bird Food

    Ark Premium Song Bird Food

    From £6.75
    From £6.75
    • Nutritious: Blackbirds, Thrushes and Robins in particular will relish this highly palatable specifically blended bird food
    • Supportive: Provides effective protein and energy to birds
    • Desirable: Blackbirds, Thrushes and Robins prefer feeding from the bird table and ground
  • Classic Mealworm Bird Suet Feast Blocks All three flavours of suet feast together

    Classic Mealworm Suet Feast Blocks

    From £12.95
    From £12.95
    • Nutritious: Made with protein packed dried mealworms & provide a boost of high energy
    • Supportive: Great value allows for generous feeding
    • Substantial: Firmer texture makes them ideal for year round feeding
  • See the Difference Mixed Bird Food Cakes; Rich Moist See the Difference Suet Cakes; Woodpecker feasting on a suet cake See the Difference Mixed Bird Food Cakes; Rich Moist See the Difference Suet Cakes; Woodpecker feasting on a suet cake

    See the Difference™ Mixed Suet Cake 340g

    From £16.95
    From £16.95
    • Ultra high fat content suet blocks with twice the fat of 10 major brands
    • Rich and moist, packed with nutritious ingredients including all three flavours, Insect, Peanut and Seed
    • Full of energy giving calories, making every trip to the bird feeder worth more
  • Flutter Peanut Butter Flavours for Birds; Flutter Peanut Butter - Buggy; Peanut Butter for Birds - Fruity; C Webster demonstrates how much birds love Flutter Butter Flutter Peanut Butter Flavours for Birds; Flutter Peanut Butter - Buggy; Peanut Butter for Birds - Fruity; C Webster demonstrates how much birds love Flutter Butter

    Flutter Peanut Butter Mixed Value Pack

    From £11.50
    From £11.50
    • Glass jar 320g, packed full of peanut protein and energy giving calories.
    • Attract more birds to your garden.
    • Quick, clean and easy to use.
  • Ark Cereal Mix for ducks chickens and geese; Pheasant eating Ark Cereal Mix pigeon on bird table eating ark cereal mix

    Ark Cereal Mix

    From £3.75
    From £3.75
    • Versatile: suitable for feeding pigeons, sparrows, pheasants and waterfowls
    • Healthy: a blend of high quality wheat, oats and cut-maize
    • Value: a cost-effective solution to larger birds eating too much of your other seed mixes
  • Large Striped Sunflower Seeds Ark Squirrel Whole Nut; Ark Squirrel Whole Nut; Ark Squirrel Whole Nut; Ark Squirrel Whole Nut

    Large Striped Sunflower Seeds

    From £5.90
    From £5.90
    • Popular: loved by squirrels and large birds
    • Nutritious: packed full of protein and energy
    • High-quality: only the best seeds make our packs
  • Flutter Butter Refills Buggy; Flutter Butter Pod Refills 80% less plastic; Peanut Butter for Birds; Woodpecker enjoing salt free peanut butter Flutter Butter Refills Buggy; Flutter Butter Pod Refills 80% less plastic; Peanut Butter for Birds; Woodpecker enjoing salt free peanut butter

    Flutter Butter Pod Refills Buggy

    From £18.95
    From £18.95
    • Environmentally friendly: 85% less plastic than Flutter Butter® Pods
    • Nutritious: packed full of extra bug protein
    • Convenient: fits easily into an empty Flutter Butter® Pod
  • Ark Table and Feeder Mix Finches eating a Ark Wildlife seed mix from caged feeder

    Ark Table & Feeder Mix

    From £5.50
    From £5.50
    • Practical: free-flowing mix won’t block tube feeders
    • Popular: attracts smaller garden birds
    • Nutritious: high-oil content gives a calorific boost to bird
  • See the Difference Insect Bird Food Cakes Blue Tits eating a suet cake

    See the Difference™ Insect Suet Cake 340g

    From £6.95
    From £6.95
    • Ultra high fat content suet blocks with twice the fat of 10 major brands
    • Rich and moist, packed with nutritious ingredients including dried insects
    • Full of energy giving calories, making every trip to the bird feeder worth more
  • Bird Food Seasonal Deal why buy seasonal bird food
    20% OFF

    Bird Food Seasonal Deal

    £56.04
    £56.04
    £70.05

    Specially selected Summer Season Pack contains:

    • 6kg Ark Hearty™ Mealworm Mix
    • 6kg Ark Premium Wild Bird Food
    • 6kg Ark Summer Support Mix
  • Flutter Butter Pods x3; Birds fight over Flutter Butter; Peanut Butter for Birds; Woodpecker enjoing salt free peanut butter Flutter Butter Pods x3; Birds fight over Flutter Butter; Peanut Butter for Birds; Woodpecker enjoing salt free peanut butter

    Flutter Peanut Butter Pods

    From £7.95
    From £7.95
    • Nutritious: packed full of peanut protein and energy-giving calories
    • Palatable: will be welcomed with enthusiasm by a wide range of bird species
    • Versatile: smear the peanut butter on a tree trunk or place the pod on a bird table
  • Peanut Butter for Birds - Buggy; Peanut Butter Feeder; Optional Flutter Butter Feeder Peanut Butter for Birds - Buggy; Peanut Butter Feeder; Optional Flutter Butter Feeder

    Flutter Peanut Butter Buggy

    From £3.95
    From £3.95
    • Glass jar 320g, packed full of peanut protein and bugs high in energy giving calories.
    • Attract more birds to your garden
    • A quick, clean and easy way to feed birds
  • Classic Bird Suet Feast Blocks All three flavours of suet feast together

    Classic Berry Suet Feast Blocks

    From £12.95
    From £12.95
    • Nutritious: 100% natural ingredients & provide a boost of high energy
    • Supportive: Great value allows for generous feeding
    • Substantial: Firmer texture makes them ideal for year round feeding
  • Ultimate best bird food bundle great value Ultimate Wild Bird Food Bundle
    15% OFF

    Ultimate Wild Bird Food Bundle

    £40.24
    £40.24
    £47.35
    • Attract More Birds to Your Garden: Our premium selection for you to attract more species, even more birds, and more often
    • Quality Nutrition: No waste, no fillers, every ingredient is premium grade and beneficial for birds, nothing goes uneaten
    • Value & Convenience: This single bundle gives you all the bird food your garden needs, simply and cost-effectively
  • See the difference insect suet tub cake 800g Long-tailed tit enjoying a suet tub cake

    See the Difference™ Insect Suet Tub Cakes 800g

    From £6.95
    From £6.95
    • Ultra high fat large suet tub cakes with twice the fat of 10 major brands
    • Rich and moist, packed with nutritious ingredients including dried insects
    • Full of energy giving calories, making every trip to the bird feeder worth more
  • Flutter Butter - Peanut butter for birds; C Webster demonstrates how much birds love Flutter Butter; Peanut Butter Feeder; Optional Flutter Butter Feeder Flutter Butter - Peanut butter for birds; C Webster demonstrates how much birds love Flutter Butter; Peanut Butter Feeder; Optional Flutter Butter Feeder

    Flutter Peanut Butter For Birds

    From £3.95
    From £3.95
    • Glass jar 320g, packed full of peanut protein and energy giving calories
    • Attract more birds to your garden
    • The quick, clean and easy way to feed birds
  • Mixed suet tub cakes, insect, mixed seeds and peanut flavours Long-tailed tit enjoying a suet tub cake

    See the Difference™ Mixed Suet Tub Cakes 800g

    From £16.95
    From £16.95
    • Ultra high fat large suet tub cakes with twice the fat of 10 major brands
    • Rich and moist, packed with nutritious ingredients including a mic of insect, seed & peanut flavours
    • Full of energy giving calories, making every trip to the bird feeder worth more
  • National Trust Insect Peanut Suet Cake

    National Trust Insect Peanut Cake 500ml

    From £4.95
    From £4.95
    • Nutritious: High energy food for all insect eating birds
    • Supportive: Every purchase contributes to the work of the National Trust
    • Easy To Use: Includes hanging hook

Showing 25-48 of 67 products

Bird Food for Every Season

Feeding birds is one of the simplest, most rewarding ways to connect with nature and it matters every day of the year. From frosty winter mornings to the high heat of summer, garden birds face seasonal challenges. That’s where we come in.

At Ark Wildlife, we offer the best overall bird food for every season, species, and situation. Whether you’re just starting out or you've been feeding birds for years, our expertly balanced blends and species-specific foods help support wildlife at every stage.

The Joy of Bird Feeding

There’s a quiet magic in feeding birds. One moment your garden is still, and the next, a burst of wings and colour fills the air. A chattering charm of goldfinches, the flash of a blue tit, or the determined hop of a robin on the lawn, all these moments bring a sense of wonder, even on an ordinary day.

Bird feeding transforms gardens into living, breathing spaces. It invites nature to come closer, and rewards us with daily displays of beauty, curiosity, and song. Every visitor to the feeder becomes a familiar presence, adding life and movement to our outdoor spaces.

Whether you're sipping tea on the patio or watching from a window, feeding birds offers instant connection to the wild. It’s not just food… it’s friendship.

Why feed birds year round?

Many people start feeding birds in winter, when natural food sources are scarce. But the truth is, birds benefit from supplemental feeding all year long.

In spring, they need protein for nesting and raising young. In summer, fledglings and moulting adults rely on soft, nutritious foods. Autumn is a time to build fat reserves, while winter demands calorie rich seeds and fats just to survive.

By feeding birds year round, you're giving them the consistent, dependable support they need to thrive. And in return? You get a garden filled with song, colour, and life.

What is the best overall bird food?

If you're looking for one go-to blend that does it all, choose our exceptional no-mess, no-waste Hearty™ seed mixes. These are ideal for year round feeding and attract the widest possible variety of species and in ever greater numbers, including:

  • Blue tits, great tits, coal tits, long-tailed tits
  • House sparrows, robins, blackbirds, dunnocks

Finches, siskins, nuthatches, woodpeckers

Our Hearty™ mixes include a high percentage of sunflower hearts, millet, suet pellets or dried mealworms, with no cheap fillers like wheat or barley, which often go uneaten. Our Ark Premium No Mess Feeder Mix is designed to offer maximum nutrition with zero waste, making it the best overall bird food for busy gardens.

You can also supplement with species-specific foods like:

What is the best bird seed to feed birds in spring and summer?

In spring and summer, birds need energy to nest, feed their young, and undergo moulting. During this time, offer:

  • High-protein foods such as live or dried mealworms
  • Sunflower hearts easy to eat and full of energy having the shells removed
  • Suet pellets and blocks made with fat offering tasty fast energy
  • Insect rich blends to support fledglings

Avoid large, hard seeds or whole peanuts, as these can present a chocking hazard for young and inexperienced chicks, fledglings and birds.

Our Ark Summer Support Mix is specially created to support birds during warmer months, offering bite-sized, easily digestible protein and calcium rich nutrition. It's gentle on young beaks and packed with what they need most.

Why should you feed birds in the summer?

You might wonder, "should you feed birds in the summer?" The answer is a confident yes, but with care.

Summer brings long days, but it also brings drought, heat stress, and a hungry new generation of birds. Natural food like insects and berries may be abundant one week and vanish the next due to changes in the weather.

Tips why feeding birds in summer is important:

  • Supports fledglings still learning to forage
  • Helps adults recovering from the rigours of nesting
  • Offers clean, consistent food when wild supplies dip
  • Maintains the joy of birds visiting your garden, and your feeders

Clean feeders regularly, especially in warm or wet weather, and ensure fresh water for drinking and bathing is available every day.

Is there a time you should stop feeding birds in summer?

There’s a common myth that feeding birds in summer stops them from finding natural food. But in the UK the RSPB say there's no need to stop feeding birds in summer, and it continues to be beneficial as long as you:

  • Clean feeders weekly to prevent the spread of disease in warm weather
  • Offer soft, small seeds and mealworms safe for chicks
  • Avoid large, dry foods like whole peanuts or uncooked fat

In short, adapt your feeding, use better quality bird food but don't stop it. Summer is just as important as winter when it comes to helping garden birds stay healthy.

Feeding in autumn and winter

As days shorten and temperatures drop, birds need calorie rich food to survive. Start increasing your feeding in autumn so birds know where to find food when they need it most.

Choose:

  • Fat balls and suet blocks for warmth and energy
  • Peanuts and sunflower seeds to build reserves
  • Mealworms and raisins for thrushes and robins

While autumn may see a lull in visiting birds due to many common garden species going through the moult. There will also be a period of abundance of natural seeds and fruit. Weeks can go by with little or no activity on bird feeders. However, it’s important to keep feeding as this abundance can be short lived and birds will return in ever greater numbers and the days shorten, and cool.

Winter feeding brings the greatest variety of species to your garden, including less seen birds like redwings and fieldfares. Keep feeders stocked up, and you’ll be rewarded with a daily display of colour and activity.

Why high quality bird food matters

Not all bird food is equal. Cheap mixes often from supermarkets and garden centres often include large quantities of wheat, split peas, or barley, all cheap ingredients and fillers that offer little nutritional value and birds don’t eat. All it does is discourage birds from visiting and grow into weeds under your feeders.

The best high quality bird food:

  • Reduces waste
  • Provides better nutrition
  • Keeps your feeders cleaner
  • Attracts a wider range and numbers of birds

When you invest in food that's designed for the needs of UK species, you're helping birds live longer, breed more successfully, and return to your garden again and again.

At Ark Wildlife, all our mixes are tested and trusted by wildlife experts and independently tested. We don’t include cheap fillers, and we never compromise on quality.

The mental and physical health benefits of feeding birds

Bird feeding doesn’t just help wildlife, it helps us too. Watching birds brings a calming rhythm to daily life. Their songs, colours, and behaviours draw us out of our heads and into the moment.

Studies show that regular interaction with nature, even something as small as watching birds at a feeder, can:

  • Reduce stress and anxiety
  • Improve mood and focus
  • Lower blood pressure
  • Encourage time spent outdoors

Bird feeding can become a daily ritual, a quiet act of care that reconnects us with the seasons. For older adults or people working from home, it offers routine, connection, and joy, small, uplifting moments that add up to a happier, healthier you.

It’s a simple act that nourishes both garden wildlife and the human spirit.

What to put in your feeders (and when)

Spring/Summer

Autumn/Winter

Year-Round

  • Premium seed mixes
  • No mess & Hearty™ seed mixes
  • Suet pellets and blocks
  • Water for drinking and bathing

Every feeder filled is an invitation to wildlife. Whether you hang a single seed feeder or set up a full tiered feeding station, you’re creating a lifeline for birds in every season.

Support your local wildlife with the best bird food in summer, winter, and every season between. With Ark Wildlife, feeding birds is more than a hobby, it’s a simple, powerful way to help nature thrive in your own back garden.

FAQs

Find answers to our most frequently asked questions.

If you cannot find the answer to your query within these FAQ’s please call our customer service team on free phone 0800 085 4865 between 9.00am – 5.00pm Monday to Friday and we’ll be happy to answer your questions.

Read all FAQs

Outside of office hours please complete the form on our Contact Us page and we will respond to your request within 1 working day of our return.

What is the best bird seed for birds in the UK?

The best bird seeds for the UK include sunflower seeds (for most species), peanuts (for tits and woodpeckers), niger seeds (for finches), mixed seed blends (for a variety of birds), mealworms (for insect-eating birds like robins and blackbirds), fatballs, suet pellets and cakes (for many species).

How do I feed birds without attracting rats in the UK?

You can use hanging feeders which keep food off the ground to stop attracting rats to your garden. You can also minimise the risk of pests by putting out bird feed in moderation to avoid excess leftovers.

What is the healthiest thing to feed birds?

The healthiest food for birds is a mix of high-quality, natural options that provide balanced nutrition. Sunflower seeds are rich in essential oils and fats, while peanuts for birds offer protein and energy. Mealworms can also provide valuable protein. It's important to avoid processed foods, salt, and sugary treats, as these can be harmful to birds.

How do you feed garden birds on a budget?

If you’re looking for the cheapest thing to feed birds, you’ll be pleased to know that feeding garden birds cheaply can be achieved whilst still providing nutritious options. Seed mixes are a great way to offer a variety of garden seeds that can attract multiple species of birds to your garden. Larger size bags offer better pricing and our bird food bundles are excellent value.

What bird feeders can I use?

You can use hanging feeders which keep food off the ground to stop attracting rats to your garden. You can also minimise the risk of pests by putting out bird feed in moderation to avoid excess leftovers.

What if a bird does not eat seeds?

If the birds in your garden aren’t eating the seeds you put out, you may want to offer alternative foods like suet, mealworms, or fruit.

Why is tiered bird feeding important?

Tiered bird feeding caters to different bird species by providing feeding stations at various heights, reducing competition and attracting a wider variety of birds.

Is it illegal to feed birds in your garden in the UK?

It is not illegal to feed birds in your garden in the UK. In fact, feeding birds is a popular activity and can help support local wildlife, especially during the colder months when natural food sources are scarce. However, it’s important to feed birds responsibly, ensuring food is fresh and nutritious to avoid health risks for the birds, impacting the surrounding environment and attracting pests.

How to

Guides for everything you need

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Should I Feed Birds in Summer?

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