6 Best Bird And Squirrel Food That Wildlife Loves to Gobble
If you want to keep squirrels and songbirds returning to your yard, the right mix makes all the difference.
You will see how seed blends, nuts, and grains can draw in cardinals, finches, and squirrels without much guesswork.
From everyday feeders to heavier duty options, each choice has its place.
The tricky part is knowing which foods truly earn a spot outside, and that is where things get interesting.
| Volkman Squirrel Gourmet Mix Healthy Diet Food |  | Best Mixed Blend | Target Animals: Squirrels | Package Size: 4 lb | Item Form: Seeds | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| CountryMax Backyard Wildlife Feed for Squirrels and Friends |  | Best Wildlife Mix | Target Animals: Squirrels, deer, birds, rabbits, chipmunks | Package Size: 20 lb | Item Form: Mix | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Wild Delight Crunch N’ Nut Squirrel Food 8 Lb |  | Best Peanut Blend | Target Animals: Squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits | Package Size: 8 lb | Item Form: Chunk | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Audubon Park Extreme Variety Wild Bird Seed for Outside Feeders 15-lb. Bag |  | Best Bird Variety | Target Animals: Wild birds | Package Size: 15 lb | Item Form: Seed | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Audubon Park Squirrel & Critter Food 15-lb. Bag |  | Best Squirrel Feed | Target Animals: Squirrels, chipmunks, jays, woodpeckers | Package Size: 15 lb | Item Form: Chunk | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Kaytee Cardinal Wild Bird Seed 7 lb |  | Best Cardinal Mix | Target Animals: Cardinals, chickadees, nuthatches, grosbeaks | Package Size: 7 lb | Item Form: Chunk | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
More Details on Our Top Picks
Volkman Squirrel Gourmet Mix Healthy Diet Food
If you’re looking for a nutritious daily option for squirrels, Volkman Seed Small Animal Squirrel Gourmet Mix is a strong pick. It is a vegetarian, all-life-stages formula made with nuts, sunflower seeds, peanuts, almonds, and pumpkin seed. Offer it as a balanced, ready-to-eat mix that suits small breeds and supports daily feeding. Its soft shells help squirrels eat on the spot, and the diverse blend can reduce burying behavior and keep backyard wildlife active. You will also appreciate the low-sodium recipe and the 4-pound bag size for convenient storage and use.
- Target Animals:Squirrels
- Package Size:4 lb
- Item Form:Seeds
- Main Ingredients:Nuts, sunflower seeds, peanuts, almond, pumpkin seed
- Feeding Use:Daily feeding
- Container Type:Bag
- Additional Feature:Low sodium formula
- Additional Feature:Soft shell blend
- Additional Feature:Reduces burying behavior
CountryMax Backyard Wildlife Feed for Squirrels and Friends
CountryMax Backyard Wildlife Feed for Squirrels and Friends is an excellent choice for attracting a lively mix of backyard wildlife, including squirrels, birds, deer, rabbits, and chipmunks. This 20 lb, non-GMO blend of whole corn, grains, and seeds creates a natural feeding spot. Spread it on the ground, or place it in platform feeders and troughs for easy access. Because it is chemical-free and all-natural, you will support year-round nutrition for winter birds, fall squirrels, and spring deer, while helping keep your backyard balanced.
- Target Animals:Squirrels, deer, birds, rabbits, chipmunks
- Package Size:20 lb
- Item Form:Mix
- Main Ingredients:Whole corn, grains, seeds
- Feeding Use:Ground spread, platform feeders, troughs
- Container Type:Bag
- Additional Feature:Non-GMO mix
- Additional Feature:All-natural ingredients
- Additional Feature:Chemical-free formula
Wild Delight Crunch N’ Nut Squirrel Food 8 Lb
Wild Delight Crunch N’ Nut Squirrel Food is a strong pick if you want a 100% natural, peanut-based mix that really draws in squirrels, chipmunks, and other backyard wildlife. You get a scientifically developed formula made with whole peanuts for solid nutrition and high appeal. The 8 pound bag works well for regular backyard feeding, and the chunk form makes it easy to offer outdoors. It is designed for squirrels, but it also attracts rabbits and other visitors, so you can keep your feeder active and lively with minimal hassle.
- Target Animals:Squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits
- Package Size:8 lb
- Item Form:Chunk
- Main Ingredients:Whole peanuts
- Feeding Use:Backyard outdoor feeding
- Container Type:Bag
- Additional Feature:Scientifically developed nutrition
- Additional Feature:100% natural
- Additional Feature:Whole peanuts
Audubon Park Extreme Variety Wild Bird Seed for Outside Feeders 15-lb. Bag
Audubon Park Extreme Variety Wild Bird Seed is a smart choice for backyard bird lovers who want one blend that attracts a wide mix of species, including cardinals, finches, nuthatches, titmice, and juncos. Use it in tube, hopper, or platform feeders. It performs well year round outdoors. The mix contains black oil sunflower seeds, peanuts, sunflower chips, millet, safflower, raisins, and niger to appeal to many birds. The 15 lb bag provides ample supply for repeat visits, and the extreme variety keeps your feeder busy.
- Target Animals:Wild birds
- Package Size:15 lb
- Item Form:Seed
- Main Ingredients:Black oil sunflower seeds, peanuts, raisins, tree nuts
- Feeding Use:Tube, hopper, platform feeders
- Container Type:Bag
- Additional Feature:Year-round feeding
- Additional Feature:Extreme variety blend
- Additional Feature:Attracts wide bird variety
Audubon Park Squirrel & Critter Food 15-lb. Bag
If you want to attract squirrels and other small backyard visitors away from bird feeders, Audubon Park Squirrel & Critter Food is a practical choice. The 15-lb. bag contains chunky, unflavored food with crunchy corn, sunflower seeds, peanuts, and a nut and seed mix that appeals to squirrels, chipmunks, jays, woodpeckers, and other small wildlife. Use it in squirrel feeders, platform feeders, table feeders, or spread it on the ground. Place it away from bird feeders to distract hungry raiders. Made by Global Harvest Foods, this all-life-stages blend is easy to use and store.
- Target Animals:Squirrels, chipmunks, jays, woodpeckers
- Package Size:15 lb
- Item Form:Chunk
- Main Ingredients:Corn, sunflower seeds, peanuts, nut-and-seed mix
- Feeding Use:Squirrel feeders, platform feeders, ground use
- Container Type:Bag
- Additional Feature:Distance from bird feeders
- Additional Feature:Crunchy corn blend
- Additional Feature:Distracts squirrels
Kaytee Cardinal Wild Bird Seed 7 lb
Kaytee Cardinal Wild Bird Seed, 7 lb is a smart pick if you want a premium blend made to attract cardinals and other seed-loving birds, such as chickadees, nuthatches, and grosbeaks. You get a 7-pound bag of Kaytee’s Cardinal Blend with black oil sunflower seeds and safflower seeds, two favorites for wild birds. The safflower’s bitter taste can help discourage squirrels, so more seed stays available for birds. It is additive-free, allergen-free, and suitable for all life stages. If you want a focused feeder mix, this raw, chunk-form seed gives you solid value and reliable attraction.
- Target Animals:Cardinals, chickadees, nuthatches, grosbeaks
- Package Size:7 lb
- Item Form:Chunk
- Main Ingredients:Black oil sunflower seeds, safflower seeds
- Feeding Use:Wild bird feeding
- Container Type:Bag
- Additional Feature:Safflower bitter taste
- Additional Feature:Deters squirrels
- Additional Feature:Cardinal favorites blend
Factors to Consider When Choosing Bird And Squirrel Food
When choosing bird and squirrel food, match the nutrition to the species you are feeding and check ingredient quality first. A good seed variety can attract more wildlife, but also consider which animals you want to draw in and how you will serve the food. Choosing the right feeding method makes feeding easier, cleaner, and more effective.
Species-Specific Nutrition
Species-specific nutrition matters because birds and squirrels do best on different nutrient profiles, so choose food that matches the animal you want to feed. Squirrels need mixes that emphasize nuts, seeds, and steady energy. Bird blends should suit the species you are attracting. Black oil sunflower seed, safflower, peanuts, millet, and tree nuts each draw different wildlife, so the right combination matters. To steer behavior, use squirrel-targeted formulas to limit burying, or add safflower to bird food to make squirrels less interested. All-life-stage blends can work for mixed ages, but they still need to fit the species. A broad wildlife mix is convenient, yet a formula made for one primary animal usually gives better results.
Ingredient Quality
Quality ingredients make a big difference in bird and squirrel food, so look for recognizable whole foods like sunflower seeds, peanuts, safflower seed, pumpkin seed, and tree nuts instead of vague “mixed feed” blends. You will also want formulas that say natural, all-natural, or 100% natural, since those usually skip artificial ingredients. A good mix can include several wholesome items, but it should still lean on nutrient-rich seeds and nuts, not fillers such as excess grain products or corn. For birds, safflower or sunflower supports dependable feeding, and for squirrels, nut and seed blends work well. When you buy food for regular or year-round use, choose low-sodium, additive-free, and chemical-free options. That way you are giving wildlife cleaner fuel they can actually use.
Seed Variety
Seed variety matters because a mix of seeds, nuts, and grains can match the preferences of different birds and squirrels at once. Choose blended foods with sunflower seeds, peanuts, safflower, millet, corn, and tree nuts to give different animals something they will enjoy. If you want to target one strong preference, a single dominant ingredient, such as whole peanuts, can work well, especially when you are feeding high energy seekers. Seed size, shell type, and texture also matter because they affect how quickly wildlife eats and whether it stays to feed or carries food away. A diverse mix helps provide better nutrition through changing seasons, since different ingredients offer different benefits year round.
Wildlife Attraction
When you choose bird and squirrel food, think about which animals you want to attract, because different mixes draw different wildlife. If you want broad yard traffic, look for blends with sunflower seeds, peanuts, safflower, grains, and corn. These ingredients can bring in squirrels, birds, chipmunks, rabbits, deer, and other visitors. Varied formulas usually attract more species than single ingredient feeds, because nuts and seeds appeal to many animals. For birds, choose mixes with black oil sunflower seed, millet, canary seed, safflower, and peanuts to help draw cardinals, finches, juncos, and nuthatches. If squirrels are your focus, pick a mix made for them so they will eat quickly and keep the area active. Matching food to your target wildlife can improve year round yard activity.
Feeding Method
How you plan to feed wildlife should guide your food choice, since some mixes are made for tube, hopper, platform, trough, ground, or table feeding. If you scatter food on the ground, pick a mix designed for direct spreading so animals can reach it easily. Use feeders when you want to keep seed tidy and reduce waste. Platform and hopper feeders work well for larger blends with nuts, sunflower seeds, corn, and mixed grains, because many animals can share them. Tube feeders suit smaller seeds and often attract wild birds year round. To control traffic, give squirrels their own feeder or place their food away from bird stations. That setup reduces competition and helps you direct feeding where you want.
Seasonal Needs
Seasonal changes should shape the food you offer, and feeder type should shape how you serve it. In winter, give birds and squirrels high-energy foods like nuts, sunflower seeds, and corn so they can stay warm and active. When spring and summer arrive, switch to balanced seed and grain mixes that support nesting, growth, and breeding demands. In fall, focus on calorie-dense blends to help squirrels build reserves and birds prepare for migration or cold snaps. You will get the best results when you keep the mix nutritionally steady across seasons, rather than changing it too sharply. Weather matters too, so use dry, sheltered feeders during rain or snow to keep food fresh and easy to reach.
Package Size
Package size affects how long bird and squirrel food lasts, so choose an amount that matches how often you feed and how much wildlife visits. You can find small 4 lb bags for light use, or step up to 7 lb, 8 lb, 15 lb, and 20 lb mixes when your feeders empty quickly. If you only feed now and then, a smaller bag is easier to store, lift, and finish before it gets stale. For frequent or year-round feeding, a larger package saves trips and reduces refills, especially at multiple feeding spots. Compare weight and ounces, for example 240 ounces, so you know exactly what you are buying. Pick the size that fits expected consumption, keeps food fresh, and cuts waste.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can I Stop Squirrels From Dominating My Bird Feeder?
You can stop squirrels by using a squirrel-proof feeder, placing it away from jump points, adding a baffle, and offering less tempting seed. You will also need to refill often and adjust feeder height.
What Foods Should Never Be Given to Birds or Squirrels?
Do not give birds or squirrels chocolate, avocado, caffeine, alcohol, salty snacks, moldy food, or anything seasoned; why risk harming them? Keep feeders safe by offering plain seeds, nuts, and fresh water.
Can Bird and Squirrel Food Be Left Outside in Rain?
No. Do not leave bird and squirrel food outside in rain; it will spoil, mold, and attract pests. You will waste food and may sicken wildlife. Use covered feeders, and store extras indoors.
How Often Should Outdoor Wildlife Feeders Be Cleaned?
Clean outdoor wildlife feeders at least once every two weeks, and more often if you see mold, droppings, or spoiled food. Wash them with soap and hot water, then dry them thoroughly.
Do Different Squirrel Species Prefer Different Seed Mixes?
Yes, you will notice this as well: gray squirrels often prefer corn and sunflower seeds, while fox squirrels may favor nuts and peanuts. Seed preferences vary by species, so test small batches and observe which items disappear first.
