Looking to add some vibrant feathered friends to your backyard without breaking the bank? You might be surprised to learn that many common grocery store items can attract a spectacular array of colorful birds.
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See Today's PriceHere’s our guide to the most effective and budget-friendly foods that will transform your backyard into a bustling bird sanctuary.
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1. Fresh Oranges
As you may know, orioles love oranges, and woodpeckers may also love them. If you want to feed oranges to orioles, cut them in half to expose the juicy inner sections and put the open side face up.
This can be done on a feeder meant for oranges, or just by placing oranges open side up on your regular bird feeder or on something like a fence post. If you notice that the orioles are skipping over the sliced oranges, I recommend cutting them at an angle.
Orange slices positioned with an upward-slanting angle will be easier to access for most orioles.
2. Plain Grape Jelly
Orioles are also known to eat grape jelly. Put jelly in a clear dish that birds can easily access.
Putting jelly near your other feeders is likely to draw birds’ attention, but spacing out feeders by at least a few feet is key for reducing messes and the spread of disease. To provide the healthiest options for your backyard birds, buy jelly that’s free of preservatives and artificial flavoring.
Orioles are fruit-eating birds that love the sweet treat of grape jelly. They like a range of different fruit jellies, but Bullock’s and Baltimore orioles particularly love the grape juice flavor since fresh grapes are one of the fruits that they commonly consume.
3. Unsalted Peanuts
Birds can eat peanuts safely, whole or peanut pieces, shelled or unshelled. Just don’t offer roasted peanuts; these aren’t safe because they’re either roasted in oil or dry roasted in salt.
Some birds also like fruit. Orioles and some woodpeckers love oranges, other birds may enjoy dried fruits like raisins, and unsalted peanuts attract birds like jays.
Before you put out bird food, be sure to research what foods will attract your desired birds.
4. White Millet
Millet is a type of birdseed that resembles miniature kernels of popcorn! There are three types of millet used in bird seed: white proso millet, golden millet, and red millet.
White proso and red millet are the most common, so let’s discuss them in further detail. White proso millet is a high-protein seed that is a favorite food among ground-feeding birds.
Doves, juncos, towhees, and sparrows are some of the common birds that prefer millet.
5. Black Oil Sunflower Seeds
There are two kinds of sunflower seeds that you can put out for birds: black oil sunflower and striped sunflower. Black oil seeds are more common seeds that have thin shells that most birds can crack open, while striped seeds have thicker shells that are difficult for certain birds, including blackbirds and sparrows, to crack open, according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
The two are pretty similar in price. Black oil sunflower seeds are smaller and more common in birdseed than the kind of sunflower seeds humans eat.
Their shell is all black and is generally pretty easy for all kinds of birds to crack open.
6. Fresh Berries
Here is some good news when it comes to the safety of berries: If a berry is safe for people to eat, it’s safe for birds, too! That means that birds can eat strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and so many more berries!
You might also leave out a handful of berries from elsewhere for the birds in your garden. Just remember that fresh is better than dried.
And dried berries might have harmful preservatives. Of course, during fresh berry season, you might also like to purchase some fresh berries to eat yourself and to place out on bird tables or other bird feeding stations in your garden.
7. Dried Mealworms
Mealworms are perhaps best known for attracting bluebirds, but cardinals are among the other birds that eat mealworms. You can buy live mealworms, but dried mealworms are readily available and relatively inexpensive.
You can put mealworms in a separate bird feeding station or mix them with your usual birdseed mix. Using dried mealworms may require an adjustment for the birds, so you may want to start by mixing live and dried mealworms.
As birds warm to the freeze-dried version, you can phase out the live mealworms from the mix. Additionally, the North American Bluebird Society also recommends against feeding freeze-dried mealworms during the nesting season, as food items are the only water source that nestlings receive, and freeze-dried mealworms contain little to no moisture.
8. Raisins (Unsweetened)
If you’re looking for a fun and easy way to treat your garden birds, raisins are a great option with plenty of health benefits. Simply place a small handful of raisins in your bird feeder, and watch as the birds come flocking!
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Too many raisins can also cause health issues in birds as an excess of fiber may lead to bloating and gastric upset. So, if you do offer them raisins, be sure to do so in moderation.
Raisins are a good source of natural sugar and nutrients, and they can be a healthy treat for your feathered friends. Just be sure to offer them in moderation, as too many raisins can cause digestive issues.
9. Rolled Oats (Uncooked)
In most situations, uncooked porridge oats are a delicious treat that many birds enjoy. After all, the oats you purchase in the grocery store or from a wild bird store are not that different from the oats that birds encounter in the wild.
Nope! Oats are actually a very nutritious food source for birds.
They have plenty of fiber, fats, and protein. Additionally, they have minimal salt.
Oats have vitamins, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc—all excellent sources of nutrients in a bird’s diet! There are so many options!
And all of them are a fine option for birds! Just remember that these are all safe options when they are raw.
It is cooked oats that create a problem for birds.
10. Fresh Grapes (Halved)
Birds will often ignore green grapes because of their preference for darker-colored fruits. Overall, they are more likely to choose red grapes and black grapes over the green variety.
Even though they prefer dark-colored grapes, all grapes can provide a wide variety of health benefits for birds. The high sugar content in grapes is a source of quick energy, while the skins are rich in fiber.
If you wish, you can slice the grapes in half, which helps to attract birds by letting the sweet juices out. This also invites hummingbirds to stop by for a drink from the sliced fruit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to attract colorful birds?
Most birds will discover new food sources within 2-7 days, but colorful species like orioles and buntings may take 2-3 weeks to become regular visitors. Be patient—once they find your buffet, they’ll often bring friends and return daily during peak seasons.
What time of day should I put out fresh foods?
Early morning (dawn to 9 AM) and late afternoon (2-4 hours before sunset) are prime feeding times. Birds are most active during these periods and will quickly discover fresh offerings.
Avoid putting out perishable foods like fruits and jelly during the hottest part of the day.
Can I mix these foods together?
Absolutely! Create custom mixes by combining seeds, nuts, and dried fruits.
However, keep wet foods like jelly and fresh fruits in separate dishes to prevent spoilage. A popular combo is sunflower seeds, millet, and chopped peanuts for a colorful bird trail mix.
Why aren’t colorful birds coming to my feeders?
Location matters enormously. Colorful birds prefer feeders near natural cover like shrubs or trees where they can quickly escape predators.
Also, check your timing—many colorful species are migratory and only visit during specific seasons. Patience and persistence are key!
Honorable Mentions: Foods That Almost Made the List
Natural foods like fruits, including dried fruits, can make a healthy treat for birds. Unsalted nuts, cracked corn, or peas (thawed if frozen) are also likely to be popular with certain backyard birds.
Your backyard bird population will thank you if you focus on offering these favorite foods.
- Frozen corn (thawed): Cardinals and blue jays love it, but it’s less appealing to other colorful species
- Coconut flakes (unsweetened): Occasionally attracts woodpeckers, but results vary by region
- Cooked rice (plain): Safe for birds but mainly attracts common sparrows and pigeons
- Cantaloupe seeds: Some orioles enjoy them, but fresh fruit works better
Seasonal Strategy: When to Offer Each Food
Spring (March-May)
Priority foods: Oranges, grape jelly, mealworms. Migrating orioles and tanagers are desperately seeking high-energy foods after long flights.
This is prime time for attracting the most spectacular colorful visitors.
Summer (June-August)
Priority foods: Fresh berries, mealworms, sunflower seeds. Parent birds need protein for growing chicks, while fresh fruits provide hydration during hot weather.
Refresh offerings twice daily in extreme heat.
Fall (September-November)
Priority foods: Sunflower seeds, peanuts, millet. Birds are building fat reserves for migration or winter survival.
High-calorie foods become most important as natural food sources decline.
Winter (December-February)
Priority foods: Sunflower seeds, peanuts, dried fruits. Focus on high-energy foods that won’t freeze.
Many colorful migrants have departed, but cardinals, blue jays, and year-round residents still provide winter beauty.
Food Safety & Storage for Bird Health
Signs Your Bird Food Has Gone Bad
- Mold or fuzzy growth: Discard immediately—mold can be fatal to birds
- Sour or fermented smell: Especially common with fruits and jelly in hot weather
- Insects or larvae: Replace contaminated food and clean feeders thoroughly
- Wet or clumped seeds: Moisture leads to rapid spoilage and potential toxins
Storage Tips for Maximum Freshness
First, always make sure to store your sunflower seeds in an airtight container. Airtight storage will help keep moisture and pests out, both of which can quickly ruin a big batch of seeds.
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology suggests using a solution that’s nine parts water to one part bleach To clean bird feeders. Rinse all bleach solution off the feeder and give it adequate time to dry before putting it back out for birds, as damp feeders can be a breeding ground for diseases.
Keeping fresh nectar out for your hummers is very important. If the sugar solution sits outside for too many days, especially in hot weather, it will develop mold or go rancid.
Putting fresh food out every couple of days is never a bad thing!
Feeder Hygiene: A 5-Minute Weekly Routine
Budget-Friendly Bird Feeding Tips
You don’t need to spend a fortune to create a colorful bird paradise. Buy seeds and nuts in bulk during sales, and freeze portions to maintain freshness.
Day-old bakery items (plain, unsweetened) can sometimes work for larger birds, and overripe fruits from the discount rack are perfect for your feathered friends. Check multiple grocery stores—prices can vary significantly between chains for the same bird-friendly foods.
Creating the Perfect Feeding Station Setup
Feeders should be at least five feet above the ground. Hummingbird feeders should be hung high because they scare easily and are easily frightened away from their feeding area.
Grocery-store bird foods at a glance
| Food | What our writers say |
|---|---|
| Oranges | Cut in half, open side up; an upward slant is easier for orioles |
| Grape jelly | Clear dish, no preservatives or artificial flavoring |
| Peanuts | Whole or pieces, shelled or unshelled; skip oil-roasted or salted |
| White millet | White proso is a favorite of doves, juncos, towhees, and sparrows |
| Black oil sunflower | Thin black shells most birds can crack; striped shells are thicker |
| Fresh berries | If a berry is safe for people, it is safe for birds; fresh beats dried |
| Dried mealworms | Start mixed with live worms; little moisture for nestlings |
| Raisins | A small handful; too many can cause bloating |
| Rolled oats | Uncooked is fine; cooked oats are the problem |
| Grapes | Birds prefer red and black; slicing in half lets the juice out |
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