Birdseed is a mixture of different seeds and grains that people put out to feed wild birds. A typical bag of birdseed might contain sunflower seeds, millet, cracked corn, and other small seeds that birds love to eat. Different birds prefer different seeds: cardinals crack open sunflower seeds with their strong beaks, while smaller finches nibble at tiny nyjer seeds.

People fill bird feeders with birdseed to attract birds to their yards, especially in winter when natural food becomes scarce. Watching chickadees, nuthatches, and sparrows visit a feeder can turn an ordinary backyard into a lively show. Some people get very particular about their birdseed, choosing special blends to attract specific species or avoiding cheap mixes filled with seeds that birds leave behind.