If you feed backyard birds, you have probably noticed how quickly loose birdseed can disappear.
Some gets eaten. Some gets tossed onto the ground. Some blows away. And sometimes it feels like you just filled the feeder yesterday.
That is one reason bird seed cylinders have become such a popular alternative to traditional loose birdseed.
But are they actually better?
The answer depends on your backyard, your birds, and what matters most to you.
What Is a Bird Seed Cylinder?
A bird seed cylinder is birdseed that has been compressed into a solid shape instead of being poured loose into a feeder.
Birds still pick out the seeds they want, but the cylinder stays together as they feed.
Our Bird Seed Cylinders are available in All Seasons (Regular), Trail Mix (No Waste), and Spicy Hot Pepper blends.
They are designed for birdwatchers who want a simple way to keep food available while spending less time dealing with loose seed.
Do Bird Seed Cylinders Last Longer Than Loose Birdseed?
Often, yes.
Because the seed is held together, birds cannot toss it around quite as easily as they can loose seed.
That can mean:
- less seed scattered onto the ground
- fewer wasted seeds
- fewer trips outside to refill the feeder
- more time simply enjoying the birds
How long a cylinder lasts will depend on how many birds are visiting, the species using it, the weather, and where your feeder is located.
A busy backyard may go through one quickly. A quieter feeder may keep one going considerably longer.
Do Bird Seed Cylinders Make Less Mess?
This is one of their biggest advantages.
Anyone who has filled a traditional feeder has probably seen birds dig through the mix looking for their favorite seeds.
The result can be a pile of perfectly good birdseed underneath the feeder.
Seed cylinders make that harder to do because the food is held together.
You may still see shells and bits of seed beneath the feeder, but there is generally less loose seed available for birds to fling onto the ground.
If messy feeders are one of your biggest frustrations, cylinders are worth trying.
Are Bird Seed Cylinders More Expensive?
A bird seed cylinder may cost more upfront than simply scooping loose seed into a feeder.
But price per package does not tell the whole story.
The better question is:
How much of the birdseed you buy is actually getting eaten?
If loose seed regularly ends up scattered on the ground, spoiled by weather, or emptied out by especially enthusiastic birds, the difference in actual cost may be smaller than it first appears.
For some birdwatchers, paying a little more for less waste and fewer refills is worth it.
For others, loose birdseed will still be the better value.
Which Birds Eat Seed Cylinders?
Many of the same backyard birds that visit traditional seed feeders will use a seed cylinder.
Depending on the blend and your location, you may see birds such as:
- cardinals
- chickadees
- titmice
- nuthatches
- finches
- woodpeckers
- blue jays
As with any feeder, the birds that show up will depend on where you live, the time of year, and the ingredients in the blend.
That is part of the fun. You never know exactly who may discover it next.
Do You Need a Special Feeder for Bird Seed Cylinders?
You will want a feeder designed to hold the cylinder securely while giving birds room to perch and feed.
Our Seed Cylinder Feeder with Rain Guard is designed specifically for seed cylinders and includes a cover to help protect the food from the weather.
If you are trying cylinders for the first time, having the right feeder makes the experience much easier.
You can also see both the cylinders and feeder together in our Seed Cylinders Collection.
When Is Loose Birdseed Better?
I still love loose birdseed, and there are plenty of situations where it makes more sense.
Loose seed gives you more flexibility.
You can:
- use it in many different feeder styles
- offer several foods in different parts of your yard
- quickly refill a busy feeder
- choose blends for particular birds
- change foods as the birds in your backyard change
For birdwatchers who enjoy using multiple feeders and experimenting with different blends, loose birdseed is hard to beat.
And, of course, some birds simply prefer feeding from a traditional hopper, tube, platform, or ground feeder.
So, Which Is Better?
There really is not one answer for every backyard.
Choose bird seed cylinders if you want:
- less loose seed scattered around the feeder
- fewer refills
- a simple feeding setup
- food that stays together while birds feed
- an easy option for busy weeks or travel
Choose loose birdseed if you want:
- maximum flexibility
- several feeders around the yard
- different blends for different birds
- the ability to change foods frequently
And you don't have to choose just one. In fact, the backyards that attract the greatest variety of birds usually offer more than one feeder style and more than one type of food. Different birds have different preferences. Some are happiest at tube feeders, while others prefer platforms, suet feeders, ground feeding, or seed cylinders. Offering a mix of feeder styles and foods gives more species a reason to stop by and can make your backyard much more interesting to watch.
Ready to Try Bird Seed Cylinders?
If you are tired of constantly refilling the feeder or sweeping up seed underneath it, a cylinder may be worth adding to your backyard.
You can shop our Bird Seed Cylinders in All Seasons, Trail Mix, and Spicy Hot Pepper blends.
Need a feeder too? Our Seed Cylinder Feeder with Rain Guard gives birds an easy place to feed while helping protect the cylinder from the weather.