Sunflower Hearts

Providing a mix of different feeding methods is central to success if as many species of birds in your garden are to benefit from Sunflower Hearts:

- Hanging seed feeders

A hanging seed feeder, or tube feeder, is an essential component, mainly used by finches and tits. Finch species, such as Goldfinches, will sit on a perch to eat the Sunflower Hearts, whereas tit species, such as the Great tit, will fly off with a single heart. It will then find a suitable perch like a twig, hold the heart with its feet, then chip away and consume in small chunks. Using a hanging feeder with round perches will also allow Chaffinches and even ground-feeding birds like Robins to get to the food (Robins swallow the Sunflower Hearts whole).

- Caged feeders

Larger species of birds, such as Jackdaws, plus also unwanted Grey squirrels, will generally be attracted to the easy meal which the Sunflower Hearts represent. So whilst you should always have at least some open feeders (and ground feed, otherwise species like Blackbird will miss out), having at least one caged feeder such as a Ring Pull Guardian, or a Squirrel Buster Feeder where the ports close when a heavier bird or squirrel stands on the perch, is always a good idea. Read our guides on deterring squirrels and how to keep Jackdaws off your bird feeders for more information on this topic.

You can also scatter Sunflower Hearts loose on the ground, but only in a quantity which will be eaten each day, and therefore won’t be left overnight. The two main reasons are to ensure that rats aren’t attracted, and because Sunflower Hearts can be harmful to Hedgehogs.

Sunflower Hearts can be fed to garden birds throughout the year, though are especially beneficial during the winter months.

Yes, Sunflower Hearts are very good for garden birds because they are nutrient-rich, calorie-dense, and easy for birds to eat as they have no husk. This makes them an ideal food for a wide range of birds. Our premium Sunflower Hearts are an ideal food for birds in the UK during the winter. They come with the husk removed, which saves time and energy when birds are eating them. Usually, birds need to break seeds down with their beaks before they can consume them properly. This is not bad for the birds, but it does make them use more energy in the process. In addition, some softbill species like Robins can’t remove husks at all. When the weather is colder, it is better for birds to preserve their energy wherever they can. Because of this, Sunflower Hearts are a great form of bird seed.

Sunflower seeds, such as the Black Sunflower Seeds we offer, are complete with the outer husks in place, whereas Sunflower Hearts have had the husks removed.

There are a number of benefits to Sunflower Hearts over whole sunflower seeds, and although they are slightly more expensive, it is arguably well worth the difference in cost.

Firstly, Sunflower Hearts can be eaten by more species of bird compared to whole sunflower seeds as there’s no husk to remove, as species like Robin and Blackbird can’t remove husks.

Secondly, even for birds which can remove the husk such as species of finch and tit, doing so requires energy - which birds need to especially conserve in the cold winter months.

Lastly, Sunflower Hearts create far less waste compared to sunflower seeds, and simply because there are no dropped husks on the ground. This in turn means a reduced risk of disease, as rotting husks can be a major hazard and in particular for Greenfinches.

The larger the size, the better value for money. However, if you haven’t tried feeding Sunflower Hearts to your garden birds before, then we’d recommend starting with a 6kg bag, then move on to a 13kg sack.

Provided Sunflower Hearts are kept dry in a sealed container and in a cool place, then no, they won’t go bad. Also, the popularity of Sunflower Hearts with garden birds means that a supply is usually quickly used up anyway.

If you want to see a Robin in your garden and are wondering whether Sunflower Hearts will attract the species, then the answer is yes!

Robins naturally feed on invertebrates like insects and worms, plus berries in late summer and early autumn. However, Robins will readily take to food put out for them and including Sunflower Hearts. Robins will feed on pre-husked seeds rather than whole seeds, as the fact that they are a soft-bill species means they are unable to crack the tough outer shell (husk) of whole seeds. This makes Sunflower Hearts an ideal addition to your bird feeder/feeding station if you want to attract Robins and other soft-bill species to your garden.

Yes, Great spotted woodpeckers will eat Sunflower Hearts, and will often cling precariously onto hanging tube feeders to get to them. They will also feed on Sunflower Hearts scattered on the ground.

Sunflower Hearts will potentially attract a large number of bird species to your garden, and notably most species of tit and finch, plus softbill species such as Blackbird. A list of the more common species includes:

Blue tit

Coal tit

Great tit

Chaffinch

Greenfinch

Goldfinch

House sparrow

Collared Dove

Robin

Blackbird

Song thrush

Dunnock

Starling

Great spotted woodpecker