It will grow consistently between 2025 and 2035, in line with America's increasing fascination with nature and increasing pet bird keeping as well as increasing popularity of backyard bird feeding as a pastime and a conservation activity, says Rabia Ali of Inkwood Research.
Demand for seed mixtures, suet cakes, pellets, and expert diets is growing more varied, seasonal and high-end, courtesy of bird watchers, pet bird enthusiasts and others. The United States USA bird food market was USD 3,163.4 million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 4,049.4 million by 2035, with a CAGR of 2.5% over the forecast period.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Market Size in 2025 | USD 3,163.4 Million |
| Projected Market Size in 2035 | USD 4,049.4 Million |
| CAGR (2025 to 2035) | 2.5% |
An increasing sensitivity to environmental causes, urbanization, and the therapeutic appeal of birdwatching have contributed to making frequent bird food consumers out of USA households. Likewise, consumers are looking for nutritionally balanced, species-specific products containing natural ingredients and with minimal levels of preservatives for species like finches, cardinals, parakeets and parrots.
The second wave of growth is fueled by packaging innovation, species-specific food blends and online availability. Manufacturers and retailers are promoting year-round feeding, as well, since changes in bird migration patterns align with climate change, resulting in constant consumer activity and subscription buying patterns.
This area from New York to Pennsylvania to Massachusetts boasts a huge following of birding enthusiasts. This area experiences the greatest seasonal sales during migration and winter. Specialty bird seed formulations, high-fat foods and squirrel-proof feeders all are in demand. Booming interest in bird feeding is driven by educational outreach of bird sanctuaries and conservation organizations.
In hot climates such as Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, desert weather stimulates interest in water-retaining bird food and bird feeder systems for desert birds. Hummingbird nectar, insect-formulated foods, and foods specifically designed for quail and doves dominate. This, combined with a strong eco-tourism culture, boosts wild bird feed consumption by winter residents and retirees.
California, Oregon, and Washington are pushing an already green bird food industry to be more sustainable, organic, non-GMO, and sustainably grown. Backyard birders in urban backyards and nature preserve visitors in this market, while reduced in volume density (as compared to the Midwest or South) are high-value.
Southeast, including Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas, has intensive market activity for its temperate climate and diversity. They generally have steady demand for year-around feeding there, particularly cardinals, chickadees and mockingbirds. Expansion comes from a combination of wild bird food and household pet bird food, helped by strong bases of avid birdwatchers and the retirement crowd.
It's volume-leading regional market, with major backyard bird feeding activity in Illinois, Michigan and Ohio. The Midwest is traditionally a culture with backyard gardening and feeding, resulting in volume sales of suet, seed mixes and mealworms in bulk. Seasonal promotions from rural consumer segments and wildlife education programs support a large and dedicated customer niche.
Check Availability Supply Chain Disruptions and Ingredient Cost Volatility
The USA Bird Food Industry faces new challenges every day, resulting from fluctuating costs of raw materials, seasonality of crops and global events disrupting the supply chain. Sunflower seeds, millet, safflower and dried fruits are among ingredients impacted by fluctuations in the weather, export restrictions on foreign imports and rising costs from global agricultural stress.
In addition, bird food quality and labeling are not standardized, causing consumers to find it difficult to differentiate between premium and economy brands. It is this trend that is getting very pronounced concern the use of fillers, preservatives and very low nutritional mixtures that require manufacturers to alter, at the same time, recipes -disposable shelf life or price preservation.
Fabulous article from 2019 about Backyard Birding and Environmentally Conscious Consumer Behavior.
This type of bird watching increased especially after the Covid-19 pandemic and has created strong demand for specialty seed mixes including species-specific mixtures and organic/non-GMO. Eco-minded shoppers are seeking out sustainable packaging, sustainably sourced seeds and pollinator- and biodiversity-friendly products.
Manufacturers and retailers are broadening their offerings through subscription models, D.T.C. (direct-to-consumer) online retail and educational tie-ups with birding organizations. Trends of emerging premium and seasonal wild bird food segments, namely, suet, mealworms, and food suited to migratory feeding patterns, are further contributing to USA market expansion.
In 2020 to 2024, the American USA bird food market experienced a boom when people were investing in home recreation and nature recreation. Sales of birdhouses, bird feeders, and high-quality bird food soared. Consumer awareness in terms of ethical sourcing, species-specific feeding, and habitat conservation increased manifold. Supply chain restrictions, however, led to prices increasing and erratic availability of some good ingredients like black oil sunflower seeds and dried insects.
2025 to 2035, the market will transform to a technology-enabled, sustainability-enabled ecosystem. AI-powered bird feeders tracking visits and suggesting what to serve, block chain tracing of sustainably sourced ingredients, and biodegradable packaging innovation will be drivers of differentiation. Climate-resilient blends and products that lead urban biodiversity advancement will also take center stage as the market transitions to more science-based and purpose-driven practices.
Market Shifts: A Comparative Analysis (2020 to 2024 vs. 2025 to 2035)
| Market Shift | 2020 to 2024 Trends |
|---|---|
| Consumer Behavior | Surge in backyard birding and DIY bird care |
| Product Segmentation | General seed mixes, suet cakes, and dried fruits |
| Sourcing and Ingredients | Demand for non-GMO, pesticide-free seeds |
| Retail Dynamics | Rise of online sales and garden center expansion |
| Packaging Trends | Recyclable plastic and resalable bags |
| Market Competition | Led by a mix of national brands and regional specialty producers |
| Regulatory Considerations | Loose oversight on labeling, species-suitability, and ethical sourcing |
| Market Shift | 2025 to 2035 Projections |
|---|---|
| Consumer Behavior | Increased focus on biodiversity, climate-conscious feeding, and wildlife impact |
| Product Segmentation | Highly customized blends for specific birds, climates, and urban environments |
| Sourcing and Ingredients | Full traceability via blockchain , local sourcing, pollinator-friendly certifications |
| Retail Dynamics | Growth in subscription services, DTC platforms, and augmented reality bird ID tools |
| Packaging Trends | Shift to compostable, biodegradable, and refillable packaging systems |
| Market Competition | Dominated by sustainable, tech-integrated, and wellness-aligned brands |
| Regulatory Considerations | Stricter regulations around labeling accuracy, food safety, and environmental claims |
California is among the biggest bird food markets in the United States, backed by its high biodiversity, eco-consciousness levels, and emerging backyard avifaunal population. The state's size and biodiversity attract a large number of bird species, prompting the household and hobbyist to invest in high-end and species-specific bird food.
Cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco are witnessing growth in organic and non-GMO bird feed products, following overall lifestyle patterns towards wellness and sustainability. Northern California bird clubs and neighborhood pet stores, around Sacramento and the Bay Area, are facilitating native bird conservation through specially formulated feeding practices. The green culture of California and the diversity of birds will continue to drive demand for earth-friendly and premium bird feed products.
| State | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| California | 2.8% |
New York's bird food economy is thriving with a vast hobbyist bird-feeding community, particularly in suburbs and rural areas beyond the high-density urban core. While New York City itself is not suitable for backyard space, garden-accessible houses within its boroughs and the Hudson Valley region beyond have growing demand for bird-friendly landscapes.
Seasonal migration through upstate New York boosts demand during spring and fall, with feeders that can be designed to support such species as orioles, finches, and woodpeckers. Increasing popularity of nature-orientated educational activities in schools and civic center’s further promotes multi-generational involvement in bird feeding as an outdoor nature activity. While birding as a leisure activity continues to gain popularity, New York continues to provide a stable market for seed mix, suet cakes, and specialized nutrition programs.
| State | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| New York | 2.5% |
One of the country's largest and most diverse markets for birdseed, Texas owes it to the state's size, variety of ecosystems, and outdoor recreation way of life. Piney Woods in the east, Hill Country and Rio Grande Valley in the south, and scores of Texas coastline offer an incredibly large population of birds accounting for demand for regional-specific food mixes.
Suburban gardeners near Dallas, Austin, and Houston in Texas are interested in having songbirds, cardinals, and migratory birds visit their yards. Cooperatives, feed and farm stores, and outdoor recreation retailers help drive demand for pet bird and wild bird food. The better climate also creates year-round feeding opportunities, providing consistent sales across seasons.
| State | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| Texas | 2.6% |
Florida's birdseed market is helped by a dense population of birdwatchers, retirees, and snowbirds who are more inclined to pursue recreational activities such as feeding wild birds. The state's subtropical climate and rich natural diversity bring many migratory and native species, so it is a twelve-month market for birdseed sales. Miami, Tampa, and Orlando households are embracing backyard habitats and pollinator gardens with bird feeders as a key element of the installation.
Access to wildlife sanctuaries and nature tourism destinations has also led to adoption of responsible bird feeding practices by residents, which generate demand for quality seed mixes, nectar, and fruit-based foods. As Florida continues to maintain its passion for outdoor living and nature interaction, its USA bird food market is poised to experience steady but slow expansion.
| State | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| Florida | 2.4% |
In fact, based on a broad appeal to a wide spectrum of backyard birds, as well as wild birds such as chickadees, cardinals, finches, and even woodpeckers, the seeds and sunflower hearts represent the leading product type in the United States' bird seed market. They have rich compositions of fats, vitamins, and proteins and provide birds with more energy-demanding options, as well as improve bird health at peak migration and even in winter.
Black oil sunflower seeds in particular are used because they have thinner shells and more oil content, so they are easier to eat and more energy dense. Their ever-popularity with the birding community and their ability to attract an assortment of species have made sunflower seeds the cornerstone in bird feeding.
Most feeder’s hopper, tube, and tray feeders can readily accept sunflower seeds, which makes it a more convenient option for consumers. The consistent growth of birdwatching as a hobby in suburban and rural parts of the USA has also played a role in boosting sunflower-based superior bird food demand.
The USD 15-USD 25 price segment is the largest segment of the USA bird food market by price. It appeals to casual and casual birdfeeders, as it falls somewhere between inexpensive and quality in the price and quality spectrum. In addition, it is a mainstream category with products available in mid-range bulk quantities (e.g., 10 to 20lbs) which are well worth repurchasing to active households without being overpriced.
These consumers typically look for a balance of high-quality formulations, like seed mixes or sunflower blends that will attract multiple bird species while remaining within cost-effective buying practices. Merchants such as Walmart, Tractor Supply Co. and Internet merchants such as Amazon regularly carry products in this price range, with routine seasonal discounts and subscription offerings that encourage cylinder-volume purchasing. Additionally, a growing awareness of native species and their contributions toward local biodiversity, especially among suburban and exurban United States populations, has broadened the customer base for this sale price category.
The USA Backyard USA bird food market is growing largely because of a growing love for birding in the backyard, green lifestyle, and a greater focus on bird conservation. The market is a healthy mix of old-line pet food companies, wildlife-intended brands and purpose-driven organic and regional players.
The offerings trend toward high-quality, non-GMO, and habitat-safe product offerings, from wild bird seed blends to suet cakes and nutritional pellets. Tech-savvy consumers also want, smart packaging, subscription delivery services, and advice on how to feed different species of birds. Trends in DIY birding culture and garden integration are disrupting the marketing and sale of bird food across the USA.
Recent Developments
Market Share Analysis by Key Players
| Company Name | Estimated Market Share (%) |
|---|---|
| ScottsMiracle-Gro | 20 - 25% |
| Kaytee | 15 - 20% |
| Pennington | 12 - 16% |
| Wild Delight (D & D Commodities Ltd.) | 8 - 12% |
| Wagner’s | 6 - 10% |
| Other Playes | 20 - 30% |
| Company Name | Key Offerings |
|---|---|
| ScottsMiracle-Gro | Offers a wide range of wild bird food under Songbird Essentials and Audubon Park, including species-targeted blends, suet, and insect-based mixes. Known for broad retail reach and consumer trust. |
| Kaytee | A long-standing name in bird food and small pet nutrition, Kaytee offers wild and pet bird food, treats, and foraging blends. Strong R&D focus and educational outreach. |
| Pennington | Supplies premium wild bird food in the USA , including proprietary bird-seed blends, safflower and black oil sunflower seeds. They also emphasize sustainable sourcing and pollinator support. |
| Wild Delight | A premium bird food brand offering nutrient-rich, fortified mixes for specific species. Their high-protein and nut-based blends are especially favored in colder climates. |
| Wagner’s | Specializes in wild bird seed blends and feeders sold through mass retail and online. Known for affordability, quality consistency, and beginner-friendly packaging. |
Other Key Players
On the basis of Product Type, the USA bird food market is categorized into Sunflower Seeds/Hearts, Peanuts, Niger, Millet, Others (Suet, Mealworms)
On the basis of Price Range, the USA bird food market is categorized intoUnder USD 15, USD 15 to USD 25, USD 25 to USD 50, USD 50 to USD 75, Above USD 75
On the basis of Sales Channel, the USA bird food market is categorized into Direct and Indirect Sales.
The overall market size for USA bird food market was USD 3,163.4 Million in 2025.
The USA bird food market is expected to reach USD 4,049.4 Million in 2035.
The fascination with nature and increasing pet bird keeping as well as increasing popularity of backyard bird feeding will drive the demand for bird food market.
The top states which drive the development of USA bird food market are California, New York, Texas, and Florida.
Sunflower Seed and Hearts and USD 15-USD 25 are the leading segment in the bird food market.
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USA Bird Food Market
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