Bird Food market size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (General Bird Food, Special Bird Food, Others) By Application (Tube Feeders, Feeder Houses, Bird Tables, Ground Feeding) and Regional Forecast to 2033

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BIRD FOOD MARKET OVERVIEW

The Bird Food Market stood at USD 3.54 billion in 2024 and is set to expand to USD 3.64 billion in 2025, eventually reaching USD 4.53 billion by 2033, driven by a CAGR of about 2.77 %.

The international market for bird feed is progressing steadily as the culture of feeding birds expands in both urban and rural areas. Birding enthusiasts and conservationists are purchasing higher quality feed products, first as a support to wild populations, and second to provide for pet populations. The growing consciousness of the need for biodiversity and ecosystem balance also helps to enhance the appeal for suppliers. The market demand appears to be seasonal, species specific, and driven by feeding methods; therefore, it allows for creativity in food items and 'container based' packaging. The trends for home gardening and backyard bird watching will help sustain the development of the industry. Unlike other generic food items, both general and specific food items are sufficient in the development of food items to warrant continued growth of the market. And, with ant continued lack of pet ownership and the ongoing habits that are occurring to become more sustainable around the word, the market for bird food has the potential to develop sustainably.

COVID-19 IMPACT

Bird Food market Had a Positive Effect Due to Increase Interest into Bird Watching during COVID-19 Pandemic

The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with the market experiencing

higher-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. The sudden market growth reflected by the rise in CAGR is attributable to the market’s growth and demand returning to pre-pandemic levels. 

The effects of the pandemic on the bird food market involved changes to customer behavior, as well as interruptions to the supply chain in America. The pandemic lockdowns and related "stay-at-home" orders brought consumers closer to nature, stimulated interest into bird watching and backyard feeding, and demonstrated an appetite for bird food and products, with lower price being secondary. While there was an immediate surge in the demand for bird food products, especially when they were much less available at retail, the rationale was about establishing indoor and outdoor hobbies that represented a zen-like experience for emotional coping strategies while managing anxiety. After consumers established their bird feeding rituals, they started to prompt brands to change how they do business and sustain that change. Retailers and manufacturers began receiving more inquiries about orders not fulfilled than ever before, especially online, but most had to make accommodations or augment e-commerce for the first time. Overall, companies within the bird food market were subject to some breaks due to labor challenges, delays in transportation, and/or struggles sourcing their products (CPG Categories Face Supply Chain Disruptions), which refers to brief acute product availability disruptions and optional delays.

LATEST TRENDS

Rise of Species-Specific and Natural Ingredient Formulas to Drive Market Growth

A prominent trend in the bird food sector is the growing interest in species-specific and natural ingredient feeds. Consumers have become more knowledgeable about species dietary needs, so we have seen a rise in food blends that be for health needs, i.e., feather quality, breeding, energy for migration, etc. As brands have started to also cater to those needs, the trend toward clean label has become more relevant. Consumers are be focused on non-GMO seeds, dried fruits, insects, and other natural ingredients. In addition to the consideration of protein options that are environmentally sustainable and clean, consumers decide to buy feeds based on the value of natural easy to read ingredients. Increased consumer education through digital media, like manufacturer websites on bird care or community pages, advocates for birds in a wider variety of ways, which may lead to higher quality feeds and blends instead of average straight out of the possibly poor quality bag mix. Consumers may be as interested in how organizations source their ingredients and the sustainability message surrounding packaging, which could drive interest in a more premium product.

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BIRD FOOD MARKET SEGMENTATION

By Type

Based on Type, the global market can be categorized into General Bird Food, Special Bird Food, Others:

• General Bird Food: General bird food is a common and flexible product to use for feeding birds of many species. Typically, it is a mixture of seeds, grains, and simple nutrients. General bird food commonly attracts standard backyard and common birds, such as sparrows, finches, and doves. General bird food can be very inexpensive and easy to find, which attracts many people including beginning bird watchers and casual viewers. General bird food is incredibly popular because it is easy to use and appeals to a wider audience which allows the consumer to attract many birds without being a bird expert. Retailers often put this category in the entry-level bin; however, this category is a product staple in urban and rural markets. General bird food is also versatile; it works with most feeders which gives the consumer options for feeding.

• Specialized Bird Food: Specialized bird food is a diet designed for a specific type of bird or dietary reasons that has the most individualized feeding program. These include a high protein mealworm diet for insectivores, nectar for hummingbirds and fortified blends for breeding or molting purposes. Bird enthusiasts and professionals use specialized bird foods regularly to maximize health and longevity, as well as specific behavior. The segment has some quick growth from experienced users that are committed to feeding specialized diets. Specialized bird food, these specialized foods usually include higher quality of ingredients as dried fruits, nuts, or omega seeds. Specialty diets or specialty feeds will continue to be popular with eco-conscious or pet-oriented consumers in both retail and food online purchasing.

• Others: The category of "Others" contains additional formats such as suet cakes, insect blocks, fruit blends, and seasonal recipes. These formats are especially handy during the winter or during breeding season when birds need to put on additional energy and get nutrients. Some products in this category are designed to attract exotic or migratory species to provide variety for bird feeders. This category includes organic bird food products, allergy-friendly blends, and environmentally friendly options. Although it has a small portion of the overall market, it provides a vital diversity of choices for niche needs. Manufacturers often utilize unique and innovative approaches to packaging and marketing the items to attract environmentally conscious consumers or those seeking to improve biodiversity in their local habitats.

By Application

Based on application, the global market can be categorized into Tube Feeders, Feeder Houses, Bird Tables, Ground Feeding:

• Tube Feeders: Among birdwatchers, tube feeders are a popular feeding style – particularly in urban and suburban areas. Tube feeders are vertical feeders of seed that allow for several small birds to feed at once, by use of the small ports. When a tube feeder is placed well, it limits larger aggressive birds from monopolizing the feed and promotes a safe feeding space among owners. Tube feeders are particularly useful for finches, chickadees, sparrows, and the like. The trend toward tidy and low waste feeding options has made the tube feeder style the leading choice among consumers. Tube feeders are also clear so owners can see the seed level. There are also slips for tube-dependent foods that are formulated to reduce the clog and mess, creating a better feeding experience and customer satisfaction, increasing the likelihood of consumers returning to buy additional products.

• Feeder Houses: Feeder houses resemble small houses and can hold a variety of bird species including larger birds such as cardinals and jays. These feeders provide protection from the weather as well as a place for birds to land before or during eating. In addition, because they are covered, the food also remains dry and clean so there is less waste and spoilage. feeder houses are common in gardens and yards and allow birds to feed in a typical setting. Many people especially appreciate the appearance of feeder houses, and many people prefer wood or decorative feeders for their yards. There is also a flexibility in that feeder houses can often hold mix seeds and suet blocks, which makes them very popular in the bird food market.

• Bird Tables: Bird tables are flat, open platforms to scatter various types of bird food and have a wide range of species visiting them. Bird tables provide a free and open feeding Espace; they naturally serve as a focus point in home gardens. Since they are easy to use, bird tables are common feeding stations for people with casual interest in birds or wildlife. Compared to a tube feeder, a bird table allows for food types to be less restrictive - seeds, mealworms, fruits, even kitchen left-overs - while allowing for some variation in feeding circuits. Bird tables are more work to keep properly cleaned than other feeders obviously because of their open feeding feature. Considerable benefit to using bird tables lies in keeping with the natural feeding methods of birds and facilitating bird watching opportunities and wild bird experience.

• Feeding on the Ground: Feeding on the ground is directly placing food on the ground or placing food on shallow trays to attract birds that like to forage at ground level. Birds such as doves, blackbirds, and juncos are species that will choose this method. Feeding on the ground is the most natural method of feeding and allows many more birds to visit the feeding area, especially in rural or wooded areas. Feeding is a simple method of attracting birds, and many people who do area already aware of the issues of this feeding method for example pests, dirt, or contamination. Some consumers use ground feeders with mesh bottoms to save the cleaning hassle and allow for drainage. But despite this method having its problems, many traditional bird feeders seem to enjoy seeing birds behave the way they would in their natural environment.

MARKET DYNAMICS

Market dynamics include driving and restraining factors, opportunities and challenges stating the market conditions.                         

Driving Factors

Increasing Interest in Backyard Bird Watching to Boost the Market

The increase in Bird Food market growth, especially bird watching from home, has promoted the bird food market. People have begun spending money on feeders, bird tables and garden setups to attract and watch birds. This interest in bird watching is not just a hobby for the retired - in our survey it was clear that families were seeking peaceful, nature-based options for leisure, which is hugely beneficial for their wellbeing. Social media, websites sharing information about birds and online birds watching communities have made this interest easier and more sociable to pursue - their motivation is to share their sightings, learning about bird species and following a bird food regime. More people are probably more willing to buy premium bird food to attract species that interest them and provide the basic requirement of continuing to feed them regularly.

Rise in Pet Bird Ownership and Avian Care Awareness to Expand the Market

Another reason for market expansion is the growing number of people keeping birds as pets and increasing knowledge of the diet they need. People with pets today are more likely to provide species-specific food that promotes their pet’s health, mood, and feather condition. Greater access to veterinary care and resources for avian care online has influenced this behavior. The bird food brands are creating species-appropriate, nutrient-balanced blends for exotic birds, and specifically for parrots and parakeets. The evolution of diet from a non-specific seed mix to a diet that is carefully and scientifically arranged indicates that people are beginning to treat their birds in the same manner that they treat the dogs or cats in their homes.

Restraining Factor

Susceptibility to Weather and Pest Issues to Potentially Impede Market Growth

The bird food industry is notably affected by various environmental issues and pest problems, which are highly constraining factors in the bird food market. Outdoor feeding situations are also very often subjected to rain, snow, or humidity - which causes food to spoil quickly, sometimes discouraging birds from returning. Wet or moldy food not only becomes unusable, but it can also jeopardize birds' health. Similarly, bird feeders, and while ground feeders even more, can bring in pests, such as rodents, who may make a new feeding ground for pesto insects or, worse yet, become a new feeding hold for larger animals, such as a raccoon. The new pest issue puts a burden on consumers to keep their feeding station clean and purchase pest-proof feeders. In urbane locations where wildlife might be a problem, or in locations with higher than normal rainfall - these concerns may permanently discourage customers from continuing their bird feeding habit.

Expansion of Online Retail and Subscription Models to Create Opportunity for The Product in The Market

Opportunity

A significant opportunity within the bird food sector is a recognition of the rapid growth of online retail and subscription delivery services. Shopper habits are shifting to convenience and delivery to their door. As such, bird food brands will likely want to strengthen their direct-to-consumer position. Furthermore, the subscription delivery model of regularly sending out bird food, often a mix determined by region or the type of bird being fed, is becoming increasingly popular with busy or rural consumers.

These subscription services will help to create a sense of user loyalty, less friction to buy, and improve regular nutrition routines for birds. Online environments also allow brands to offer educational content, recommend products, and maintain user communities, further increasing brand stickiness. The growing online infrastructure is creating paths into customer contact, brand development, and more effective growth in this market.

Maintaining Product Quality Across Diverse Climates Could Be a Potential Challenge for Consumers

Challenge

The bird food industry faces a significant obstacle with quality control, particularly with the fate of perishability, freshness, and the nutritional quality of products from different climates, as well as distribution and storage conditions. Bird food products with natural, or very high-fat ingredients like suet and mealworms, are susceptible to heat, humidity, and protracted air exposure. In the spring and summer and/or in warmer areas, these types of products can undergo rapid degradation through spoilage, insect infestations, and/or odors.

This also places pressure on manufacturers and retailers for improved packaging, distribution, and management of inventory. In addition, it may also limit the willingness for customers in challenging extreme climates to purchase products in bulk due to material concerns about shelf life. Quality assurance is required to build trust and get repeat purchases.

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BIRD FOOD MARKET REGIONAL INSIGHTS

• North America 

Bird food has one of the largest and most developed markets in the world in North America, especially the US. Backyard bird feeding is a prevalent pastime in the United States Bird Food market and Canada with both cultural and environmental value. Many American households buy bird feeders with high quality mixes as part of their garden or outdoor lifestyle. Bird food in both the US and Canada is sold both in retail and farm supply stores, but also increasingly in supermarkets and increasingly available via online. The availability of the product in many places means the market has solid access points. In addition, local initiatives like conserve programs, local bird-watching groups and more all help drive awareness of bird species and seasonal feed needs. As seasons change in Canada and the US, buying patterns are hugely impacted as this time always account for the largest portion of the demand curve, spikes in demand for bird food in the winter or during migration.

• Europe

In Europe, there is a strong, environmentally motivated bird food market with a high degree of consumer awareness on biodiversity and ecosystem health. The UK, Germany and the Netherlands, have engaged birdwatching communities, wildlife conservation organizations, with strong support for Nature. Bird feeding is a hobby and a way to support wildlife in the urban space. European consumers tend to make decisions about products based on sustainability and as such, manufacturers are adapting and producing eco-friendly packaging and sourcing ingredients responsibly. Post-pandemic growth in interest in nature-related leisure activities has sustained that growth in the market. Programs and organizations supported by government and non-government agencies nationally and internationally, have promoted and developed responsible bird feeding practices in the region, and in-part achieved the development and promotional increase of bird food products in the region.

• Asia

Asia is one of the globe's most rapidly expanding markets for the coffee machine industry, driven by China, Japan, South Korea, and India. Urbanization, the emergence of a middle class, and growing exposure to international coffee culture are changing conventional tea-consuming nations into dynamic coffee economies. The young generation is especially attracted to capsule and espresso machines owing to their convenience and variety. With the growth of café culture, commercial machines are also in demand. Local as well as international brands are heavily investing in local publicity and low-cost models to cater to local tastes. The industry has huge potential with changing lifestyles and eating habits.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Key Industry Players Shaping the Market Through Innovation and Market Expansion

Market development for birds, supported by growing interest in pet birds and an increase in encounters with urban wildlife, is one of the contributing factors to the gradual growth of the bird food market across Asia. In urban areas of countries like China, Japan, and India, we are seeing growth in bird food consumption as bird watching occupies a space as a niche hobby. The bird food market engages with supplying, either from cultural angles or religious perspectives, for birds, but does not consider species-specific nutrition or other nutritional considerations, though it is still relatively narrow in scope. Large online retail platforms is an important avenue that allows consumers to access bird food products directly. Development of urban green space, for example, as bird parks, will continue to stimulate demand for products in the bird food market and renew marketing opportunities for suppliers.

List of Top Bird Food Companies

• Chubby Mealworms (United Kingdom)
• CJ Wildlife (Netherlands)
• Wild Birds Unlimited (United States)
• Vitakraft (Germany)
• ZuPreem (United States)
• Des Moines Feed (United States)
• Vine House Farm (United Kingdom)
• Harrison’s (United States)
• Lafeber (United States)
• Global Harvest Foods (United States)
• RoudyBush (United States)
• Wild Delight (United States)
• F.M. Brown's Sons (United States)
• Bulldogs Feed Company (United States)
• GardenBird (United Kingdom)
• Wagner’s (United States)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT

May 2025: As the world's top exporter of poultry, Brazil has experienced its latest bird flu outbreak in its third largest producing state of Rio Grande do Sul. The response of some nations, like China, the European Union and South Korea to ban imports from Brazil's Rio Grande do Sul state immediately, has disrupted global trade in poultry. The outbreak of disease caused a chicken surplus that depressed prices locally in Brazil and relieved excessive food inflation. The outlook is less clear; the long-term implications of ongoing poultry export bans caused by disease outbreaks, which could suppress production and generate inflationary pressures on food. The outbreak was a timely reminder of the vulnerability to disease outbreaks present in the global poultry supply chain, and the importance of biosecurity practices, and sourcing diversification far back along the sourcing chain of bird food.

REPORT COVERAGE       

The study encompasses a comprehensive SWOT analysis and provides insights into future developments within the market. It examines various factors that contribute to the growth of the market, exploring a wide range of market categories and potential applications that may impact its trajectory in the coming years. The analysis considers both current trends and historical turning points, providing a holistic understanding of the market's components and identifying potential areas for growth.
The research report delves into market segmentation, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative research methods to provide a thorough analysis. It also evaluates the impact of financial and strategic perspectives on the market. Furthermore, the report presents national and regional assessments, considering the dominant forces of supply and demand that influence market growth. The competitive landscape is meticulously detailed, including market shares of significant competitors. The report incorporates novel research methodologies and player strategies tailored for the anticipated timeframe. Overall, it offers valuable and comprehensive insights into the market dynamics in a formal and easily understandable manner.