If you're an avid bird watcher or simply enjoy attracting wild birds to your garden, Wild Birds Unlimited is a name you're likely familiar with. Known for its wide variety of bird-related products, expert advice, and dedication to wildlife conservation, Wild Birds Unlimited is a trusted resource for bird lovers of all kinds. Whether you're looking for bird feeders, high-quality seeds, birdhouses, or birding accessories, this specialty store has something to offer for every bird enthusiast. In this article, we will explore the history of Wild Birds Unlimited, the range of products they offer, the benefits of shopping there, and how you can create a bird-friendly habitat using their expert recommendations.

What is Wild Birds Unlimited?

Founded in 1981, Wild Birds Unlimited (WBU) began as a small, family-owned business in Indianapolis, Indiana. Over the years, it has grown into a national franchise with over 300 locations across North America. The store’s primary goal is to provide high-quality birding products and expert guidance to help people create bird-friendly environments in their own backyards. Wild Birds Unlimited is not just a retailer; it's a company that advocates for bird conservation and provides valuable educational resources for bird lovers.

The company’s mission is centered on creating a sustainable future for wild birds by offering products that meet their nutritional and habitat needs. WBU also focuses on providing support to local bird populations through education and community outreach programs.

Products Offered by Wild Birds Unlimited

One of the reasons Wild Birds Unlimited is so popular among bird watchers is its vast range of birding products. They offer everything you need to attract and care for wild birds, whether you're a beginner or a seasoned birder. Here’s an overview of the primary categories of products available at Wild Birds Unlimited:

1. Bird Feeders

Bird feeders are the heart of any birdwatching setup, and Wild Birds Unlimited offers a wide selection of high-quality, durable feeders to suit different bird species and feeding preferences. Some of their most popular feeders include:

• Tube Feeders: Ideal for smaller birds like finches and chickadees. These feeders are often used to dispense seeds like sunflower, safflower, or thistle.
• Hopper Feeders: Larger feeders that can hold a variety of seeds, perfect for attracting species like cardinals, blue jays, and woodpeckers.
• Platform Feeders: Open feeders that are great for ground-feeding birds like sparrows, doves, and juncos.
• Suet Feeders: Designed to hold suet cakes, which are especially popular with woodpeckers, nuthatches, and other insect-eating birds.

Each type of feeder is carefully designed for easy filling, cleaning, and durability, ensuring your birds get a fresh supply of food with minimal hassle.

2. Wild Bird Seed

One of the core offerings at Wild Birds Unlimited is their variety of high-quality bird seeds. They provide specialty seed blends that cater to different bird species, ensuring that your feathered friends get the nutrition they need. Some of their most popular options include:

• No-mess Blends: These seed blends are free from shells and husks, preventing messy seed waste around the feeder and offering a cleaner feeding experience.
• Bird Seed by Species: Wild Birds Unlimited offers seed mixes specifically formulated for certain types of birds, including songbirds, woodpeckers, finches, and more. These blends are designed to appeal to the birds in your area and offer them the right balance of nutrition.
• Single-Seed Options: If you prefer to cater to specific birds, Wild Birds Unlimited sells a variety of single seeds such as sunflower, safflower, peanuts, millet, and thistle.

Their seed blends are carefully sourced and formulated to be fresh and free of fillers like red millet or cracked corn that many birds tend to avoid.

3. Birdhouses and Nesting Boxes

If you're hoping to attract nesting birds to your yard, Wild Birds Unlimited has a wide selection of birdhouses and nesting boxes. These are essential for certain species like bluebirds, chickadees, and wrens that require safe, secluded spots for nesting.

• Wooden Birdhouses: Made from high-quality, natural materials, these birdhouses are designed to withstand outdoor elements while providing a cozy home for birds.
• Decorative Birdhouses: For those who want to add a touch of charm to their garden while helping out local wildlife, WBU offers decorative birdhouses that are both functional and stylish.
• Nesting Materials: Wild Birds Unlimited also provides materials like natural cotton nesting fibers to help birds build their nests.

4. Bird Baths and Water Sources

Water is just as important as food when it comes to attracting and caring for wild birds. Wild Birds Unlimited carries a range of bird baths and waterers that not only offer birds a place to drink but also provide a bathing area for preening and cooling off.

• Solar Birdbaths: Powered by solar energy, these birdbaths are perfect for attracting birds year-round, even during colder months when other water sources may freeze.
• Heated Birdbaths: These are ideal for winter feeding stations, as they ensure that birds always have access to unfrozen water, even in cold temperatures.

5. Birding Accessories

To enhance your birdwatching experience, Wild Birds Unlimited also offers a variety of accessories that cater to both birds and bird watchers. These include:

• Birdwatching Guides: Books, field guides, and identification charts to help you identify different bird species.
• Bird Feeders and Accessories: From feeder poles to squirrel baffles and hanging hooks, WBU offers accessories to optimize your bird feeding station.
• Birding Optics: High-quality binoculars and spotting scopes for a closer, clearer view of the birds in your yard.

6. Wildlife Support Products

Beyond birds, Wild Birds Unlimited is also committed to supporting other wildlife in your yard. They offer products like bat houses, butterfly houses, and even squirrel feeders, which can help create a more biodiverse and harmonious environment.

Benefits of Shopping at Wild Birds Unlimited

1. Expert Guidance

The staff at Wild Birds Unlimited are passionate about birds and are highly knowledgeable about bird care. Whether you're new to birdwatching or an experienced birder, you’ll receive expert advice on which products will work best for the birds in your area.

2. High-Quality, Specialty Products

Wild Birds Unlimited is known for its commitment to quality. Their birdseed blends are carefully crafted to meet the dietary needs of various bird species, and their feeders are durable and made to withstand outdoor conditions.

3. Customer Education

In addition to selling birding products, Wild Birds Unlimited is committed to educating its customers on best practices for bird feeding and conservation. They offer workshops, seminars, and informational resources to help you get the most out of your birding experience.

4. Environmentally Friendly

Wild Birds Unlimited prioritizes sustainability and environmentally responsible practices in their products and packaging. Many of their items are designed to be reusable or made from recycled materials, helping to reduce waste.

Conclusion

Wild Birds Unlimited is the ultimate destination for bird lovers who want to create a bird-friendly sanctuary in their own backyard. With a wide selection of products ranging from bird feeders and high-quality seed blends to birdhouses, water features, and birding accessories, Wild Birds Unlimited has everything you need to attract, support, and care for wild birds. The expert guidance, commitment to conservation, and focus on providing the best products for birds make it a top choice for anyone looking to get involved in birdwatching or enhance their outdoor space for wildlife. Whether you're looking to feed your backyard birds or create a safe haven for nesting, Wild Birds Unlimited offers everything you need to make your birding experience a success.