Living with Birds Food for robins

Food for robins and other softbills

All birds aren’t the same. Softbilled species like robins, song thrushes and blackbirds struggle to open tough seed husks that other birds take in their stride. What’s more, several softbills shun tubular feeders and prefer to forage on the ground.

With a specially-blended food like our I Love Robins® food – and the right feeder – you’ll boost the chances of attracting robins and other softbills to your garden. Live mealworms are also an unbeatable source of easily-digestable protein, and a year-round favourite. 

I Love Robins® Bird FoodI%20Love%20Robins%20LWB%20Cover%20Image
Hand-blended, I Love Robins® delivers an irresistibly aromatic energy burst that's perfect for winter feeding. Packed with fruit, shrimp, insects and honey, it’s also welcomed by song thrushes, blackbirds and other soft-billed species.

from £5.99

Live Mealwormslive mealworms live mealworm tub
Mealworms provide a safe, nutritious source of protein for most garden birds - especially adults to feed their young. This most desirable of foods is easily served, a few dozen at a time, from a shallow, steep-sided dish covered from the rain.

from £7.90

Robin Mix Bird Foodtable ground jars collection rm

Robins, blackbirds and song thrushes aren’t big seed eaters. Here’s a specially tailored blend that includes peanut granules, sultanas and sunflower hearts, with no husks that softbills struggle to open.

from £14.50

Dried Mealwormsdried mealworms

Our Dried Mealworms are easier to store than live mealworms, so much more ideal for anyone who's squeamish about handling live foods.

from £4.49

Live Mini Mealwormslive mini mealworms
Typically 13-18mm long, these young mealworms are particularly suitable for fledglings just starting to feed themselves.

from £10.60

I Love Robins® Hanging Treat Dishtray platform feeders hanging treat dish

The I Love Robins hanging treat dish provides plenty of room for birds to perch and feed in comfort. Simply find a quiet spot in the garden and hang the dish from a branch or hook.

from £14.99

I Love Robins® Easy-Clean Treat Dishi love robins collection 2024 ilr td

Turn dish in place to prevent lifting or tipping & Durable polycarbonate resists cracking and yellowing. Suitable for ground or bird table placement so great for birdtabe mix birdfood, I Love Robins® and serving mealworms.

from £12.99

I Love Robins® Feederi love robins collection 2024 ilr x2
There's lots of room for birds to perch and feed in comfort, with the curvaceously re-styled crystal clear tray and dome offering an unobstructed view of the action.

from £28.99

I Love Robins® Pearl Feedertray platform feeders pearl feeder

The dome height adjusts in an instant, allowing easy access for smaller species like tits, robins, sparrows and finches while deterring pigeons and other big birds. Great for I Love Robins® and serving mealworms.

from £14.99

I Love Robins® Window Feederwindow feeders window

Durable polycarbonate for a clear view of feeding birds with powerful suction cups leave no marks on glass. Optional Feeder Fixer for wall mounting. 

from £19.99

I Love Robins® Treat Traywindow feeders treattray

Fill the clear, sturdy tray with I Love Robins® foodseeds and blends or mealworms and get ready to enjoy the show. Treat Tray clings to any window and removes easily. It’s made in tough polycarbonate that won’t crack or discolour.

from £6.99

I Love Robins® Ceramic Dishtray platform feeders robin dish
Especially made for Britain's favourite bird, our new feeding dish is frost proof and dishwasher friendly. A smooth rim lets birds perch in comfort.

from £14.99

Your questions answered

Do softbills really have soft bills?

The term ‘softbill’ is a misleading one. It’s not particularly scientific: besides, many birds with soft bills can still draw blood or rip bits from your body (I’m thinking of toucans here!) The word ‘soft’ is the clue here. It really refers to birds that feed primarily on soft foods – mainly invertebrates and soft fruits but not seeds. What’s more, most birds flip regularly from one food to another, making this definition even more confused. In purely garden bird terms it’s pretty safe to say that ‘softbills’ are everything but finches.

What are mealworms?

Mealworms aren’t maggots: they’re the larval stage of the flour beetle. This innocuous little species is vegetarian, thriving as its name sort of suggests on bran or rolled oats. So unlike maggots there are no nasty niffs, and they certainly won’t turn into flies.

What are mealworms?

Mealworms aren’t maggots: they’re the larval stage of the flour beetle. This innocuous little species is vegetarian, thriving as its name sort of suggests on bran or rolled oats. So unlike maggots there are no nasty niffs, and they certainly won’t turn into flies.

Why are mealworms great for garden birds?

Many species need insects in their diets, but these can be hard to find. Mealworms are a clean, convenient way of providing the insect protein they need. These live insect treats are particular favourites of blackbirds, song thrushes and starlings. They’re more practical than you would imagine, with a long shelf life if they don’t get frosted.

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