Happy Birdwatcher is a company that provides high-quality, customized birdseed blends designed to attract specific bird species based on regional data. Founded by Susan Vandergriff, the company offers tailored birdseed that helps customers create vibrant backyard birdwatching experiences. What began as a personal journey of relaxation and discovery has turned into a business that now serves customers across 49 states.
Susan Vandergriff’s passion for birdwatching started in 2019 when she sought a way to manage stress and anxiety. One morning, she used the 5-4-3-2-1 technique to focus on her surroundings and noticed birds singing outside her home. She downloaded a bird identification app and quickly became fascinated with identifying different species. Over time, her interest in birdwatching grew, and she began setting up feeders in her yard.
Frustration with store-bought birdseed led her to experiment with custom blends in her own kitchen. The bird activity in her backyard increased, confirming the effectiveness of her carefully chosen ingredients. Encouraged by this success, she officially launched Happy Birdwatcher in 2021. What started as a small-scale operation at home expanded into a warehouse in Dunlap, Tennessee, allowing the company to reach a nationwide audience. The business has been featured in The Washington Post, Forbes, and Southern Living.
Happy Birdwatcher focuses on providing birdseed blends designed specifically for the birds in a customer’s region. The company uses local bird data and customer input to create mixes that attract both resident and migratory birds. Unlike many store-bought birdseed brands that contain fillers such as corn and milo, Happy Birdwatcher’s blends consist only of high-quality ingredients that birds actively eat.
Each batch includes nutrient-rich seeds such as black oil sunflower, hulled sunflower, safflower, white millet, striped sunflower, and peanuts. For insect-eating birds, the company also offers dried mealworms. The birdseed is hand-mixed in small batches to maintain freshness and quality. Customers receive an information letter with their order, detailing the specific blend and tips for attracting birds in their area.
Happy Birdwatcher prioritizes sustainability by using eco-friendly packaging. The company avoids plastic, opting for paper product bags, recyclable boxes, and compostable transparent pouches. High-quality seeds contain natural oils that may cause dark spots on the packaging, so the company recommends storing birdseed in airtight containers for freshness. To assist customers, they offer colorful galvanized metal pails for seed storage.
As a registered Benefit Corporation, Happy Birdwatcher operates with a mission that extends beyond profit. For every 10 pounds of birdseed sold, the company donates $1 to organizations supporting mental health and addiction recovery. In addition, the company promotes birdwatching as a means of improving mental well-being. Studies have shown that watching birds can reduce stress and enhance overall life satisfaction.
Happy Birdwatcher provides customers with the option to receive regularly scheduled deliveries of birdseed. The company keeps track of bird migration patterns and adjusts seed blends accordingly. This ensures that backyard birdwatchers always have the right seed for the season. The service eliminates the need to sort through birdseed at the store and helps customers maintain an active birdwatching environment year-round.
