WILD BIRD SEED

The most frequent visitors to feeders are the “seed eaters”. You probably have noticed some types of seed disappear faster then others. This is because the seeds differ greatly in attractiveness. Black oil sunflower is the most popular seed with most seed-eating birds. Cracked corn, red, and white millet are the most popular with various sparrows and doves or ground feeders. By changing the feed mix you can change the draw of birds to your feeders. You may also see the birds “kicking” out seed but it may be that what you are seeing is the shell being discarded. If your birds are “kicking” out seed it is because they are trying to get to the seed that they prefer. Observe what they are not eating and change your food to something with less of that seed or does not have that seed at all.

BLACK OIL SUNFLOWER - Black oil sunflower seed is by far the most used wild bird seed because of it’s high oil content and soft shell that allows all birds to get to the meat. The black oil sunflower seed has a very high meat to shell content. If you are using a feeder this should be one of the primary ingredients in the seed that you are using.

STRIPED SUNFLOWER - Striped sunflower seed is larger and tougher shell then the black oil sunflower seed but is liked by many ground eaters as well as many songbirds. The striped sunflower seed is the type of seed used by people. The seed that gets put into feed for wild birds is the smallest of the crop since the larger seeds are packaged for us.

MILLET - Millet comes in red and white. Many birds seem to like the white proso millet better then the red. The regular millet is smaller then proso millet and is used in small pet bird seed mixes.

CORN - Whole kernel corn is an excellent food to attract game birds, quail, ducks, and jays. Cracked corn will draw the same birds above but add smaller songbirds. This can draw many unwanted birds such as pigeons.

MILO - Milo is used as a “filler” in many seed mixes. Many birds do not like this large red round seed unless there is nothing else. You may see this on the ground if placed in a feeder. This seed draws ground eaters and will may also attract unwanted aggressive birds.

SAFFLOWER - Safflower is a seed that is used to dissuade unwanted birds and squirrels from your feeders. 

NYJER - This small black seed is sometimes referred to thistle even though it does not come from the native thistle. The seed is sometimes spelled niger or nyger. This is the only seed that is imported from Ethiopia and India. This seed is sterilized so it will not grow any noxious weeds. This seed attracts small finches and pine siskins. 

PEANUTS - Peanuts are served either shelled or whole. Many types of birds like peanuts but so do squirrels and chipmunks. Jays, woodpeckers, and many sparrows will be attracted by peanuts.

MIXED SEED - Mixed seed is best served by throughing on the ground or placing on platform feeder. Mixed seed usually has a high content of millet which is preferred by ground eaters. Millet is not a favorite of many feeder birds and ground feeders can not get the food from a feeder.

PREMIUM FEEDS

HULLED SUNFLOWER - Hulled sunflower seeds are the seed without the husks or shells. This can be whole seeds or chips for smaller birds. This is a good alternative if you don’t want sunflowers growing under your feeders.

HULLED MILLET - White proso millet shelled. This is an ingredient in some seed mixes that are called “no mess” or “no waste” indicating that the complete seed will be eaten. This is also a good seed for ground feeders but does not germinate under your feeders.

DRIED FRUITS - Raisins, papaya, coconut, and cherries are used in mixes to attract the widest variety of birds. This is liked by everything so you may get birds and animals that you do not desire.

MIXED TREE NUTS - Any animal that likes nuts will really enjoy mixed tree nuts which can be combinations of pecans, cashews, pistachios, walnuts, and any other nuts. This is a very costly mix but does provide for a lot of wildlife at your feeders.  These can be shelled or with shell.

SUET - Suet is beef fat that is rendered to provide longer lasting product. If it was not rendered the suet would turn rancid much quicker. Suet is not a winter only product. You can buy “No Melt” suet that has a high content of corn meal so there is less melting in warmer weather. Suet also can have some vegetable oil used in it to give higher energy to the birds. 

Make your own nectar.

Hummingbird Nectar (sugar water): 4 parts water to 1 part of white granulated sugar.  Boil water 2-3 minutes then add sugar, never add red dye or honey:

 Butterfly Nectar: 8 parts water to 1 part sugar.

 Oriole Nectar: 6 parts water to 1 part sugar.