Different birds eat different seeds. One of the mainstays for the backyard bird’s stay is the sunflower. However, there are different types of seeds that attract birds. Generally speaking, the mixtures of oats, red millet, and other fillers are not that attractive to the birds and lead to a lot of waste as the birds sort through the mix. You need to decide which type of feeder to use and also which types of seeds to buy for birds. It would be best to always take some time to choose the right seeds for the birds you want to attract.
Listed below are some of the bird’s seed components that will help you to attract birds. You can get the mixture from the market or can mix it on your own. It is beneficial to do some research and create your mixture for birds you want to attract.
- Sunflower seeds
- Safflower seeds
- White proso millet
- Cracked and shelled corn
- Peanuts
- Suet cakes
- Milo or sorghum
- Nyjer and thistle
Sunflower Seeds
This is one of the most versatile among all seed types. It attracts a variety of birds to your feeder. One of the most famous bird seeds for the bird feeder is the black oil sunflower seeds. The sunflower oil seed is easier to crack open, so the thin birds such as chickadees open and devour it. It is especially beneficial for birds in winter as the black oil sunflower is a rich source of fats.
Another type of sunflower seed called the striped sunflower seeds has thicker shells suitable for the heavy billed birds such as cardinals. As compared to the black-oil sunflower seeds, it is harder to crack open them. Striped sunflower seeds are a great choice when you don’t want to feed house sparrows and blackbirds.
A few birds that feed on sunflower oil seeds are cardinals, house finches, grosbeaks, pine siskins, woodpeckers, nuthatches, etc., to ensure all hulled seeds are good to go. Still, the hulled seeds are a bit more expensive than the ones with the shells, and also you need to refill the feeder often.
Safflower Seeds
They have thick shells, so it is hard for some birds to crack open them. But it is a favorite food for the cardinals. Other birds like doves, native sparrows also like to have it. Some of the birds have also developed a taste for it. For cardinal and grosbeak birds, you should prefer hopper feeders. This makes the safflower seeds an excellent choice for the birds.
Some of the birds that enjoy the safflower seeds are- doves, purple finches, cardinals, titmice, etc.
White Proso Millet
The seed of the millet is hard, which eventually makes it less susceptible to rot. This seed is popular among small beaked birds and ground-feeding birds. This is also the favorite of quails, native American sparrows, towhees and juncos, etc. It is advised by the bird specialist not to use millet. Here, the seeds must be spread or scattered on the ground. Set low tray feeders with a good choice of drainage, which can be a good choice for the white millet.
Some of the birds that enjoy millet include- cardinals, native sparrows, quails, juncos, etc.
Cracked And Shelled Corn
Cracked and shelled corn is always a good option for ground-feeding birds and ducks. If the corn gets damp, it can be turned into finely ground corn and can primarily feed the small-beaked bird. The corn rots can quickly become wet, so you must put them into the waterproof feeder or instead put them in small quantities. Cracked corns are favorites of deer and squirrels too. You need to watch for colors of red or pink. That seed can be harmful to the birds as it is infected with a fungicide. So make sure not to use that particular seed.
Some of the birds that cracked corn may attract are goose, jays, pheasants, grosbeaks, pigeons, etc.