Bring out whole peanuts and other nuts to attract chickadees, nuthatches and woodpeckers. Many styles are squirrel proof while some come equipped with perches above their feeding ports to ward off larger birds like grackles and other types.
Over 90% of songbirds depend on insects for nestling and fledgling survival in summer months. Nectar for hummingbirds and nyjer seed for goldfinches should be the main sources of nutrition.
Contents
Peanuts
Peanuts make an ideal food choice for backyard birdfeeders because they attract so many different species. Offering whole or roasted, in or out of the shell peanuts will bring cardinals, bluebirds, robins, mockingbirds and mockingbirds right to the feeders! Whole peanuts also work great when placed directly on the ground or placed shallow bowls to attract songbirds that normally prefer insects over soft foods like peanuts.
Chickadees, titmice and nuthatches are among the biggest enthusiasts for peanuts. They love to break open their shells using their beaks before stashing off one or more nuts to store in their nests for later consumption. In addition they will consume chopped or heart peanuts.
Sunflower
Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus), are large annual flowering plants best known for their vibrant yellow blooms and large seeds. Although wild species of the sunflower can vary considerably in appearance and size, cultivated varieties typically possess one or more large flowers on an unbranched stalk. Sunflowers have become an essential crop used worldwide as oil crops, livestock feed ingredients, ornamental uses and even as an effective weed control agent.
Sunflower seeds are frequently boiled in salted water before roasting to infuse the seeds with salt, though you can roast sunflower seeds without this step. Roasted sunflower seeds make an easy snack that provides nutritional benefits including selenium and vitamin E.
As well as being an attractive garden ornament, sunflower leaves provide food sources for some birds – and are an integral component of most woodpecker feeders’ seed mixes.
Millet
Millet is an economical seed that is used to attract ground-feeding birds such as doves, juncos, sparrows and quail. Additionally, when mixed with black oil sunflower, millet attracts quail, chickadees and cardinals. A mainstay in wild bird seed mixes, millet can also be purchased alone or as part of different varieties.
Always read and verify the ingredients in any birdseed blend you purchase, particularly cheaper blends that contain fillers like wheat, oats and milo that may not attract as many birds compared to more expensive black oil sunflower seeds. Cheaper blends could even attract pest birds like cowbirds, starlings or grackles which could attract unwanted attention and be an infestation risk.
White proso millet is the go-to seed of many ground feeding birds such as doves, juncos and indigo buntings. With high protein levels and its ability to germinate quickly in wet environments, millet can quickly become inedible if left to get wet too often; as soon as this occurs germination begins fostering bacteria and fungal growth and spreading too much will quickly lead to wasteful leftovers at your feeders. When offering millet as food source to birds in one or two days will ensure optimal consumption by them all!
Nut Mixes
Nuts are the go-to food of many birds, including woodpeckers and chickadees. Being higher in fat content than sunflower seeds and less likely to spoil, nuts require a stronger feeder to support their weight – seed mixes that contain whole peanuts over peanut hearts are recommended during breeding season as baby birds could choke on them otherwise!
There are numerous bird feeders on the market to dispense nuts and high-calorie food such as suet, fat balls and niger seeds to birds. Many even feature weight sensitive technology that will shut off when squirrels approach, preventing them from accessing their bird food source.
Studies indicate that eating nuts regularly may reduce both total and LDL-cholesterol. Nuts contain essential n-3 fatty acids, antioxidant vitamins and phenolic compounds which have been shown to prevent heart disease by lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels while also improving endothelial function – these benefits appear independent of BMI or alcohol intake as risk factors for heart disease.
