Quality wild bird seed mixes provide all-year round attraction for backyard birds. When selecting seed mixes for feeders, it should offer good nutrition that attracts desirable species while discouraging non-target ones from staying. Cheap or bargain seed mixes may even push away desirable birds that you wish to attract!
Consider offering high fat blends during the winter when birds require additional calories for keeping themselves warm, while safflower seed is another good choice if your feeders are being invaded by squirrels or problem birds such as starlings & grackles.
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Sunflower Seed
Sunflower seeds (Helianthus annuus) are an increasingly popular choice in many wild bird feeders, drawing attention from cardinals, chickadees, woodpeckers, nuthatches, jays and grosbeaks alike. Plus they attract some insect-eating species like hummingbirds, bees, butterflies and dragonflies too!
Seed-eating birds easily crack open and consume its thin shell, and its oil rich in vitamin E has been used medicinally for purposes such as reducing cholesterol levels, treating bronchial/laryngeal infections, and soothing coughs.
Black oil sunflower seeds are popular additions to wild bird feed mixes and attract an assortment of backyard songbirds. They can be used year-round in hopper, gazebo or tube style feeders.
Milo
Finding the right mix of seeds can attract a diverse array of backyard birds. Understanding which seeds your favorite bird species prefer can help determine which seeds to purchase for your feeders, providing more nutrition while simultaneously deterring unwanted nuisance species like starlings, blackbirds and sparrows from returning.
Milo (sorghum) is an affordable filler seed that’s often included in wild bird feeder mixes. As it contains high proteins and minimal fat content, milo can be combined with black oil sunflower seed, millet or even striped sunflower seeds to form year-round feeding mixtures that attract birds to your feeder.
Milo is not only a bird feed; it’s also a delicious malted powder drink sold in green cans featuring various sports activities and enjoyed worldwide. Milo can be easily prepared by stirring hot or cold water into its powder base before adding milk; it can be found throughout Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia as well as many nations throughout Asia and Africa.
Canary Grass Seed
Canary grass seed contains essential fatty acids for maintaining strong feathers and bodies. Furthermore, its vitamins, minerals and other nutrients contribute to optimal bird health, while its high fiber content helps regulate bowel movements to decrease bloating, gassiness and inflammation.
Canary seeds are less commonly included in wild bird mixes and tend to be more expensive. Canary seeds provide protein, fats and carbohydrates for energy needs. Canary seed blends may be found in higher-end blends that provide premium wild bird nutrition.
Health Canada and FDA granted GRAS status to this glabrous (hairless) variety of canary seed in 2015, making it an increasingly popular ingredient for birdseed mixes. It contains numerous phenolic compounds including ferulic, caffeic and coumaric acids which have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and other health benefits; additionally this type of canary seed has low lignan levels which help lower cholesterol levels and help prevent arterioscleriosis.
Other Seeds
Provide premium bird seeds to attract a wide range of songbirds to your backyard feeders. Consider black oil sunflower seed, millet, striped sunflower seed and peanuts in your mix to draw them in; just avoid salty or candy coated varieties as these may not be healthy options for wild birds.
Safflower seed is another favorite feeder choice. Packed with fat, protein and calcium – as well as providing essential Vitamin E, A and B nutrients – Safflower seeds are loved by birds such as grosbeaks, buntings, titmice, cardinals and nuthatches!
Cracked corn feeders in your backyard feeders are another fantastic way to offer year-round nourishment for birds, offering energy and fiber for them. In addition, offering this food source could deter unwanted visitors like squirrels or raccoons.
