If you are looking for an all-natural way to feed your wild birds, you might be wondering what type of seed to choose. Fortunately, there are several different options available. You can choose from black oil sunflowers, white millet, cracked corn, and lyric sunflower kernels.
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Black oil sunflowers
Black oil sunflowers are a favorite among the birds of North America. They are a valuable source of energy for a wide range of wild birds.
These seeds are a natural food source for most winter birds. Sunflowers contain high oil and fat content. In addition, their shells are thin, making it easier for small birds to break them open.
When it comes to backyard bird feeding, sunflowers are an essential part of any feeder. Many species of bird, from cardinals to finches, will flock to these seeds.
The most common and popular of all backyard bird seeds is the black oil sunflower. This seed has a thick hull, a thin shell, and a high fat and oil content. All of these make it a popular choice for birds.
White millet
If you are a bird watcher who tries to keep the birds at your feeders healthy and happy, you should consider purchasing white millet. This is a high-protein food, and is also rich in calcium. You can scatter it on the ground to attract ground-feeding species of birds, such as juncos.
Millet can be purchased in bulk or packaged as a birdseed. It’s available in both red and white varieties. The red variety is preferred by wild turkeys and pheasants, while the white is better for ground-feeding birds such as sparrows.
Millet is also popular among doves, quails, and other ground-feeding birds. In addition, some larger ground birds such as pigeons and juncos will feed on the seed.
Milo is a large, round seed that is often used as a filler in commercial bird seed mixes. Some birds, however, prefer milo.
Cracked corn
Cracked corn is a good source of protein for many birds. This type of seed is especially beneficial to smaller birds, and will help attract a variety of wild birds to your feeders. It is also a great way to save money on bird seed.
You can purchase cracked corn in the feed supply aisle of your local store, or from a wild bird supply store. A bag of cracked corn is less expensive than a bag of regular bird seed, and is a tasty treat for many species of backyard birds.
Many birders recommend mixing cracked corn with a variety of other seeds to create a balanced diet for a wide range of birds. For example, cracking corn with white millet will attract ground-feeding sparrows.
Lyric Sunflower Kernels
Sunflower kernels are a great source of energy for birds. They attract a wide range of species. This includes nuthatches, chickadees, grosbeaks, house finches, and redpolls.
Many bird feeder mixes contain sunflower kernels. However, the hulls on the shells can be a health hazard to birds. The National Audubon Society prefers black oil sunflower seeds. These seeds are high in fat and protein and have thin shells.
Lyric Wild Bird Mix has a variety of ingredients that include fatty nuts and dried fruit. Their fruit and nut high energy mix is a popular choice for attracting non-seed eating birds.
Some people like to use the striped sunflower seeds because they are tough to break. In order to get the most out of the seeds, choose larger striped seeds. Striped seeds are especially attractive to larger birds with stronger bills.
Safflower
Safflower is one of the most popular seeds in the wild bird world. It is considered a good source of protein and fat, and is eaten by a number of birds. Some species of bird, such as cardinals and purple finches, are known to love safflower seeds.
Although safflower is a favorite food of cardinals, some other birds are not as fond of it. Starlings and blackbirds dislike the seeds’ bitter taste, and sparrows are also uninterested.
Several wild birds, including quail, doves, and juncos are interested in rapeseed. This seed is often found in the mixtures of birdseed.
Some other bird species, such as ducks, geese, and wild turkeys, are more likely to eat milo seed. Milo is harvested from a sorghum plant, and is used as filler in packaged birdseed mixes.
