When it comes to buying bird seed, there is an array of choices out there; however, not all seeds are created equal.
Some seed has been stored for an extended period and could contain pesticides and insecticides that are toxic to birds, making it essential to search for the lowest price wild bird seed available. To do so, it is wise to conduct extensive research.
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Black Oil Sunflower
Black oil sunflower seed is the top choice of many seed eating songbirds. This seed attracts Northern Cardinals, Tufted Titmice, Mourning Doves, House Finches Purple Finches Pine Siskins Downy Woodpecker and more! With its high fat content helping birds survive winter’s harsh temperatures and its nearly 100% free from sticks and stems guaranteeing your feeder won’t become clogged, black oil sunflower seeds offer something everyone is sure to enjoy!
Seed that is easy for birds to digest provides them with energy sources they need. Plus, it’s relatively inexpensive and lasts longer than other seeds; however, squirrels may favor it and become rancid quickly – best offered using hopper or tray feeders.
If you want to grow black oil sunflowers in your garden, select an area with ample sunlight and sufficient drainage. Spread 2 to 3 inches of compost across the soil surface at least an inch deep – this will help retain moisture for your seeds while providing essential nutrients for their development.
Nyjer Seed
Wild Bird Feeding Institute trademark “nyjer” seed, widely popular with finches and other small clinging birds, is especially prized. With its thin shell and high oil content, nyjer provides energy to birds that cannot tolerate fattier foods like sunflower seeds.
Nyjer can be served in either regular tube feeders or special feeders that dangle the seeds upside down to encourage finches to land on them. Because seeds quickly spoil, regular refilling and cleaning of feeders is essential. When purchasing nyjer seed, select bright shiny ones as the dull ones may have lost some oils that make it so attractive to finches.
Low-priced seed blends often include milo, wheat and oats – none of which provide as much nutrition to goldfinches as nyjer does. But if you want to attract goldfinches to your yard, make sure that there’s some nyjer available in your backyard.
Lyric Wild Bird Seed
Many bird species are struggling for survival. Offering extra calories at your feeders could make an immense difference for these wild animals. Look for bulk packages of seed to find the best price, though only purchase enough that can be consumed before it stales or spoils.
The Lyric Delite No Waste Mix is an attractive filler-free blend designed to attract more species of wild birds than standard mixes. Containing black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer thistle seeds and cracked corn for optimal feeding performance in both hopper and platform feeders; shelled peanuts and tree-nut pieces bring woodpeckers, jays and robins flocking towards its feeder.
The Lyric Fine Tunes No Waste Mix is another premium mix to consider. Featuring high-fat peanut pieces that attract woodpeckers, jays, and nuthatches to the feeder. Furthermore, this mix also includes various seeds, nuts, and dried fruits that attract chickadees, blue jays, and tufted titmice to the feed.
Wagner’s Sunflower Seed
This feeder offers an economical solution and will attract a variety of songbirds. With high energy content and a thin shell, Wrens should find this tasty treat easy to consume.
This seed mix features black oil sunflower seeds, striped sunflower seeds and cracked corn to provide a balanced selection of popular bird foods that will attract cardinals, chickadees and woodpeckers. You can use it with either hopper or tray feeders.
This mix is similar to Wagner’s Classic Blend but much cheaper per pound. Unfortunately it contains many less popular milo seeds which generate waste more easily and should be cleaned out more regularly, however this still provides ample food and will attract many different species as well as finches who love finches!
