If you’re trying to attract certain species or supplement your bird food during the winter, high energy wild bird seed can be beneficial. Be sure to select a mix that contains various seeds and avoid cheap blends that include fillers.
A suitable wild bird seed blend should include black oil sunflower seeds, which are popular with many species. It should also contain peanut granules, millet, and other grains that birds enjoy.
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Sunflower Seeds
Sunflower seeds make an excellent high-energy wild bird food, drawing in a variety of garden birds. Not only are they packed full of protein, vitamins and minerals; but they’re also high in fiber. Furthermore, sunflower seeds contain polyunsaturated fatty acids which have been known to have heart-healthy benefits.
Sunflower seeds are high in zinc and selenium, both of which help support a healthy immune system. Furthermore, they contain vitamin E – an effective antioxidant that shields skin from free radical damage.
They may help reduce blood sugar levels for those with type 2 diabetes, due to their high fiber, protein and healthy fats content that provides sustained energy intake.
Sunflower seeds can be enjoyed raw, roasted or made into sunflower seed butter. They also add crunch to salads, bars and breakfast bowls by being added to dishes for added crunch.
Peanut Granules
Peanut granules are an irresistibly tasty and high energy wild bird seed that’s easy for smaller birds to eat. They’re popular with garden birds like tits, nuthatches and robins alike, without posing any danger of choking for small babies.
They can be used in a standard seed feeder, on a bird table or even directly on the ground – and best of all? Seeds don’t sprout unwanted plants like seeds do! That’s great news for gardeners everywhere!
Peanut granules make an excellent alternative to whole peanuts during the breeding season, as they’re bite-sized so smaller birds can easily swallow and consume them without having to open the shell.
Millet
Millet is an incredibly appealing wild bird seed that attracts a wide range of backyard species such as doves, jays, cardinals, finches, quail, sparrows and juncos. Not only that but it provides your birds with plenty of nutritional benefits too!
White proso millet is a small, round seed that attracts ground-feeding birds such as juncos, doves, towhees and sparrows. You can offer it alone in a tray feeder or include it with other seeds in your blend for maximum bird appeal.
Millet seeds have a lower oil content than sunflower and safflower seeds, making them less likely to lead to obesity in birds. Furthermore, the seeds boast higher protein and carbohydrate contents than other seed options – making them perfect weaning foods for young birds.
Budgies love millet as it provides them with an opportunity to forage and exercise their natural hunting instincts. This treat works great during training or when your bird is feeling ill; it will keep them occupied while they recover from illness.
Other Seeds
Sunflower seeds are often included in birdseed blends. Not only do they provide nutrition to many different kinds of wild birds, but they’re also an excellent source of energy for these feathered friends.
If you want to attract a certain type of bird, use a seed mix with the appropriate ingredients. For instance, goldfinches prefer nyjer seed but won’t eat cracked corn.
Another option is purchasing a blend that contains black oil sunflower seeds, which are an attractive food choice for many wild birds. Some blends even include small amounts of other seeds loved by birds such as peanuts or millet.
Some mixes contain a high percentage of golden millet or red millet as filler. While these seeds may be popular with some birds, they often go uneaten and accumulate under your feeders, creating an inviting breeding ground for disease and rodents alike.