Wild birds need extra calories during winter and for reproduction, and feeders can help provide them with extra sustenance.
Many budget bird seed blends contain sorghum seeds that often end up discarded into heaps of waste, and could potentially become mold-contaminated and wet from rainwater accumulation.
This year-round mix containing black oil sunflower seeds, hulled peanuts, and nyjer is designed to feed west-coast wild birds of various species. Perfect for use with blackbird or nut feeders; ground feeding species such as sparrows and towhees may also enjoy it!
Contents
Suet Cakes
Suet cakes are an effective way to attract woodpeckers and other suet-feeding birds, typically comprised of rendered beef suet and other high-quality ingredients that provide balanced diets for wild birds.
Suet can be an especially beneficial food source in fall and winter feeding as its rich fat provides energy quickly for birds to utilize and use; additionally, it helps supplement natural sources that may become scarcer during these times.
Look for recipes with actual suet as opposed to flour or other low-nutritional value ingredients, like flour. Suet cakes that feature fat are ideal because it provides woodpeckers and other birds with essential energy they require for feeding, while adding spice such as cayenne can deter squirrels while drawing other species closer in. Cakes can either be placed into a feeder or placed into holes drilled in logs to hang from trees.
Sunflower Seed
Black sunflower seeds are the go-to seeds for most wild birders and should be an integral part of all feeder mixes. Their energy density per pound makes them the “gold standard” in wild bird food; additionally, their thinner shells allow birds easier access.
Sunflower seeds are an excellent source of protein, fat, fiber and vitamin E. Furthermore, sunflower seeds contain high concentrations of polyunsaturated fats which are known as “good” fats that may help lower cholesterol levels.
Black sunflower seeds can be enjoyed raw, roasted or salted and can be found in various snack products. Black sunflower seeds provide an excellent source of linoleic acid while also boasting polyphenols such as caffeic, chlorogenic, caffeoylyquinic ferulic gallic and sinapic acids – an abundance that makes for excellent energy boosters in birds of all varieties! For optimal bird nutrition provide them alone or combine them with healthy ingredients in combinations like the Kaytee Nut & Fruit Wild Bird Seed Mix in order to meet high energy demands in birds!
Nyjer Seed
Nyjer (sometimes referred to as niger seed or black oil seeds) are small seeds favored by numerous bird species, particularly finches. Packed with oils for energy-rich songbirds like finches, these nutritious seeds also promote healthy feather growth by providing insulation, waterproofing and flight capacity benefits. Due to their hard shell nature and small size, nyjer seeds should only be provided using feeders with mesh or small port feeders with closed systems that prevent spillage or overflow, as this design limits seed waste while discouraging unwanted visitors such as rodents as well as pest birds like pigeons or grackles from pestering songbirds!
Nyjer seeds can be found at local garden centers, pet stores and specialty bird shops; as well as online retailers. Be sure to store it in a cool, dry area in order to prevent spoilage or mold growth; this will preserve its nutritional value while giving birds maximum enjoyment from each seed.
Millet
Millet is a group of small-seeded grasses commonly cultivated as whole grains. Their mild and nutty taste pairs nicely with warm spices, citrus fruit or herbs such as parsley and cilantro; as well as roast vegetables and fruits.
Millets boast a higher protein content compared to other cereal crops such as wheat, barley and rice. Millets provide essential dietary fiber, manganese and phosphorus sources and also boast significant levels of vitamins B6 folate pantothenic acid and riboflavin.
Finger millet offers a more balanced amino acid profile than other varieties of millet [13]. As such, it can fulfill the nutritional requirements of African farmers and families during drought conditions.
