How to Attract Birds to Your Yard

national audubon society wild bird seed

Contents

Black oil sunflower

If you want to attract colorful songbirds to your backyard, black oil sunflower seeds are a great choice. They have a thin shell and a high fat content, so birds will love them. They’re also an excellent source of energy. You can purchase black oil sunflower seed at your local feed store or order it from the National Audubon Society.

Chewy Online Pet Supplies


35% Off at Chewy.com

+ Free Shipping

Save Now

These seeds are expensive, but they are very popular among finches. Wild turkeys and mourning doves will also eat them. However, these seeds are often untouched at black oil sunflower seed feeders, so it’s a good idea to purchase nyjer-specific feeders. Also, make sure you remove the uneaten seeds frequently, as they’ll spoil quickly. Another popular type of wild bird seed is suet, which is a hard white fat derived from beef. While this seed is often cheaper than black oil sunflower, it contains high calories and is good for the birds.

Nyjer

If you want to attract the attention of birds in your yard, consider providing nyjer, a kind of wild bird seed created by the National Audubon Society. This seed is especially popular with finches, but is also eaten by mourning doves and wild turkeys. Since nyjer has no fillers, it is more expensive than other varieties of bird seed. This type of seed also tends to spoil easily, so it is best to buy a special bird feeder for it.

Nyjer seed is derived from nyjer plants, which have thin shells and are well-liked by backyard birds. It is a good choice for attracting colorful songbirds, such as nuthatches and woodpeckers. It is also an effective seed for backyard bird feeders.

Crimped corn

Crimped corn is a popular wild bird seed and is available in a variety of varieties. These energy-rich seeds are popular among many kinds of backyard birds, such as woodpeckers and cardinals. These seeds are also known to discourage squirrels and starlings from consuming them. Crimped corn and sunflower seeds are both excellent options for feeding backyard birds.

The National Audubon Society recommends black oil sunflower seeds because they have a thin shell and are high in fat. Unlike striped sunflower seeds, black oil sunflower seeds generate less waste below the feeders. They also provide a high value per pound.

Tree nuts

The National Audubon Society sells wild bird seed made from a variety of nuts and seeds. Tree nuts are the most common, but they aren’t the only source of wild bird food. Peanuts and other tree nuts are also found in some brands of bird seed. If you’re allergic to either, you should consider purchasing a different brand.

Sunflower seeds are popular with most birds. Both black oil and striped varieties are good choices. Striped seeds are thicker and harder to open. They attract juncos and woodpeckers. Mourning doves, waxwings, and eastern bluebirds are also big fans.

Safflower

If you are looking to attract birds to your yard, consider offering safflower seed. It’s a great source of fiber, protein, and fat. It is suitable for hopper and platform feeders and attracts a variety of birds, including cardinals and house finches.

Safflower is a hard-shelled seed that is attractive to many kinds of birds. It attracts cardinals, grosbeaks, doves, and sparrows. However, you should note that safflower is not a favorite of blackbirds or squirrels.

Safflower is a major ingredient in many bird seed mixes, and the drought is hurting the harvest in many parts of the country. Safflower is grown in California, North Dakota, Montana, Colorado, and other arid states, but its production is boosted by abundant moisture in the spring. A dry summer will hurt harvests, driving prices up.