Most inexpensive wild bird seed mixtures include large portions of sorghum (milo), oats, and wheat seeds that feeder birds can consume; however, their preference tends to lie in sunflower, safflower, and peanut seeds which contain more protein and fat compared with these three components. As a result, heaps of uneaten seeds end up under feeders, taking up space beneath feeders.
Sunflower Seeds
Sunflower seeds are harvested from Helianthus annuus sunflower plants and sold in various forms, from raw or roasted to be consumed as snacks. Packed with nutrients like Vitamin E, folate, phosphorus, copper manganese selenium; sunflower seeds contain these vitamins along with B6 that plays an integral part in regulating hormones, improving mood and relieving symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome.
Sunflower seeds boast a low glycemic index rating, meaning they don’t cause sudden spikes in blood sugar. Their high fiber content slows digestion of dietary carbohydrates and keeps blood glucose stable – helping lower risk for type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance. Sunflower seeds also contain monounsaturated fat which has been linked with healthier hearts as well as phytochemicals which protect from free radical damage while simultaneously helping lower cholesterol and blood pressure.
Sunflower seeds are an excellent source of protein, helping build muscle mass and manage weight. In addition, sunflower seeds are rich in magnesium which is known to relieve joint and muscular discomfort. If you’re trying to lose weight, sunflower seeds can help with weight loss by being low in calories. Puffs are also an ideal snack for people living with type 2 diabetes, helping to control blood sugar levels and lessening risks such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and cholesterol issues. Studies with 22 women with type 2 diabetes demonstrated that eating 1 ounce (30 grams) of sunflower seeds daily helped them lower their systolic blood pressure. Linoleic acid found in sunflower seeds converts into compounds which relax blood vessels, helping promote reduced systolic blood pressure levels.
White Proso Millet
White proso millet (Panicum miliaceum) seeds are popular with birders who wish to draw multiple species of birds into their backyard feeders. It can be scattered on the ground or offered in tray or platform feeders; usually combined with black oil sunflower seeds in order to increase both nutritional value and bird appeal – helping ensure birds will actually consume it rather than discarding or ignoring it!
As with other millets, proso millet is a high-yield crop with low sugar levels that is easy for birds to digest. Additionally, its protein content makes it an excellent food source for some species with restricted diets, like quail, pheasant and turkey. Proso millet can also be planted as wildlife cover crops in drought-prone regions for drought management purposes.
Proso millet is an ancient grain domesticated approximately 10,000 years ago in China or Western Asia; evidence for domestication can also be found elsewhere. It’s often considered one of the first domesticated cereal grains.
White proso grass is a warm season summer annual bunch grass with an extremely short growing period, making it very attractive to doves and quail as wildlife food sources. Drilling, broadcasting or sowing White proso can provide food sources to feed an assortment of game birds as well as exotic bird species.
Fast-maturing varieties such as this one can be planted directly after frost in spring or summer to most soil types, and provide valuable soil improvement benefits as a cover crop or component in wild bird mixes designed to attract doves, quail and other exotic birds.
