If you want to attract more wild birds to your garden, millet is one of the ideal seeds to feed them. It especially appeals to ground-feeding species such as sparrows, juncos, doves and cardinals.
It is a low-fat, high-protein bird food that also provides essential B vitamins and minerals. You can either scatter it on the ground or add it to a feeder for birds.
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Ground-Feeding Birds
Millet seed is a favorite food of ground-feeding birds such as sparrows, cardinals, juncos, doves, towhees and more. This small seed boasts high levels of protein, carbohydrates, oil and essential minerals.
Sparrows, for instance, can open millet by rolling its hard outer shell over their tongues and eating the kernel inside. However, some birds such as grackles, cowbirds and starlings don’t like millet so it is best to keep a low percentage of it in your bird seed mix.
A great way to attract a variety of ground-feeding birds is to scatter white proso millet on the ground or offer it in low platform feeders. However, be sure not to put out more millet than what your birds will eat within one day.
Premixed Bird Feeders
There are a range of premixed bird feeders that can help attract wild birds to your yard. These mixes are specifically tailored for different species that feed at both ground and elevated levels, often featuring millet seed as an attractant.
Many low-priced blends contain milo, red millet, wheat and oats as seeds that may not be eaten by most backyard birds. Unfortunately, this waste seed can become a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi.
Sunflower seed is the most common type of bird seed, and it’s preferred by most species. It also makes for excellent ground-feeding food for smaller birds like sparrows and juncos.
Nyjer (also known as thistle seed) is a favorite snack of American goldfinch, Pine Siskins and Common Redpolls. This seed can be served in tube feeders with tiny feeding ports or “thistle socks,” fine mesh bags that birds cling to while extracting seeds; these socks should be changed regularly due to rain exposure; otherwise they may become soggy with rain.
Scattering in the Yard
By scattering millet seed around your yard, you can attract a variety of wild birds. This is particularly effective if the seed is scattered along the edges of hedges or brush piles where migrating species will find it.
Millets are high in calories, protein and fiber and provide energy to small birds that don’t get enough carbohydrates from other sources. They can be poured into low-set hopper, tube or tray feeders as well as spread on the ground or sprinkled onto bare soil for easy access by birds.
Wild-proso millet has long been a serious weed in much of its range, but new infestations can still occur if infected fields aren’t pulverized, combines and forage harvesters aren’t cleaned before moving from an infested field to one without, or there’s too much competition from crops like corn or dry beans. Unfortunately, this weed is less shade tolerant than many others but will grow through crop canopies when there is high shade coverage.
Feeder Mixes
Millet is a small, light-colored seed often included in wild bird mixes. Birds enjoy it because it provides them with energy, protein and fiber in small amounts.
Ground-feeding birds such as finches, sparrows, towhees, juncos and cardinals often feed on peanuts; additionally it attracts quail and pheasants.
Many cheaper bird seed mixes contain large amounts of milo and millet, as well as smaller amounts of cracked corn or sunflower seeds. While these blends may be cheaper, they’re often not particularly tasty for birds – resulting in wasted money.
For a more diverse mix of seeds, opt for one that includes sunflower seeds, cracked corn and peanuts. These three common types of seed all attract different types of birds.
