Store bought blends often contain unwanted seeds that attract unwanted scavenger birds and rodents, creating waste seeds on the ground that attract unwanted scavenger birds and rodents.
Milo and wheat are low-cost ingredients used to fill seed blends. Unfortunately, wild birds often consume them only to deposit any leftover seeds on the ground where it decomposes quickly.
Contents
Organic
Hulled sunflower seeds are an absolute necessity in any bird feeder, as they’re easy for birds to digest without creating too much mess. While this seed tends to be more costly per weight than black-oil or striped sunflower, many birders feel its worth the cost for its many benefits.
Small thistle seeds – also called thistle seed – provide energy-rich meals for smaller songbirds such as purple finches, goldfinches, pine siskins, indigo buntings and quail. They’re often served in thistle or finch feeders.
Non-GMO
Organic non-GMO bird seed is produced without using synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, giving birds access to more natural diets while supporting healthier ecosystems.
Seed blends that attract multiple perching and ground feeder species will bring the greatest diversity of wild birds into your backyard. Sunflower seeds, nyjer (thistle) seed, cracked corn and millet draw black oil sunflower feeder specialists while sparrows and juncos flock to ground feeder stations with cracked corn or millet for ground-feeding stations.
Canola seed is a favorite among finches and often included in mixed birdseed blends, while flax seed (also referred to as linseed) plays an integral part in winter mixes. Peanuts can also attract woodpeckers; tray or hopper feeders may provide these treats – just be wary if squirrels get them first!
Fresh
Organic bird seed offers multiple advantages over conventional seeds: no pesticides or synthetic fertilizers that could harm birds are present, meaning fresher seeds with higher vitamin and mineral concentrations than conventional products.
Organic bird seed is free from fillers that could clog feeders or end up on the ground, drawing less desirable birds into your garden. To be safe, it is wise to opt for a blend that has been thoroughly researched and field-tested, so that it attracts only birds appropriate to your area.
Lyric’s Fine Tunes No Waste Mix is a delicious and nutritious wild bird seed mixture created to attract songbirds. It includes premium black oil sunflower seed, peanut pieces, hulled white proso millet and shelled pumpkin seeds – ensuring maximum songbird attraction!
Blends
The ideal blends contain high-quality ingredients that are both nutritional and cost-effective, such as seeds of high nutritional value that birds won’t bother with or simply kick around underneath your feeders. Stay away from cheap filler seeds that birds won’t touch.
Black Oil sunflower seeds are an integral component of most bird seed blends, as their thin shells make them easy for most birds to crack while providing essential fatty acids for health and happiness.
Quinoa seeds offer birds numerous health advantages over most other grains, including providing essential calcium for egg-laying and chick development.
Protein
Black oil sunflower and nyjer thistle seeds contain high levels of proteins and fats that provide energy to wild birds during migration and winter migrations, providing additional calories that provide energy boosts.
Other seed options to consider for wild birds’ feed blends include white millet (not to be confused with red milo, which is a grass seed used as bird feed in winter mixes), cracked corn and flax seed or linseed. Canola seed or rapeseed is another good choice because of its essential fatty acids necessary for their survival.
Stay away from feeding birds diets composed solely or mostly of corn and other grain fillers as these don’t provide the right balance of nutrition for their wellbeing. Look instead for high-quality bird food containing seeds and fruits as this will provide optimal care.
Fat
Suet blocks, cakes or plugs are an effective way to attract more wild bird species to your garden and meet their energy requirements during autumn and winter months. Many bird enthusiasts make their own suet cakes using various seeds and nuts that appeal to a range of birds.
Be wary of buying cheap bird seed, as this will likely contain filler seeds without protein, fat, or nutritional benefits for wild birds. Look for bird food products with guaranteed analyses for protein, crude fat, fiber content on their labels.
Fiber
Wild birds expend millions of calories daily and to maintain energy levels they rely heavily on seeds as sources of crude fat and fiber to aid their digestive processes.
Organic produce is grown without harmful chemicals and pesticides, protecting both the environment and providing birds with a healthier diet.
This high-energy mix includes black oil sunflower, white safflower, striped sunflower and peanut hearts to attract songbirds of various species. Furthermore, its shellless composition deters squirrels and grackles.
