Attract colorful wild birds to your backyard with this high-quality seed mix! Perfect for use in hopper, gazebo and tube feeders.
Black oil sunflower seeds are among the most beloved and sustainable feed options, producing little waste except shells from disintegration. Furthermore, these work well when combined with nyjer thistle for maximum effect.
Contents
Sunflower Seed
Sunflower seeds are packed with antioxidants, flavonols, fiber, plant-based protein and heart-healthy fats – not to mention mineral nutrients such as iron, magnesium and potassium! Plus they’re allergy-friendly making them a fantastic alternative to peanuts or tree nuts for people with food sensitivities or allergies.
Sunflower seeds are an excellent source of vitamin E and provide ample amounts of folate, manganese, copper, phosphorous, magnesium and selenium. Furthermore, sunflower seeds provide heart-healthy omega-6 fatty acids. In order to balance out your ratio between omega-6 and omega-3 fats in your diet.
Sunflower seeds are packed with soluble fiber, making them an effective way to help avoid constipation if you suffer from sensitive stomach conditions. Furthermore, sunflower seeds provide phytoestrogens which act like estrogen on our bodies – believed to help support balanced hormonal levels for both men and women (10)
Safflower Seed
Safflower seed is a small white seed with an angular hard shell. These seeds are more attractive to birds than black oil sunflower seeds and cardinals, grosbeaks, chickadees and doves alike tend to favor them as food sources. Furthermore, these bitter tasting seeds make an effective deterrent against larger nuisance birds like European Starlings or Grackles that might otherwise try cracking open larger seeds more readily.
Safflower seeds are grown for their high concentration of linoleic acid, an anti-inflammatory agent used to treat arthritis. Safflower seed production occurs across many countries including Mexico, India, the US and China and they’re typically mixed with other bird food items like black oil sunflower seed or millet to attract wild birds of various varieties. Safflower feeders work best when placed in tray or hopper feeders that allow seeds to fall out gradually without spillage – even used to attract finches and small songbirds into garden beds!
Nyjer Seed
As commonly known as niger, nyjer or thistle seed, niger/nyjer is an oil seed with high fat and low protein contents that finches love. Feeders filled with this tasty treat attract pine siskins, house and purple finches as well as goldfinches, redpolls and indigo buntings; in addition, sparrows/doves and juncos can often scavenge leftover nyjer seeds on the ground feeder or find them scattered among them.
Nyjer seeds contain highly oily seeds with thin shells that easily become rancid over time, so heat sterilization must take place prior to being bagged and sold in the United States.
Nyjer seed can be costly due to its cost. It is usually included in finch mixes and other blends to attract finches; smaller quantities may also be purchased separately. As its lifespan is so short, serving fresh seed at all times is essential if finches and other birds choose other natural food sources instead. Nyjer is produced commercially in India and Ethiopia before being transported for heat sterilization here in America.
Millet
Millet is an essential ingredient in many wild bird feeds, being both gluten-free and high in fiber and magnesium content – two benefits which help lower blood pressure. As wheat contains gluten, millet can provide relief for celiac sufferers as well as those simply looking to switch things up! Millet makes for an excellent grain option.
Foxtail millet boasts a low glycemic index and contains B vitamins, protein, calcium and iron – as well as the phytochemical lignan which has been shown to significantly decrease breast cancer risk by 50% according to recent studies.
Lentils are an excellent source of dietary fiber, helping improve digestion by preventing constipation, flatulence, bloating and cramping. Lentils are an ideal choice for people with high cholesterol levels as it reduces LDL and increases HDL cholesterol levels while providing more satiety than rice can prevent overeating – something popular in South Indian cuisine such as idlis and dosas.
