Black oil sunflower seed is one of the best all-around wild bird foods. Pennington Select Black Oil Sunflower is a bagged version of it that attracts cardinals, chickadees, finches, titmice, nuthatches and woodpeckers to a feeder.
Why Black Oil Sunflower Works
Black oil sunflower seeds have thin shells that small birds can crack easily, and the kernel is high in fat, which gives birds energy, especially in cold weather. That’s why they’re a staple in many seed mixes and a good choice for a single-seed feeder.
Birds It Attracts
Expect northern cardinals, black-capped and other chickadees, tufted titmice, house and purple finches, goldfinches, nuthatches, downy and hairy woodpeckers, juncos and pine siskins, depending on where you live. Larger birds such as blue jays and grosbeaks also come for it. Squirrels like it too, so use a baffle or squirrel-resistant feeder if that’s a problem.
What to Look For When Buying
- Clean, full seeds: avoid bags with lots of dust, empty hulls or a musty smell.
- A single-ingredient bag or a mix built on sunflower rather than one filled with cheap filler like milo or lots of cracked corn, which many birds ignore.
- Bag size: choose a size you’ll use within a few months so the seed stays fresh.
- Current label: bag sizes, prices and ingredients can change, so check the product page or label at the store for details.
Feeding Tips
- Use a tube, hopper or platform feeder and fill it with only a few days of seed at a time.
- Clean feeders every couple of weeks with a mild dish-soap or diluted bleach solution, rinse well and dry them to help prevent disease.
- Rake up spilled hulls under the feeder, because they can build up and attract pests.
- Store seed in a sealed metal or heavy plastic container in a cool, dry place so it doesn’t mold.
Related Reading
For where to buy and what else to feed, see our posts on wild bird seed at Tractor Supply, Royal Wing black oil sunflower and what to feed wild birds when you’re out of seed.
Bottom Line
Black oil sunflower is a reliable, high-energy choice for backyard birds, and Pennington Select is one widely available version. Pick fresh seed, keep feeders clean and offer it in a feeder that suits the birds you want to attract.
