Red Ribbon is a house brand sold in Canada at Canadian Tire, and its No Corn Blend is a mixed wild bird seed made without cracked corn. A corn-free mix can mean less waste and fewer unwanted visitors, but ingredients vary by bag, so check the label.
Why choose a no-corn mix?
- Fewer pests: cracked corn attracts pigeons, grackles, starlings, rats and squirrels.
- Less mold: corn spoils fast when wet and can grow mold harmful to birds.
- More of what songbirds like: sunflower and other seeds make up more of the bag.
What to look for in the bag
Good mixes have a large share of sunflower seed, plus millet, safflower or peanuts. Avoid blends full of red milo and wheat, which many birds toss to the ground. Whatever you buy, the front of the bag should list the seeds in the blend, and the back should show the ingredients in order by weight.
- Black oil sunflower: thin shell and high fat. Chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, finches and cardinals love it.
- Safflower: liked by cardinals; squirrels and grackles often avoid it.
- Peanuts and other nuts: a protein boost for woodpeckers and jays.
- White millet: attracts sparrows, juncos and doves to the ground.
Feeder setup
A platform or tray feeder lets birds pick through the mix. Keep the amount modest so it is eaten within a day or two, and rake up hulls and spilled seed underneath to prevent mold. Clean feeders every couple of weeks and let them dry fully.
More options
If you want even less waste, try a single seed such as black oil sunflower; see Walmart wild bird seed 40 lb for a bulk option, or our other Red Ribbon review.
Bottom Line
A no-corn blend is a good all-around choice for backyard songbirds when sunflower and other quality seeds lead the ingredient list. Store it dry and keep your feeders clean.
