Sunflower hearts are an appealing option for garden birders. Converted from full sunflower seeds, their husks have been removed mechanically so as to reduce mess in your garden like whole sunflower seeds do.
These seeds can be fed using all standard tubular seed feeders as well as tray and hopper feeders, and are also ideal for ground feeding.
Contents
No husks to crack
Sunflower hearts, or simply the ‘insides’, of sunflower seeds make an easy meal for birds without needing to spend energy cracking open husks – making it perfect for smaller species or those with soft beaks. Sunflower hearts also make an excellent addition to a high energy seed mix for ground feeding birds like Blackbirds and Dunnocks.
Hulled sunflower seeds can also help attract Goldfinches and Tits during breeding season, as chicks can eat them safely.
These seeds have had their husks removed mechanically for easier feeding at feeders, keeping your bird table cleaner while also helping prevent disease spread by decaying husks beneath feeders.
No mess
No mess” and waste-free bird feeders refer to seeds with inedible husks removed, so birds will discard these instead of leaving an unsightly pile behind. Additionally, these smaller and finer seeds are suitable for use in several different feeders.
Feeders designed specifically to hold these seeds such as hopper, tube and tray feeders may be utilized. You may also spread your seed on the ground. Juncos, sparrows and towhees often feed off these foods alone while others like millet may add flavor.
Peanuts, tree nuts or cracked corn added to sunflower seed will attract additional species while increasing shelf life – providing you store it in an airtight container to prevent it going stale too quickly! This combination offers the best value in attracting various bird species throughout the year.
High oil content
Sunflower hearts are perennially popular with wild birds, providing essential oil and protein sources that keep feathers, skin and beaks healthy and strong. Offering variety is key in providing enough essential nutrition for optimal feather condition and beak health.
Birders typically stock their feeders with a mixture of striped and black oil sunflower seeds, quality peanuts, nyjer seed (recommended for fine-billed species like Goldfinches) and high energy foods like rapeseed millet or oats to provide energy boost. Feeders such as hanging, tube or tray feeders as well as ground feeding stations should all contain exclusion feeders to stop larger birds such as blackbirds, European starlings or grackles from taking away food before smaller birds have chance to devour it themselves.
Sunflower hearts offer many advantages over other seeds because they don’t require birds to expend energy opening the husks for consumption. This may be especially beneficial to younger birds or softbills who may struggle with breaking open other types of seeds’ husks.
Attracts a variety of birds
Sunflower hearts began their lives as full sunflower seeds, but have had their husks removed mechanically to become one of the easiest no-mess bird foods on the market. Chickadees, nuthatches and titmice can easily devour these nutritious treats while providing their energy boost!
These seeds make an excellent feed for juncos and other ground-feeding species, including mourning doves, white-throated sparrows, eastern towhees, and quail. Mourning doves, white-throated sparrows, eastern towhees, and quail all enjoy munching away at sunflower hearts!
If you want to attract even more birds, try including black oil sunflower seeds with your sunflower heart blend. Cardinals, juncos and blue jays all love these more expensive seeds; although more costly, their increased variety of birds should make up for any additional costs associated with purchasing them.
