Types of Wild Bird Seed

wild bird seed millet

When a person searches the web looking for wild bird seed, he will find a number of sites offering different types of wild birdseeds. These types of seeds include White millet, Nyjer seed, Safflower seed, and Oil sunflower seed. The seeds are used for various purposes, such as feeding and attracting birds.

Chewy Online Pet Supplies


35% Off at Chewy.com

+ Free Shipping

Save Now

Contents

White millet

If you are looking for a way to attract a variety of birds to your feeders, millet may be the answer. Millet is a small, round seed that attracts a wide variety of bird species.

This grain-like seed is a staple of many wild and backyard bird mixes. It is a favorite of several species, including house sparrows and cowbirds. Other birders have found it to be especially attractive to ground-feeding birds, such as quails and juncos.

Millet is a good source of protein and B vitamins. Some of the species that prefer millet include cardinals, doves, juncos, and quail. The white variety is especially popular with these species.

Many types of millet are used in bird mixes. Some birds enjoy it and others will not. Regardless of your bird’s preferences, it is important to make sure you provide a diverse selection of bird foods.

You can scatter millet seeds on the ground or in a tray feeder. You should never scatter millet more than a bird can eat in a day.

Nyjer seed

Nyjer seed, also known as thistle seed, is a small black seed that is popular with a wide variety of birds. It is high in oil and is considered to be a great source of energy for active birds. Some of the most common backyard bird species that feed on Nyjer are finches, pine siskins, American goldfinches, chickadees, and doves.

If you’re thinking about attracting some small finches, you may want to consider giving them a supply of Nyjer seeds. However, you should remember that this type of seed isn’t recommended for hummingbirds. The bill of a hummingbird is designed for nectar. Also, if you live in a warm climate, nyjer can go bad.

When purchasing nyjer, keep in mind that it is more expensive than other kinds of seeds. You can save money by blending this seed with other types of seeds. This will allow you to offset the cost of the nyjer seed.

Safflower seeds

Safflower seeds are one of the most popular types of birdseed. They provide essential oils to wild birds. Their fat and protein content are beneficial to a wide range of backyard birds. This type of seed is also an attractive food for cardinals.

A small white, conical seed, safflowers are commonly used to attract birds to a feeder. These seeds can be found at pet stores and online birdseed retailers. The hard shell can make it difficult for some birds to eat them.

A good way to attract cardinals to your feeder is to use a combination of sunflower and safflower. You can also use hulled sunflower seeds. Both of these bird seed types are favorites of many finches.

If you are using safflower, you should consider removing other types of seed from your feeder, such as corn. Corn is not a healthy food for any bird, but it can be a calling card for nuisance birds.

Oil sunflower seeds

One of the most popular bird seeds for backyard feeders is the sunflower seed. It’s rich in protein and fat, which helps birds sustain themselves during cold winter months. A variety of wild bird species enjoy sunflower seeds.

While sunflower is an excellent source of nutrition for many backyard birds, some species don’t seem to enjoy it. In fact, some species will avoid it altogether.

If you want to attract a wide variety of wild birds, consider using black oil sunflower seeds. These are small, thin-shelled seeds that are a favorite of cardinals, nuthatches, and finches. The oil content of these seeds attracts most species of birds.

Another option is white proso millet. This seed is highly attractive to native American sparrows, mourning doves, and towhees. Millet is also highly favored by juncos, cowbirds, and Gambel’s quail.

Another popular wild bird seed is nyjer seed. This small black seed comes from Africa. Nyjer is a good source of food for goldfinches, pine siskins, and other small birds.