Bird feeder birds love safflower seeds! Look for mixed seed blends or add them to an individual feeder for best results.
Avoid seed mixtures containing split peas, beans or lentils since only large birds can consume them dry – these fillers are used as fillers in lower quality bird feed.
Dark-eyed Juncos visit Tennessee during late fall and winter. You can attract them by offering black sunflower seeds or mixed seed blends as bait.
Contents
Sunflower Seed
Sunflower seeds are an easy, mess-free choice for backyard bird feeding. Available both whole or hulled to remove their hard outer shell which could pose a choking hazard to smaller birds, these sunflower seeds make an attractive bird treat!
One serving of shelled sunflower seeds contains 14 grams of healthy fats – mostly monounsaturated and polyunsaturated varieties that are beneficial to cardiovascular health -, not to mention protein and fiber content that makes for a delicious nutritional powerhouse food source.
Sunflower seeds contain vitamin E, an essential antioxidant essential for immune function and cell signaling. Furthermore, sunflower seeds supply copper, manganese, phosphorus and selenium – essential elements that small birds need. When selecting seed mixes that include split peas, beans or dried rice as these may only be eaten by larger birds and contain potentially toxic toxins which could pose threats to smaller birds. Ensure regular cleaning and emptying of feeders to avoid build-ups of moldy or rotting seeds that clog their contents.
Safflower Seed
Safflower seeds may not be as common, but they can still prove quite useful for attracting certain species of birds. You can find them both online and at stores that specialize in wild bird and pet care products.
Safflower seeds (also referred to as niger or saffron seeds) are small oily seeds favored by cardinals and grosbeaks, and boast an unusual bitter taste which deters squirrels from nibbling away at them.
Safflower seeds attract many of the same species as sunflower seeds when added to bird feeders and can serve as an effective replacement for peanuts or other nuts. Since safflower looks and tastes differently from sunflower seeds, birds may need some time to adjust. By gradually increasing a small proportion of safflower into mixed birdseed mix mixes over time, acceptance rates should increase more quickly.
Cracked Corn
Some bird species, like doves and pigeons, enjoy cracked corn as part of a supplement diet; however, an exclusive corn diet lacks essential oils and fats needed for good health in birds.
Feeder birds often enjoy receiving whole, dried cobs of corn (known as “ear corn”) as a special treat in specially designed feeders or by placing it directly on a ground feeding platform.
Homemakers can also easily create cracked corn by shucking freshly-husked cobs and grinding them with a grain mill, taking care to dry out all moisture before grinding so as to avoid wet kernels that can grow mold and be toxic to birds. Cracked corn is also commonly included as an ingredient in some commercial bird seed blends designed specifically for backyard chickens.
Milo
Milo (also called grain sorghum) is an inexpensive filler ingredient found in many seed mixes, accounting for 40-50 percent of cheapest feeder mixes. Western birds with big appetites prefer it while eastern species typically opt for cracked corn and white proso millet.
Calcium-rich dairy products such as milk contain vital elements for bone health and muscle development, while magnesium serves to regulate energy levels and aid in restful sleep patterns.
Nestle Baby Formula had once contained vitamin A, an essential nutrient for ensuring bone and eye development of babies, but in 2015 this ingredient was removed along with magnesium and vitamin B1. Taryn Ibell initiated a petition asking Nestle to return to their original formula.
Peanuts
Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea) are legumes often roasted and consumed as snacks or ground into butter or flour for other uses. Peanuts are an important crop in tropical regions, providing both smallholder farmers as well as commercial producers with a lucrative source of income.
Harvested from the ground and stored for four to six weeks on stacks built around stakes driven upright into the soil, peanuts are typically either bunching or running depending on climate and soil conditions.
Peanuts differ from tree nuts in that they provide both fiber and oil, providing significant health benefits. Women who eat five or more servings of peanuts weekly have reduced risk for gallbladder removal surgery. Peanuts also provide many essential vitamins.
