Wild bird seed and feeders are an excellent way to attract a variety of bird species. However, you need to know what kinds of seeds birds prefer so you can provide the appropriate types at your feeders.
Sunflower, safflower and nyjer seed are some of the most popular wild bird seeds available. Use these or create your own custom blend to attract exactly the types of birds you want in your backyard.
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Feeder Types
Different feeder types exist, each designed to dispense one type of food or another. Platform, hopper, tube, niger and suet feeders for ground-feeding birds as well as raised platforms and tree trunks for shrub-feeding species are some examples.
Hopper and tube feeders are commonly used to disperse seed. They come in a range of sizes and materials, such as plastic, wood, metal and glass.
When offering bird seed, the type of grain you offer is essential in attracting the right species. Birds prefer black-oil sunflower seeds, white millet and peanuts; they do not prefer commercially mixed mixes that often contain more filler than desirable food items.
Many backyard birders supplement commercially mixed seed by adding more plain sunflower seeds or peanuts, or making a homemade custom mix that includes the seeds and other foods birds prefer. A mixed diet also helps prevent overcrowding at your feeders.
Seed Types
When selecting wild bird seed and feeders, there are various varieties available that can attract different types of birds. Each has its own advantages and drawbacks, so you should select a type that attracts the species you wish to attract.
Sunflower seeds are a favorite among backyard birders, providing plenty of healthy fats and protein. They come in different varieties such as black-oil sunflower seed and striped sunflower seed (harder to open than black-oil but easier for larger birds like cardinals), depending on their hardness.
Safflower seeds are another popular option for birders, though not as widespread as sunflower. Its white seeds attract doves, titmice and cardinals; other songbirds will eat it too if provided at a feeder.
Safflower seeds are typically blended with sunflower chips or millet in premium mixes to attract a wider range of bird species. Conversely, cheaper blends often contain too many filler seeds which birds ignore or discard, resulting in wasted money and food resources.
Suet
Suet is a popular winter treat for wild birds, offering them essential sources of fat and protein. It comes in various varieties with add-ins like insects, nuts, and seeds designed to attract different species.
Plain suet cakes or chunks can usually be found at a wild bird supply store, garden center, or pet store. They can be melted down to create more complex recipes or used as-is for added flavor and convenience.
It’s essential to check suet regularly for brown or black mold, which could indicate that it has gone rancid. Rancid suet has an unpleasant odor and must be smelled immediately upon contact.
When providing suet to your horses, be sure to clean the feeder at least every other week and more often if temperatures are high outside. Also, avoid offering too much at once as that will lead to rancidity.
Suet is less attractive to pests than bird seed, so it should be placed higher up where raccoons and mice cannot reach and away from areas where squirrels or other rodents have easy access. Large suet feeders should be secured with baffles or other protective measures in order to keep rodents out.
Nuts
Wild birds adore nuts – peanuts, pecans, almonds and other nuts are an important source of energy for birds. Nuts also make an ideal food source for squirrels and chipmunks.
Feeders that provide a combination of seeds and nuts are more attractive to birds than single-type feeders. These nut and seed mixtures are commonly referred to as nut medleys.
Nut medley bird seed provides essential nutrients and energy for various species. It may contain sunflower seeds, pecans, hazelnuts, and other nuts in varying proportions.
Nyjer Seed (Thistle) – Birds that enjoy nyjer seed include American goldfinches, lesser goldfinches, indigo buntings, pine siskins and common redpolls.
Corn – Cardinals, grosbeaks, crows, ravens, jays and doves enjoy feeding on shelled or cracked corn. Be sure to avoid corn that gets wet as this may contain hazardous aflatoxins.
Nut-eating birds can be attracted to your backyard by providing nuts that they can easily crack open. Peanuts are an ideal option, but you could also feed Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds, pistachios and cashews in their shells.
