To attract wild birds into your yard, provide the kind of seeds they prefer. Cheap commercial bird seed mixes that contain large percentages of filler seeds such as milo and wheat can easily become waste, potentially ending up as weed seeds in your grass!
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Sunflower
Sunflower seeds are packed with fat and protein, including significant quantities of the essential fatty acid linoleic acid. Furthermore, sunflower seeds provide a good source of vitamin E.
Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are an iconic garden and farmland feature, both at home and away from it. From traditional giant varieties such as Mammoth to more compact types like the dwarf “Alectoris”, many varieties reach heights of 12 feet or more; yet others remain beautiful nevertheless.
Many farmers combine sunflowers with other crops such as safflower or millet to produce birdseed for sale on the birdseed market, making it an attractive solution for small-acreage growers looking to produce their own mix.
Fields of sunflowers are a favorite choice for bird feeders, drawing in cardinals, chickadees, finches, nuthatches and woodpeckers among many other songbird species. Sunflowers are easy to cultivate and their seeds easily consumed by songbirds. Furthermore, sunflower gardens tend to resist deer damage.
Millet
Millet is an ancient grain packed with protein, fiber, micronutrients and antioxidants; an excellent source of iron and calcium too! Quick to prepare and add texture to salads and grain bowls alike – especially great for those living gluten-free lifestyles! It makes an ideal replacement for less nutrient dense flours for those seeking healthier diets!
Millet is an abundant source of high-protein and low-fat whole grains packed with soluble fiber and magnesium – two nutrients known to lower cholesterol levels while supporting healthy blood pressure levels.
When purchasing birdseed mixes, seek one without milo, oats, wheat, rape seed or flax seeds, which are considered filler foods that many birds won’t eat. Also look for no-mess blends without shelled peanuts that could sprout under the feeder; rather opt for ones containing nuts and seeds with their shells removed – these varieties of blends are especially favored by Juncos and towhees.
Rapeseed
Rapeseed is a vibrant-yellow plant from the Brassicaceae family that farmers cultivate for its oil and seeds. With a high smoke point that allows it to withstand high heat during cooking processes such as frying, sauteing or pan-searing without altering its taste, rapeseed is often utilized by chefs who specialize in high heat techniques for its neutral flavor profile.
Food grade (Brassica napus) rapeseed oil is not generally considered healthful for consumption in culinary settings, due to its high omega-6 to omega-3 ratio that promotes inflammation; additionally, too much refined cooking oils has been linked with central obesity and metabolic syndrome.
Scientists developed a cultivar of rapeseed in 1976 which contained less erucic acid and glucosinolates; thus creating canola oil which has since become one of the most popular cooking oils in America and known by Canadians as Canada oil due to Canada being its main producer. Canola boasts beneficial heart-healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.
Canary Seed
Phalaris canariensis, Saskatchewan’s signature crop, is one of its premier exports. Primarily used as an ingredient in caged and wild bird feed mixes, its yield averages from 800-1400 pounds per acre with itchy varieties (with sharp spikes attached to their hull) being most prevalent across its acres in production.
Canary seed contains glutamic acid, an essential building block of memory formation and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. Furthermore, canary seeds are rich in proteins and fiber. Their high lipid-reducing action also works well to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in bloodstream.
Oatmeal boasts comparable nutritional qualities to wheat, barley and amaranth/quinoa; its fatty acid composition resembles amaranth or quinoa as well. Due to its low glycemic index and presence of antioxidants such as lutein/zeaxanthin as well as 0.47 mg/g beta-sitosterol which helps lower cholesterol/triglycerides levels.
