When I was a kid and we wanted to fill our
bird feeder we reached for one thing: birdseed. It came in a big bag from the
store and we used a scoop to dump it onto our feeder. What kind of seeds were
in birdseed? We had no idea. Did some birds like some seeds more than others?
The thought never crossed our minds. It was birdseed, and it was what the birds
ate.
But it turns out that it pays to understand
your birdseed. Different birds prefer different seeds, and so knowing exactly
what you’re putting into your feeders can help you attract the birds you want.
And maybe just as importantly, some companies fill out bird seed mixes with
certain seeds birds don’t like, and
count on consumers not knowing the difference.
A little knowledge can help both you and the
birds in your backyard. Let’s get educated about the different seeds out there.
Black
Oil Sunflower
Black Oil Sunflower seeds have the broadest
appeal for backyard birds. The combination of a large, nutritious seed with a
thin, easy-to-crack shell means that they’re popular with everything from
larger birds like Blue Jays and Mourning Doves to smaller species like Pine
Siskins and nuthatches.
Tips: Birds prefer the all black Black Oil seeds to the similar-looking
Striped Sunflower seeds, whose thicker shells make them better for people to
snack on but are too tough for some birds. Also, sunflower seeds are sold both
as regular seeds and with the outer shells already removed, known as “shelled”
or “Sunflower Hearts.” Birds love both, but losing the shells means there’s
less mess under your feeders.
Safflower
Seeds
These white seeds are enjoyed by many of the
same birds as those that eat Black Oil Sunflower, but Safflower seeds are
perhaps more interesting for what doesn’t
eat them. Their bitter taste makes them unappealing to squirrels, grackles,
starlings, and other species that can sometimes take over feeders.
Tips: Safflower seeds are not as common on grocery store shelves as Black
Oil and some other seeds, and so shoppers may need to find a dedicated wild
bird store or similar outlet. These seeds may need to be introduced gradually
if using for the first time to help birds get accustomed.
Millet
Also known as White Proso Millet, this grass
seed is a common component of many seed mixes. These small, round seeds may be
white or red, and appeal to a number of smaller birds, like sparrows and
finches.
Tips: All birdseed can get moldy when wet, and millet is particularly quick
to ruin in the rain. It can be tempting to load backyard bird feeders up with
seed, but it’s better to fill only a little bit at a time to avoid exposure to
moisture.
Nyjer
This thin, black seed is the food of choice
for small-billed finches like goldfinches, redpolls, and Pine Siskin. Though
often referred to as “thistle,” and appearing similar to the seeds of those
spiky plants, nyjer seeds actually come from African yellow daisies.
Tips: Nyjer seed is so lightweight that it will simply blow away if placed
in a feeder with bigger, heavier seeds. This seed is best delivered in special
feeders with smaller openings, or dumped into nylon “socks” with holes just the
right size for prying finch beaks.
Milo
Milo, also known as Red Milo or sorghum, is a
seed to be careful of. It looks for all the world like something that birds
would love, but most of them don’t. Unless you’re especially trying to attract
turkeys, quail, Mourning Doves, ducks, geese, and other large birds, you won’t
want to put Milo in your backyard feeders.
Tips: Though few birds eat it, inexpensive Milo seed is often used as filler
in bargain birdseed mixes. This Washington Post expose found that Milo made up
to 75% of some mixes. Read the ingredients on the back of the package and buy
something else if Milo is listed. Your money will be wasted on food that birds
don’t eat, and the seed may rot when it's left in the feeder by uninterested
birds.
There are lots of other great things to feed your
backyard birds – suet, cracked corn, peanuts, fruit, native berries – but
birdseed is still the most popular item on the menu. I hope now you have little
more info to help you give your birds the feast they deserve.