Providing birdseed in outdoor feeders allows bird enthusiasts to easily observe and attract various bird species to their yard or garden. With so many types of birdseed available, it can be challenging to determine which option is best for your particular needs and the birds you hope to attract. This comprehensive guide explores the 8 most popular types of birdseed for outdoor feeders and provides tips on how to select the best seed mix for your unique situation.
What to Consider When Choosing Birdseed
Several key factors should be taken into account when selecting birdseed for your outdoor feeders:
- Types of birds – Consider which bird species are native to your area or those you specifically want to attract. Different birds have preferences for different seeds.
- Season – Bird feeding habits and preferences change with the seasons. Provide birdseed that meets seasonal nutritional needs.
- Feeder type – Select seed compatible with your feeder types. Consider seed size, shape, and whether blends or singles are ideal.
- Seed quality – Seek fresh seeds free of debris, hulls, dirt, and bugs. Avoid stale or moldy seeds.
- Nutritional value – Higher oil content seeds offer more energy. Select nutritious seeds birds favour.
- Price – Balance nutritional value with affordability. Buying in bulk can sometimes reduce costs.
- Storage – Properly store seeds in cool, dry place to maintain freshness. Use airtight containers.
Keeping these factors in mind will allow you to provide quality birdseed suiting the species you wish to attract and the feeders you utilize. Monitor feeding activity to assess if adjustments to seed selections may be beneficial.
1. Black Oil Sunflower Seeds
Black oil sunflower seeds are the universal birdseed for feeding most backyard birds. Their thin shells and high fat content make them a favourite of many common feeder birds.
What Birds They Attract: Chickadees, nuthatches, cardinals, finches, sparrows, mourning doves, blue jays, woodpeckers, grosbeaks, titmice, juncos.
Nutritional Value: Black oil sunflower seeds are high in fat and protein. Their thin hulls make them easy for small birds to crack open.
Feeders: Use with hopper, tube, window, platform feeders. Avoid fine mesh nyjer feeders.
Tips: Offer sunflower seeds year-round. They attract the greatest variety of birds. Look for seeds with minimal debris and shells. Store in cool, dry area to maintain freshness.
2. Nyjer Seed
Nyjer seed, also called thistle seed, are tiny, black seeds popular with finches and siskins. They have a high oil content to fuel small, active birds.
What Birds They Attract: Goldfinches, pine siskins, redpolls.
Nutritional Value: Nyjer seeds are roughly 35-45% fat and 15-20% protein. Their small size packs nutrition into an easily digestible seed.
Feeders: Best served in specialized nyjer seed feeders with small ports. Poor performance in open feeders.
Tips: Only fresh nyjer seed should be used as it becomes rancid quickly. Properly stored in air-tight containers, nyjer will last 3-6 months. Keep feeders full as birds empty them quickly.
3. Safflower Seeds
Safflower is a white seed growing in popularity for its ability to attract cardinals while deterring less-desired birds like starlings or grackles. The hulls are tough for small birds.
What Birds They Attract: Cardinals, chickadees, finches, grosbeaks, mourning doves, nuthatches, titmice.
Nutritional Value: Similar to sunflower seeds, safflower seeds offer high fat, protein and calories. Safflower has more fat than sunflower seeds.
Feeders: Works in most tube feeders. Can also use hoppers or platform feeders.
Tips: Look for white safflower seeds, as striped seeds have more hull waste. Offer in feeders alternative to sunflower seeds to discourage less-desired birds. As hulls are tough, offer crushed or hulled safflower for small birds.
4. Peanuts
Whole peanuts in the shell are loved by larger bird species like woodpeckers, jays, crows, magpies, and others. Don’t use unshelled nuts for small birds.
What Birds They Attract: Woodpeckers, blue jays, crows, magpies, nuthatches, mockingbirds, chickadees.
Nutritional Value: Peanuts have high fat content. Large birds can break the tough shell and digest the large kernels.
Feeders: Use metal mesh tube or hopper feeders. Open platform feeders also work but make a mess from shells.
Tips: Offer shelled or roasted peanuts for small birds. Discard moldy nuts. Store peanuts in their shells in a cool, dry place to maintain freshness. Monitor feeders for rotting shells.
5. Mixed Seed Blends
Mixed birdseeds offer a combination of seeds appealing to a wide range of species. They provide variety and nutrition in one.
What Birds They Attract: Finches, cardinals, sparrows, blackbirds, chickadees, doves, jays, nuthatches, woodpeckers, juncos.
Nutritional Value: Based on seed components, which typically include sunflower, millet, milo, cracked corn, oats, wheat.
Feeders: Use mixed blends in most tube feeders, hoppers, platform feeders or scatter on ground.
Tips: Pick mixes with minimal filler seeds birds won’t eat. Seek a balance of fine seeds and oils. Consider regional or seasonal specialty mixes. Store properly to maintain freshness.
6. Niger Seed
Niger seed, also called niger thistle, is small and black like nyjer but differs in structure. It has a thin shell and high fat and protein content.
What Birds They Attract: Goldfinches, purple finches, house finches, pine siskins, doves.
Nutritional Value: Niger seed contains 42-44% fat and 12-18% protein. The small seed provides efficient energy.
Feeders: Works well in finch feeders. Allow small seed to pass through mesh. Avoid open feeders.
Tips: Niger has a shorter shelf life than nyjer and can become rancid. Use fresh batches within 3-6 months. Store airtight in a refrigerator or freezer. Offer both nyjer and niger to target finches.
7. Millet
Millet is a tiny, round white or yellow seed that is a favorite of ground feeding birds. It has a mild flavour and is easy to digest.
What Birds it Attracts: Juncos, sparrows, towhees, bobolinks, blackbirds, grackles, cowbirds, doves.
Nutritional Value: Millet is starchy and low in fat. It provides quick energy but less nutritional value than oil seeds.
Feeders: Spread millet on platform feeders or directly on the ground. Avoid tube feeders as seed casings can clog them.
Tips: Mix with cracked corn or wheat for variety. Keep dry to prevent mold. Remove old seeds daily and offer fresh in small batches. Avoid milo filler which birds dislike.
8. Suet Cakes or Nuggets
Suet is fat processed into cakes or nuggets. It provides birds energy and nutrition during cold months when insects are scarce.
What Birds it Attracts: Woodpeckers, nuthatches, mockingbirds, wrens, thrushes, starlings, chickadees.
Nutritional Value: Suet is pure animal fat, which offers high energy density. Most suet has seeds, nuts or dried fruit added for variety.
Feeders: Use suet cages or mesh bags designed to hold suet cakes or nuggets. Avoid plastic suet feeders.
Tips: Look for suet made primarily from beef kidney fat. Offer in winter when birds need extra calories. Store unused suet in freezer to prevent spoilage.
How to Choose the Best Birdseed for Your Feeders
With many types of birdseed available, it can be difficult to narrow down seed selections for your feeders. Follow these tips:
- Identify your target bird species – Choose seeds favored by the particular birds you wish to attract. This may require some research on species preferences. Sunflower and nyjer seeds reach the widest range.
- Select 2-3 primary seeds – Pick 1-2 main seeds like black oil sunflower as the foundation. Add a specialty like nyjer or safflower. Resist overloading on too many seeds.
- Complement with mixed blends – Augment the primary seeds with combinations to add diversity. Opt for mixes with minimal filler seeds.
- Consider shells – For small birds, choose hulled options or seeds with thin shells like nyjer or niger. Avoid thick-shelled seeds they cannot open.
- Buy quality seeds – Seek out fresh seeds without excessive debris or shells. Avoid old seeds. Store properly to maintain freshness.
- Offer multiple feeders – Cater different feeders to seed sizes and types. Use tube feeders for sunflower and nyjer, open tray for millet or peanuts.
- Adapt for seasons – Switch to higher fat seeds in winter when energy needs are greater. Add fruit mixes and suet for seasonal nutrition.
- Monitor activity – Assess the birdseed’s appeal and make changes if certain seeds are ignored. Allow time for new species to discover feeders.
Following these guidelines will lead to an optimal selection of the best birdseeds for the feeder setup and bird species you wish to host. Be willing to experiment and tweak seeds based on observed activity. Offering quality birdseed will lead to a thriving bird community visiting your yard.
Frequently Asked Questions About Birdseed for Outdoor Feeders
What is the best all-around birdseed to use?
Black oil sunflower seed attracts the greatest variety of common feeder birds. Its thin shell and high fat content make it a go-to seed for all-purpose use. It works well in most typical feeder types.
What birdseed is best for winter months?
Seeds higher in fat content provide birds the best nutrition during cold winter temperatures. Focus on sunflower seeds, suet, peanuts, and nyjer seed in the winter. Avoid millet and corn as they lack fat.
How often should I clean my bird feeders?
Feeders should be cleaned every 2-4 weeks typically. Clean more frequently in wet weather or if feeders become dirty or moldy seeds develop. Disinfect feeders periodically with a 10% bleach solution. Rinse thoroughly before refilling.
Where is the best place to position bird feeders?
Situate feeders between 5-10 feet from bushes, trees or other cover. Allow a clear flight path so birds can come and go safely without collisions. Place feeders where they can be easily filled and monitored for activity.
What seed in shell should be avoided in tube feeders?
Avoid large seeds with thick shells like peanuts, corn kernels and large sunflower seeds. The shells can jam up the feeder and rot. Use shelled or chopped nuts instead. Offer big seeds in open platform feeders.
Are store-bought birdseed mixes better than homemade mixes?
Commercial mixes are typically better. They are blended by seed experts to match bird preferences and contain fresher, high quality ingredients. Homemade mixes tend to include fillers birds won’t eat. Check bag contents and avoid mixes with lots of milo and wheat fillers.
Conclusion
Providing quality birdseed tailored to the species you hope to attract is key to bringing activity and abundance to your outdoor feeders. Consider the seed preferences of desired birds along with nutritional value, seasonality, feeder compatibility and your budget when choosing. Observe activity patterns and finesse feeder offerings to find that perfect balance. A variety of seeds will lure in a diversity of birds for your viewing enjoyment. With an optimal birdseed selection, your yard is sure to become a haven bustling with our feathered friends.