Outdoor bird feeder seed is a nutritional supplement for the general bird population, though some varieties benefit specific bird species. Numerous seeds can boost birds' energy during migration and throughout the year. Milo and millet are commonly found in inexpensive birdseed mixes and smaller amounts of cracked corn, sunflower seeds, and other seeds or grains. These mixes can be less expensive and more straightforward, but birds may observe a substantial amount of waste as birds seek out their preferred seeds. Wheat is a common filler ingredient but provides little nutrition for birds.
There are a few types given below.
Black Sunflower Seed
Black oil sunflower seeds are the most sought-after seed among various bird species. Black oil sunflower seeds, a key component of many birdseed mixes, are also available without other seeds. Additionally, these seeds are frequently formed into seed blocks and cakes with whimsical holiday shapes such as hearts, bells, or wreaths.
Black oil sunflower seeds' thin shells and high oil content attract most bird species, including cardinals, chickadees, sparrows, finches, titmice, woodpeckers, grosbeaks, and jays. As a smaller variety of sunflower seeds, black oil seeds are also more cost-effective because a single bag contains more seeds than a bag of striped sunflower seeds of comparable size. During the summer, birds can also cultivate and harvest black oil sunflower seeds by stripping the seeds from the flower heads of mature plants.
Striped Sunflower Seed
Like black oil seeds, striped sunflower seed is an excellent high-fat, high-oil seed many birds enjoy. However, the hulls of striped sunflowers are thicker and more rigid than black oil sunflower seeds, making feeding more difficult for smaller birds or those with weaker bills.
Striped sunflower seed is consumed by all birds that consume other types of sunflower seed, but
larger species, such as cardinals, jays, and grackles, favor it the most. If both types of sunflower seed are present in the same mixture, the striped grain will likely be consumed last, as birds seek out more effortless, more accessible foods first.
Safflower Seed
Medium and large songbirds favor the annual flower seed safflower. Safflower is grown commercially worldwide, with the highest yields in Asia, Africa, and India.
Although it resembles a white sunflower seed, safflower is an entirely different plant. Doves, titmice, and cardinals favor the white seeds, but other songbirds will feed on safflower seeds if sunflower seeds are unavailable. Safflower is typically more expensive than other seeds. Still, it can be combined with sunflower chips or millet to make premium mixes more affordable and appealing to a wider variety of bird species. Because this seed has a somewhat bitter flavor, squirrels and other wildlife typically ignore it, making it a good choice if bird feeder pests are a problem.
Hulled Sunflower Seed
Sunflower seed, also known as chips or hearts, is favored by numerous songbirds. Because the hulls have already been removed from these seeds, there is no waste around the feeder.
sunflower seeds
The high oil content and caloric density of hulled sunflower seeds make them a year-round favorite for bird feeders. Hulled seeds are more expensive than regular sunflower seeds but purchasing them by weight may be more cost-effective because there is no waste. These seeds will not germinate if they fall to the ground, making them ideal for garden areas where additional growth is undesirable. All songbirds enjoy hulled sunflower seeds, including finches, sparrows, cardinals, titmice, and chickadees.
Nyjer
Nyjer seed, known as nyger or thistle seed, is small, dark, elongated, and incredibly lightweight.
Numerous small birds, including siskins, goldfinches, redpolls, and juncos, adore this oil-rich, high-fat, high-protein seed originating in Africa. Quail and larger finches frequently feed on the ground beneath Nyjer feeders, effectively cleaning up the seed that has fallen to the ground.
Although Nyjer is more expensive than larger seeds, it has excellent economic value due to its low waste. Because this seed is so light, it should only be offered in feeders with small openings to prevent it from being easily spilled or blown out of larger feeders.
Millet
Millet, also known as white millet, is a grass seed favored by small birds. This seed is smaller than a single grain of rice. It is available in white (illustrated) and red varieties, which are appropriate for feeding backyard birds.
The high starch, protein, fiber, and fat content of millet make it an excellent food source for small birds. It is favored by finches, juncos, buntings, sparrows, and towhees, but many other species of birds will consume millet, particularly when it is mixed with different types of seed.
Cracked Corn
Individually and in seed blends, cracked corn is available in a variety of grinding sizes. It is a very inexpensive grain type readily available at wild bird stores, agricultural feed stores, and numerous garden centers.
Large ground-feeding birds like starlings, quail, grackles, pheasants, wild turkeys, and ducks favor cracked corn. Cracked corn is a cheap oil and starch source that can lure larger birds away from more expensive seeds. Birds are most attracted to coarsely ground corn, but finely ground corn can be mixed with other grains if desired. Cracked corn may be added to commercial mixes as a filler to add weight and bulk and reduce the overall price.
Red Sorghum Seed
Red Sorghum seed is a filler seed with poor nutritional value for birds but provides them with iron, fiber, and calcium. Red sorghum is also known as red milo. Game birds consume sorghum, such as turkeys, pheasants, doves, quail, ducks, geese, grackles, jays, and other large birds. The species of birds that eat sorghum may vary depending on the availability of excellent food sources in individual backyards.
This grain is available in red and white varieties (illustration shown). Because it is large and bulky,
it is less expensive than most other birdseed varieties. Milo is frequently used as a filler in inexpensive commercial seed mixtures, diminishing their value because so much of the seed is wasted.
Conclusion
Add more plain sunflower seeds, peanuts, or other foods of commercially mixed origin to attract more birds to a backyard. It is also possible to purchase quantities of plain seeds and create a homemade blend tailored to the particular birds that frequent your feeders. In addition, consider mixing fruits or dried fruits with some seeds in open trays for berry-eating birds that do not eat grains, such as robins and bluebirds.
The mixed seed may be offered in various feeders, including hoppers, tubes, mesh feeders, open trays or platforms, or sprinkled on the ground for easy feeding. Frequent raking of old seeds will prevent birds from accidentally consuming rotten or moldy seeds.
