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Bird Feeding 101: Using the Right Bird Seed and More

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bird feeding 101

Let’s talk about birds; I love them and I’m passionate about feeding them. For years, I’ve put out bird feeders and have done my best to keep them filled, especially in the winter months. In the past, I’ve always purchased a premium bird seed, but I started to wonder if the mix I was purchasing was really the best for the birds that visit my feeders. I started to notice that I end up with quite a bit of seed on the ground each year. So, I asked myself, “Am I really using the best bird seed?” After some research, I found that the number one seed that many of birds like is black-oil sunflower seeds because the shell is very thin and easy to open. The birds that come to my feeders most often are sparrows, and they have a tendency to toss out a good amount of bird seed when they feed as they search for their favorite seeds. From what I’ve read, millet seed is a favorite of sparrows, so that may be why I have so many of them at my feeders. When looking at the types of seed in the mix I use, millet is number one on the list. However, I also read that most outdoor birds don’t eat millet seed (there seems to be some disagreement in the bird seed world). I also get an occasional junco and wrens, and I have a pair of cardinals that visit quite often. Cardinals like safflower seeds and there are safflower seeds in the mix I buy, too. Also, depending on the time of year, I will see a few downy woodpeckers and even some mourning doves. There is a good deal of striped sunflower seeds in the mix as well. The shell on these seeds is very difficult to crack, so it is favored by squirrels and other mammals. Cracked corn and “rejected” peanuts are in the bird seed mix, too, and all these seeds are eaten more by various mammals than birds. I have seen raccoons, opossums, and skunks feeding underneath my bird feeders during the spring, summer, and fall. The raccoons and opossums don’t bother me too much, but the skunks are not my favorite. This is especially true if your dog has a run-in with a skunk, but that’s a story for another time. Many bird feeders are supposedly squirrel-proof, but I have seen squirrels defeat some of the best squirrel-proof feeders. After my research, I think that I am going to start using mainly black-oil sunflower seeds, mix in a little safflower seeds, and maybe even sprinkle in some “rejected” peanuts. I’ll be staying away from the millet seed - maybe less of it will end up on the ground. Which bird feeders or types of bird seed have you tried in your yard? Let us know in the comments below!