Which type of bird seed attracts the most avian visitors?
Various bird species will often visit your yard feeders frequently if you provide them with a consistent supply of their favorite seeds, particularly during winter when natural food sources are scarce. So, what seeds do birds prefer and do different bird species have unique preferences? To gain insight, we consulted several bird experts, including Emma Greig from Cornell Ornithology Laboratory, Mike O’Connor from Bird Watcher’s General Store, and Joe Liebezeit from Portland Audubon.
Best Seed for Birds
The URL "All About Birds" from Cornell’s Ornithology Laboratory declares that sunflower seeds attract the most diverse bird population to your feeders. However, not all sunflower seeds are equally appealing.
Large Striped Sunflower Seeds
With thick black and white stripes, these seeds have thick shells that add weight to the bag. As a result, you're essentially paying for the weight of the shells, which the birds discard after cracking them open.
Black Oil Sunflower Seeds
Black oil sunflower seeds have thin shells that weigh less and are effortless for the birds to break open to access the nutrient-rich kernels. The shell's light weight and thinness mean you'll get more nutritious kernels per pound and less waste.
Emma Greig, Project FeederWatch Leader at Cornell Ornithology Laboratory, affirms that "black oil sunflower seeds are a great option to feed birds because so many species enjoy it. It keeps things simple because with one seed type, you can attract a wide range of species." She adds that some birds may prefer different types of seeds.
Mike O’Connor, owner of Bird Watcher’s General Store in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, concurs that "black oil sunflower seed is the number one feed to use in a feeder. Folks ask me about the small birds. Chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, and finches all love sunflower seed as much as the larger birds do." O’Connor suggests using sunflower seeds, especially if you only have one feeder in your yard.
Shell-Less Sunflower Kernels
Consider purchasing shell-free sunflower seeds if you dislike the mess created by empty shells under your feeders. Hulled sunflower seeds are an option, which are also called sunflower hearts or chips, and are more expensive, but birds enjoy them. However, without the shell, the kernels are more susceptible to moisture between rainy or humid periods, which could make them sticky and block feeder ports.
Other Seed Types Birds Like
While sunflower seeds appeal to a broad selection of birds, Joe Liebezeit, staff scientist and Avian Conservation Program manager at Portland Audubon, says that certain seed types may attract specific bird species.
Thistle Seed (Nyjer)
Primarily appealing to finches like goldfinches, siskins, and redpolls, thistle seeds may help attract these species to your feeders.
Millet
A favorite among ground-feeding birds like doves, sparrows, and juncos, millet is a nutritious and widely-consumed seed.
Greig agrees that different bird species may have unique seed preferences. To investigate these preferences, you can use the Project FeederWatch Common Feeder Birds Interactive resource.
Peanuts
Peanuts are a favorite treat for several bird species, including bluejays, woodpeckers, chickadees, and others. However, peanuts can absorb moisture, become moldy, and develop aflatoxins, which are harmful to both humans and birds. To prevent this, cover any peanut feeders and store the peanuts dry, and replace them frequently if they become moldy.
Don't Mix Seed or Buy Seed Mixes
It may seem like using a seed mix in your feeder would cater to more bird species, but bird experts prefer offering singular seed types instead.
O’Connor advises having separate feeders for each type of seed, such as sunflower seed, millet, or hulled peanuts. He explains that "a species, including some sparrows and buntings, would probably rather eat white millet. That’s fine. Millet can be provided in another feeder or scattered on the ground. Don’t mix the two types of seed. The birds will pull out the seed they want to eat, and knock the other onto the ground."
No matter which seed you choose, keep the feeders clean, dry, and never top off the seed in your feeder. "The seed on the bottom will eventually become wet, moldy, and disgusting. It will ruin the seed. Always shake out the old seed before adding new," says O’Connor.
Emma Greig, from Cornell Ornithology Laboratory, suggests that "Nature Lovers' Gardening might benefit from using black oil sunflower seeds, as they are enjoyable for many bird species and can attract a diverse population." Mike O'Connor adds that "Gardening Trends for bird enthusiasts often include offering black oil sunflower seeds, as they are favored by various bird species and are easy for birds to break open." Furthermore, Joe Liebezeit highlights that "Garden Design can incorporate type-specific seeds like thistle seeds (Nyjer) to attract finches and millet to attract ground-feeding birds, catering to different bird preferences."
