Wild Bird Seed for Backyard Use

Wild bird seed for our backyard use will entice more birds to our feeders. This bird seed can consist of a number of assorted seeds that will attract some unusual wild birds that come to our backyard. Many homeowners are enjoying bird watching today than ever before. We can use a few wild bird feeders and place different seeds in each one to invite more varieties of birds.

The seeds used depends on the type of birds we would like to see. Once we know what birds like which seeds we can determine how we want to use our birdfeeders. The following is a list of some of the seeds and which birds enjoy them for your convenience.

Black-oil sunflower seeds are considered as the number one best seller. Black-oil sunflower seeds are high in protein due to the amount of meat it contains. The outer shell is very soft for the smaller bird to handle. Our winged friends that enjoy this sunflower seed are the chickadees, finches, goldfinches, and nuthatches. The high oil content of this seed will keep the birds dry and warm in the cold winter months.

Striped sunflower seeds are not as popular as the black-oil seeds and are cheaper to purchase. The smaller birds usually find it harder to crack the harder shells of these seeds. The wild birds known to like this tougher seed are the blue jay, cardinal, and woodpecker.

Cracked corn seed is usually used to attract the larger bird species. Those that enjoy it are the eastern bluebirds, jays, pheasants, and some game birds. Using cracked corn all year in one of your bird feeders will probably attract some birds that do not use some of the other feeders. Living in Southern California as I do, the smaller birds will eat everything except the cracked corn.

Millet is a large part of wild bird seed mixes because it is tiny and round. This feed is used is tubular feeders, hopper feeders, and tray feeders. Some of the backyard birds that enjoy millet are quail, juncos, sparrows, doves, buntings, bobwhites, and cardinals.

Thistle seed is a tiny black seed that is imported from Ethiopia and India and is also known as Nyjer seed. These seeds are so small it is better if you use them in a feeder that has wire mesh surrounding it. Some of the species that enjoy Nyjer seed include the house finch, purple finch, and goldfinch.

Safflower seeds are large seeds that have a white coating around it. They are often used instead of black-oil sunflower seeds because they will not attract the grackles, house sparrows, or starlings. The safflower seed attracts all the sames birds as the black-oil sunflower and will also attract the jay, titmouse, grosbeak, and cardinal.

Nuts that are used as bird seed are generally peanuts and peanut hearts. These nuts can be sold separately and are also found in some of the wild bird seed mixes. Some of the feathered friends that enjoy the nuts are cardinals, goldfinches, chickadees, nuthatches, mockingbirds, titmice, and woodpeckers.

Wild bird seed mixes usually consist of black-oil sunflower seeds, millet, striped sunflower seeds, and one or two other types of seed and they will attract most species of bird. They are available in most grocery stores, wild bird centers, and the wild bird suppliers at many pet centers.


- Barbara E. Volkov

Wild Bird Seed for Backyard Use

Wild bird seed for our backyard use will entice more birds to our feeders. This bird seed can consist of a number of assorted seeds that will attract some unusual wild birds that come to our backyard. Many homeowners are enjoying bird watching today than ever before. We can use a few wild bird feeders and place different seeds in each one to invite more varieties of birds.

The seeds used depends on the type of birds we would like to see. Once we know what birds like which seeds we can determine how we want to use our birdfeeders. The following is a list of some of the seeds and which birds enjoy them for your convenience.

Black-oil sunflower seeds are considered as the number one best seller. Black-oil sunflower seeds are high in protein due to the amount of meat it contains. The outer shell is very soft for the smaller bird to handle. Our winged friends that enjoy this sunflower seed are the chickadees, finches, goldfinches, and nuthatches. The high oil content of this seed will keep the birds dry and warm in the cold winter months.

Striped sunflower seeds are not as popular as the black-oil seeds and are cheaper to purchase. The smaller birds usually find it harder to crack the harder shells of these seeds. The wild birds known to like this tougher seed are the blue jay, cardinal, and woodpecker.

Cracked corn seed is usually used to attract the larger bird species. Those that enjoy it are the eastern bluebirds, jays, pheasants, and some game birds. Using cracked corn all year in one of your bird feeders will probably attract some birds that do not use some of the other feeders. Living in Southern California as I do, the smaller birds will eat everything except the cracked corn.

Millet is a large part of wild bird seed mixes because it is tiny and round. This feed is used is tubular feeders, hopper feeders, and tray feeders. Some of the backyard birds that enjoy millet are quail, juncos, sparrows, doves, buntings, bobwhites, and cardinals.

Thistle seed is a tiny black seed that is imported from Ethiopia and India and is also known as Nyjer seed. These seeds are so small it is better if you use them in a feeder that has wire mesh surrounding it. Some of the species that enjoy Nyjer seed include the house finch, purple finch, and goldfinch.

Safflower seeds are large seeds that have a white coating around it. They are often used instead of black-oil sunflower seeds because they will not attract the grackles, house sparrows, or starlings. The safflower seed attracts all the sames birds as the black-oil sunflower and will also attract the jay, titmouse, grosbeak, and cardinal.

Nuts that are used as bird seed are generally peanuts and peanut hearts. These nuts can be sold separately and are also found in some of the wild bird seed mixes. Some of the feathered friends that enjoy the nuts are cardinals, goldfinches, chickadees, nuthatches, mockingbirds, titmice, and woodpeckers.

Wild bird seed mixes usually consist of black-oil sunflower seeds, millet, striped sunflower seeds, and one or two other types of seed and they will attract most species of bird. They are available in most grocery stores, wild bird centers, and the wild bird suppliers at many pet centers.


- Barbara E. Volkov

What birdseed should I put out to attract birds?

We have a lot of robins and I’ve seen chickadees, mourning doves, and blackbirds on my porch. What sort of seed and feeder should I set out for these and other birds?
- *_*

I have a backyard bird only in spring that sounds like a dogs squeaky toy. I live in the oaks and maples?

It sings all day long like this. Early in the morning before the chickadees start til just before dark.
- Debbie

What will attract more birds?

I am trying to attract different kinds of birds to my backyard- I seem to only get the usual sparrows, robins, chickadees and juncos. I want to attract some of the colorful finches we have in my area (pacific northwest usa). Is there anything I can hang in my tree (other than birdseed!) to attract a wider variety of birds? Right now we have two bird feeders and a bird bath. What else could we do?
I’m serious and I mean real birds. Give me a break.
- Amy

I’m sorry. Let me clarify on the question of what backyard birds eat during the winter?

Of course some birds fly south. But chickadees for instance, don’t. And I know they sort of hibernate for a couple of weeks at a time if necessary. My question is this – what do they eat when they do eat? There are no seeds or berries or insects. There are no birdfeeders. Everything is covered with snow and frozen. Do they “eat” snow for water? I’m very curious as to what they actually eat when they do eat. Sometimes winter lasts five to six months with no growth or warmth.
- Monique H

Winter Birds – Great Backyard Bird Count Video – Dover, NH

Black-Capped Chickadees, Red-Breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse in January 27th, 2009 backyard video.
- mediaman57

How to Maintain Bird Feeders

Bird feeders benefit from regular maintenance, although the maintenance tasks are easy to carry out. The most obvious of these tasks is refilling the feed. When you refill feeders as necessary, you provide a reliable source of food for the birds. If you refill them on a hit-and-miss basis, birds probably won’t starve. But they will look elsewhere for food. You will have to start all over again in attracting birds to your feeding area or yard. The other two regular tasks revolve around cleaning. You should maintain the area around the feeders, and you should clean out the feeders every few months or so. Keeping the area neat and clean reduces the risk of spreading disease among the birds that frequent your bird feeders.

Keeping a supply of feed on hand and refilling the feeders when they get low will be your most frequent maintenance task. But your attention to this task will ensure that you enjoy regular visits from birds. You may choose from various types of feed, depending on the birds you wish to attract. Black-oil sunflower seeds probably appeal to the widest variety of birds. Therefore, sunflower is a popular feed choice. With sunflower seeds, you can attract chickadees, jays, sparrows, blackbirds, finches, cardinals, and even woodpeckers. Mixed seed is also a popular choice. Millet, corn, suet, and fruit will attract additional species to your yard.

You will need to clean the area around your bird feeders periodically. To carry out this task, rake up the seed hulls. If you allow them to stay there, they will begin to decompose. At this point, they can kill your grass, and they can also spread disease among the birds. You can prevent both of these conditions with a few minutes of raking every now and then.

Hummingbird feeders should be cleaned once a week, but you can clean other bird feeders less frequently-seasonally, or once every few months. Cleaning your bird feeders keeps them from spreading disease. When you prepare to clean, start with a basin of hot, soapy water. Mix one part bleach with nine parts water in a separate container. When you take down the feeders, dump out any remaining seeds. Wash the feeders in the soapy water and dip them into the bleach solution. Rinse them well afterward. Make sure they have dried completely before you refill them. Rehang the feeders.

Bird feeders come in all kinds of decorative colors and designs. As you shop for feeders, determine whether you can carry out these three tasks. You should refill the feeders as needed, clean the area surrounding the feeders periodically, and clean and sterilize the feeders themselves every few months. If you can attend to these chores, you should be off to a great start. Go pick out your favorite bird feeders and plot where you will place them and which feed you will stock them with. If you’re new to bird watching, grab a field guide and see how many birds you can identify.


- Rachel Dawson

Can Wild birds become tame at your feeder?

I have wild bird feeders all over my back yard and would love to be able to get really close to them while they are feeding.Is that possible? I get finches… american house and purple finches, Chickadees Grackles, Blue Jays Cardinals and Grosbeaks.Is there any specific specias that is not as shy/ timid & afraid of humans?Any advice would be very much appreciated.Please only give serious answers.Thanks.
- Avalon von Aldaran

Backyard Birding – the Success Formula

There is a chill in the air. Winter is approaching. As the supply of insects declines, birds will be searching for other sources of food. How many birds will you see at your feeder? That depends on how well you set up your backyard or garden. In this article, I will review some very easy steps that anyone can take to be virtually assured of attracting a variety of wild birds.

First, consider the basic needs of wild birds. They are the same three needs that all animals and people share – food, water, and shelter. Let’s take these issues one at a time.

Food

If you throw a bunch of seeds or stale bread on your lawn, you will attract birds. (See, I told you it was easy!) Of course, you will also attract squirrels, raccoons, cats, possums, and a host of insects. The birds that come around may only be starlings, sparrows, and crows. If you are not selective about which birds you attract, and you don’t mind having some other critters creeping around, then bird feeding could be that simple. This is not the method preferred by most backyard birders. To be more bird-selective, (and thereby reduce the number of unwanted prowlers), just be a little more selective about the type of food offered. Black oil sunflower seed and mixes of various seeds are available at many supermarkets or, usually more cost-effectively, at feed stores and garden centers. These foods attract a variety of wild birds, including chickadees, nuthatches, titmice, buntings, sparrows and cardinals. They can be placed in tube feeders or platform feeders, tube feeders being more selective toward the smaller songbird species.

Suet, which is raw beef or mutton fat, is a great, high-energy food for birds. Suet can be bought in preformed blocks at the supermarket, purchased unformed at the butcher shop, or formed by hand from the beef trimmings in your own kitchen. Suet, which is often mixed with nuts or seeds as an added bird-bonus, is particularly beneficial in the cold winter months when birds can really use the extra calorie boost.

Fruit, berries, and even peanut butter are also good for attracting wild birds. Whatever variety of food you choose, always keep the feeder clean to protect against bacteria that can harm the birds.

Water

Every living thing on earth needs water. A proper birdbath will attract many birds, some of which are pure insectivores and do not use bird feeders. The water in a birdbath should be no more than three inches deep to attract the greatest variety of wild birds. It is best if the floor of the birdbath is fairly light in color, so the birds can clearly gauge the depth. The floor of the birdbath should also slope gently to the deepest part, and it should be textured to assist birds with footing. The birdbath itself could be on a pedestal, hung from a branch or pole, or, if there is no danger from cats, it may be placed directly on the ground. In the winter, it may be necessary to add warm water to keep it from freezing, as most birds are poor skaters.

Watching the amusing antics around a birdbath is a uniquely entertaining experience for backyard birders. Birds of various species often perch around the rim, sporadically splashing, drinking, and preening in the water.

Shelter

Many times, providing shelter for birds is an easy task. Place your feeder in a spot that is near some trees. Birds will fly into the trees when they seek protection from weather or predators. Make sure there are no shrubs or high grass (or any other place where a cat might lay in ambush) within 12 feet of the bird feeder. The birds will take it from there.

Over the years, we have encroached on wild birds’ domain, polluted the air and water, and otherwise contributed to a shift in the natural balance that has put the survival of many bird species in question. We owe it to them to give a little assist. Recent conservation efforts have done much in that regard, but there is still a long way to go. Feed the birds and take another step to a happier, healthier world.


- Michael Rasco

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