 Seed Types
Black-oil sunflower seed:
This is the type that's preferred by the widest variety of species. Chickadees, titmice,
cardinals, and nuthatches are among the popular feeder birds that favor black-oil
sunflower seeds.
White
millet:
Many ground-feeding species, such as juncos and sparrows, are attracted to white millet.
Red
milo:
Some western species, including jays, flock to red milo.
Cracked
corn:
By scattering cracked corn over the ground, you'll invite doves to your feeding station.
Mixed
seed:
This is best sprinkled on the ground or onto platform feeders. Mixed seed typically
contains high quantities of millet, preferred by ground-feeding birds: many feeder birds
will not take millet. Likewise, ground-feeding birds that favor millet will not have
access to it if it's in a feeder. You may want to investigate to determine which
species your yard will attract. Or fill hanging feeders with sunflower seeds and spread
mixed seed for ground-feeding birds.
As an alternative to commercial
mixtures, which may have a high percentage of less-appealing "filler" seeds such
as red milo, you can create an attractive, low-cost mixture yourself. Fill an empty trash
barrel with one 25-pound bag of black-oil sunflower seed, one 10-pound bag of white proso
millet, and one 10-pound bag of cracked corn. Mix the seeds with a broomstick, fill your
feeder, and store the rest of the mixture with the lid on tightly.
Niger:
Also known as thistle seed, this will attract small finches such as goldfinches, siskins,
and redpolls. There are feeders specifically designed for thistle seed.
Safflower:
Although this seed is typically more expensive than sunflower, it is not proven to be more
preferred, but some reports claim that squirrels dislike it.
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