OUR GUIDE TO BIRDING

Black Oil Sunflower Seeds

They are high in fat and calories, ideal for giving birds exceptional energy and good nutrition. Any birds with good, thick bills will be able to crack through the thin shells to extract the seed.

 

Attracts – All songbirds such as Cardinal, Bunting, Jay, Chickadee, Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, Gray Catbird, etc.
Feeder Type – Hopper, tube or tray feeders with medium or large feeding ports or open feeding space

 

Sunflower Hearts

Sunflower seeds with the shells already removed are ideal for many birds because they offer the energy and nutrition (a superior source of fat, fiber, protein, and vitamins) of sunflower seeds with no effort to crack the shells. These seeds are also a great choice for picky birders because spilled seeds will not sprout (see our Native Bird ‘Less Mess’ blend)

 

Attracts – Seed-loving songbirds such as Cardinal, Finch, Sparrow, Bunting, Grosbeak, Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, Mourning Dove, Wren, Woodpecker, Jay, etc.
Feeder Type – Hopper, tray and tube feeders with medium feeding ports or open feeding space

​

Safflower

This larger, thicker seed looks like a sunflower seed and offers similar nutrition for birds. The seed taste is bitter and is a good choice to discourage Squirrel, Grackle and Starling from feeding (they don’t like it!) but the thick shell can be hard for small birds to open. If you have a great many birds visiting your feeder and want to ensure that something will interest Cardinals, mixing safflower will ensure that some seed will be left for the Cardinals.

 

Attracts – Cardinal, Grosbeak, Chickadee, Jay, Chickadee, Nuthatch, Grosbeak, Tufted Titmouse, Mourning Dove, Finch (House, Purple), etc.
Feeder Type – Hopper, tube or tray feeders with medium or large feeding ports or open feeding space

​

Peanuts

Peanuts are a favorite food to many birds. As they are high in fat and protein, they are an excellent source of energy and calories (especially in areas that have cold winters) and they're ideal for birds to tuck away and store for another day. 

Whether offering whole shelled peanuts or shelled/chips, some types of peanuts should never be offered to birds. Flavored varieties, including salted, smoked, or seasoned peanuts, as well as any peanuts with a candy or chocolate coating, are never appropriate and can be dangerous for birds.

 

Attracts - Cardinal, Jay, Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Creeper, Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Wren, Mourning Dove, Towhee, Sparrow, Dark-Eyed Junco, etc.

Feeder Type - *Shelled Peanuts: peanut feeder, tray feeder, open feeding space. *Unshelled Peanuts: Hopper, tube, tray with medium or large feeding ports or open feeding space

 

White Proso Millet

These seed are a good source of carbohydrates for hungry birds. Feeding millet to your backyard birds will provide them with necessary nutrition and can attract a variety of different species to your feeders.

 

Attracts – Smaller seed-eaters such as Bunting, Cardinal, Towhee, Dark-Eyed Junco, Sparrow, Finch, Mourning Dove, etc.
Feeder Type – Hopper or tube feeders with small or medium feeding ports, or protected trays

​

Hummingbird Nectar (Sugar Water)

If you’re lucky enough to live in an area where Hummingbirds live or migrate, you’ll want a Hummingbird feeder for sure! The sugar water solution that they love is a simple one, here is the recipe!

    1 part sugar (Audubon recommends refined white sugar, not organic. Click here to read why)

    4 parts water

    Place both in a sauce pan big enough to hold the amount of water you’re using and turn on low heat. Stir until combine and the sugar is melted. Take off heat and let cool completely before filling your feeders!

​

 *sugar water can spoil quite fast so it is very important to replenish your feeders with fresh solution as often as every 3-4 days. With this in mind, it may not be necessary to fill your feeders all the way up as the sugar water can go to waste, unless you’re lucky enough to have a large Hummingbird population that visits you!