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Sunflower Seed
Purchase as seeds with shells or no-mess sunflower hearts with the shells removed (the latter attract more bird species).
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- Cardinal
- Chickadee
- Dove
- Finch
- Grosbeak
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- Junco
- Nuthatch
- Redwing Blackbird
- Sparrow
- Woodpecker
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Millet
Loved by groundfeeding birds, millet comes in white or red (with most birds preferring white).
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- Cardinal
- Dove
- Junco
- Sparrow
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- Starling
- Thrasher
- Wren
- Finch
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Corn
Many birds love corn; ideally, corn should be cracked (broken into smaller pieces) to make it easier to eat.
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- Blackbird
- Cowbird
- Dove
- Finch
- Sparrow
- Quail
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- Grackle
- Jay
- Pheasant
- Other smaller birds if the corn is cracked
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Peanuts
Peanuts, a highly nourishing food, go mouldy easily so special feeders are required to keep them dry, or a small amount can be put out each day rather than leaving a large batch exposed to the elements for several days at a time; peanuts are the favourite of many different birds, particularly woodpeckers.
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- Blackbird
- Cardinal
- Chickadee
- Crow
- Jay
- Oriole
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- Nuthatch
- Sparrow
- Titmouse
- Woodpecker
- Wren
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Fruit
Fruit may include cherries, berries, or chopped pieces of larger fruits (i.e., apples, peaches, etc.).
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- Catbird
- Grosbeak
- Jay
- Mockingbird
- Oriole
- Robin
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- Starling
- Tanager
- Thrush
- Waxwing
- Woodpecker
- Wren
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Suet
Suet comprises beef fat either on its own or combined with other foods such as seeds, fruit, or nuts; suet provides much-needed fat to guard against lean times.
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- Bushtit
- Catbird
- Cardinal
- Chickadee
- Nuthatch
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- Oriole
- Sparrow
- Starling
- Titmouse
- Woodpecker
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Nyger/Nyjer (Thistle) Seed
These skinny seeds, imported from Africa, are a little more expensive and require special feeders that prevent seed from falling out; Nyger doesn't grow well in North America, so spilled seeds aren't likely to grow like weeds and take over the garden.
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Safflower Seed
Safflower seed is disliked by grackles and cowbirds, but loved by many other bird species, so it can be used to discourage unwanted birds from visiting your feeders.
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