What to Put in Bird Feeders

Sunflower seeds

Purchase as seeds with shells or no-mess sunflower hearts with the shells removed (the latter attract more bird species). Sunflower seeds are loved by the following bird species:

• • Cardinal
  • Chickadee
  • Dove
  • Finch
  • Grosbeak
  • Junco
  • Nuthatch
  • Redwing Blackbird
  • Sparrow
  • Woodpecker

Millet

Loved by groundfeeding birds, millet comes in white or red (with most birds preferring white). Millet will attract a number of bird species, including:

• • Cardinal
  • Dove
  • Junco
  • Sparrow
  • Starling
  • Thrasher
  • Wren
  • Finch

Corn

Many birds love corn; ideally, corn should be cracked (broken into smaller pieces) to make it easier to eat. The bird species that are most likely to visit feeders with corn include:

• • Blackbird
  • Cowbird
  • Dove
  • Finch
  • Sparrow
  • Quail
  • Grackle
  • Jay
  • Pheasant
  • Other smaller birds if the corn is cracked

Peanuts

Peanuts, a highly nourishing food, go moldy 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. Bird species that are attracted to peanut feeders include:

• • Blackbird
  • Cardinal
  • Chickadee
  • Crow
  • Jay
  • Oriole
  • Nuthatch
  • Sparrow
  • Titmouse
  • Woodpecker
  • Wren

Fruit

Fruit may include cherries, berries, or chopped pieces of larger fruits (i.e., apples, peaches, etc.). Bird species that love fruit include:

• • Catbird
  • Grosbeak
  • Jay
  • Mockingbird
  • Oriole
  • Robin
  • Starling
  • Tanager
  • Thrush
  • Waxwing
  • Woodpecker
  • Wren

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. Bird species that are drawn to suet feeders include:

• • Bushtit
  • Catbird
  • Cardinal
  • Chickadee
  • Nuthatch
  • Oriole
  • Sparrow
  • Starling
  • Titmouse
  • Woodpecker

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. Bird species that love Nyger include:

• • Chickadee
  • Finch
  • Siskin
  • Sparrow

Safflower Seed

Safflower seed is disliked by grackles and cowbirds, but loved by many other bird species. Bird species that are attracted to feeders with safflower seed include:

• • Cardinal
  • Chickadee
  • Dove
  • Finch
  • Grosbeak
  • Sparrow

For gardening articles, visit the Gardening and Plants page.

References:

• • Classic Collection of North American Birds. (n.d.). “Birds of North America: Attracting Birds.” Birds-of-North-America.net.
  • Madison Audubon Society. (n.d.). “How to Attract Birds to Your Yard.” MadisonAudubon.org.