
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.
-