Bird feeding is a fun and rewarding hobby for backyard bird enthusiasts. Keeping your feeders filled with nutritious foods will attract beautiful, fascinating birds to your yard throughout the year. But with so many options at the bird seed store you may be wondering – what are the best ingredients to look for in quality bird food? This article explains what bird food is made of and how to choose the healthiest bird seed mixes.
An Overview of Bird Foods
The most common ingredients in bird food mixes are seeds, nuts, fruits and grains Here’s a quick rundown of the most nutritious bird food types
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Sunflower seeds – The most popular bird seed, preferred by a wide variety of birds. Offer black oil sunflower seeds to attract the greatest diversity.
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Safflower – A favorite of cardinals finches chickadees and other small birds. It has a thick shell that deters squirrels.
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Nyjer or thistle – Tiny, oil-rich seeds relished by finches like goldfinches and siskins. Use special nyjer feeders.
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Peanuts – Whole or chopped peanuts will lure jays, woodpeckers, nuthatches and more. Also loved by squirrels.
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Millet – The small white seeds attract ground feeding birds like doves, juncos and sparrows.
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Cracked corn – Tempts larger species such as ducks, pheasants, doves and crows. Offer in limited amounts.
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Fruit – Dried raisins, berries and apples appeal to robins, waxwings and other fruit-loving birds.
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Suet – Nutrient-dense suet cakes provide fat and protein for woodpeckers, nuthatches and wrens.
The Best Bird Seed Mix Ingredients
When choosing bird seed, look for mixes that contain mostly sunflower seeds, nyjer, safflower, peanuts, and white millet in descending order of volume. These seeds provide the fats, carbohydrates and proteins birds need to thrive. Here’s a breakdown of the nutritional value of these top bird foods:
Sunflower – High in fat and protein. The thin shells of black oil sunflower make it accessible to the greatest number of birds.
Nyjer – Very high in fat and filled with nutrients. The tiny size appeals to finches.
Safflower – Rich in fats and protein. The tough shell deters squirrels. Cardinals, chickadees and finches relish safflower.
Peanuts – Packed with fat, protein and calories. Peanuts attract jays, woodpeckers, titmice and more.
Millet – Higher in carbohydrates, millet complements other fattier seeds. Ground feeding birds like sparrows and doves eat millet.
When you see these ingredients at the top of the list, you know you’re getting a quality bird food mix. On the other hand, some types of seeds offer limited nutritional value. Avoid mixes with excessive amounts of “filler” seeds like milo, wheat, flax, oats and canary seeds. While not harmful, fillers will go uneaten and lead to waste.
Make Your Own Custom Bird Seed Mix
You can easily create tailored bird seed mixes by purchasing seeds individually and blending your own mixes. Here are tips for putting together custom bird food:
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Buy sunflower, safflower, nyjer, millet, peanuts and corn in bulk bins.
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Mix several parts black oil sunflower and safflower with smaller amounts of the other seeds based on your birds’ favorites.
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Add nutritious extras like dried mealworms, fruit bits, oats or cracked nuts.
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Store your homemade mix in airtight containers away from heat and moisture.
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Offer suet, nectar and other foods along with your seed blend.
As the bulk bins allow, combine different proportions of seeds to create the ideal bird food for your backyard flock. Observe which ingredients your birds prefer and adjust the mix accordingly. You’ll save money and reduce waste.
Offer A Variety of Bird Foods
While quality seed mixes form the base of bird feeding, remember to round out your feeders’ offerings with suet, nuts, fruit and nectar. Providing a variety of foods will attract a diversity of bird species to your yard. Hoppers, trays and ground feeding meet different birds’ habits and needs. And switch up food locations to give all birds access.
By understanding the nutritional content of various bird food ingredients, you can select and mix the best seeds, nuts and fruits to nourish backyard birds. Take a little time to observe the feeding preferences of your avian visitors to create custom blends. Then enjoy watching your yard come alive with happy, healthy wild birds feasting at your all-you-can-eat bird cafe!
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Maryland Farm & Harvest: Milo to Birdseed
FAQ
What is the main ingredient in bird food?
Bird food or bird seed is food intended for consumption by wild, commercial, or pet birds. It is typically composed of seeds, nuts, dry fruits, flour, and may be enriched with vitamins and proteins. Bird food can vary depending upon dietary habits and beak shapes.
How do you make bird food?
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Bird’s Eye Meeplehttps://birdseyemeeple.comHow to Make Homemade Bird Food + Simple Homemade Bird FeedersUse mostly seeds and grains, with moderate amounts of fruits and fats. … Spread peanut butter on a pinecone and roll it in bird seed mix. … Toast bread unti…
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Birds and Bloomshttps://www.birdsandblooms.com6 Homemade Bird Suet Recipes – Birds and BloomsDec 13, 2023 — * Expert-Approved Suet Cakes Recipe. 1 cup peanut butter. 1 cup lard. 2 cups quick cooking oats. 2 cups birdseed mix. 1 cup yellow cornmeal. 1 cup …
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Cornell Lab of Ornithologyhttps://www.birds.cornell.eduFun DIY Bird Feeders – Cornell Lab of OrnithologyEmpty 1 package of unflavored gelatin into a bowl with 2 tablespoons of cold water. Let this sit for 1 minute. Add 1/3 cup of boiling water to the gelatin, stir…
Can I just throw bird seed in the yard?
- Attracts a variety of birds: Many bird species are ground feeders and will readily take advantage of scattered seed.
- Can be a good way to supplement bird feeders: If you have feeders, scattering seed can offer a wider range of food sources for different birds.
- Convenient: It’s a relatively simple way to provide food for birds.
Is bird seed ok for humans?
Eating bird food is generally safe for humans, as it’s designed to provide the necessary nutrients for birds and does not contain harmful ingredients.
What is bird food made of?
Bird food or bird seed is food intended for consumption by wild, commercial, or pet birds. It is typically composed of seeds, nuts, dry fruits, flour, and may be enriched with vitamins and proteins. Bird food can vary depending upon dietary habits and beak shapes. How do you make homemade bird food? Keep reading to see how easy diy bird food is.
Where does bird food come from?
Raw Materials. The most commonly used birdseed ingredients are sunflowers, corn, millet, fruits (such as raisins and cherries), and peanuts. Many of these crops come from Nebraska, Kansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota. One of the primary ingredients in birdseed is sunflower seeds. Is bird food healthy for humans?
Are bird food mixes good for birds?
While the bird seeds above pack nutrition, many inexpensive bird food mixes bulk up on cheap filler seeds that most birds won’t eat. Avoid mixes with lots of: Milo: Also called sorghum, milo is popular with birds in the Southwest but largely ignored by East coast backyard birds.
Where can I buy bird food?
Bird foods based on seeds and non-seed supplies are commonly obtained as by-products on farms, but can also be bought from independent retailers. Commercial bird food is widely available for feeding wild and domesticated birds, in the forms of both seed combinations and pellets.
Are there filler ingredients in homemade bird seed?
When it comes to making homemade bird seed, there are a few “filler” ingredients that should be avoided. Topping the list are grain sorghum (milo) and related filler grains. Milo (red sorghum) is best left out of bird seed mixes. These are two ingredients found in many of the inexpensive bird seed blends on the market.
Do birds eat seeds?
Most wild birds like to eat seeds, grains, fruits, and fat. Many also enjoy bugs, but you probably already have those in your yard. To make your own homemade bird seed, simply combine the bird-friendly items that you have on hand. Use mostly seeds and grains, with moderate amounts of fruits and fats.