This grain is available in both red (pictured) and white varieties. In individual backyards, the birds that will eat milo may vary depending on what better food sources are available. Game birds, including turkeys, pheasants, doves, and quail, will eat milo, as will ducks, geese, grackles, jays, and other large birds. Milo is a filler seed with poor nutritional value for birds, but it does offer some iron, fiber, and calcium for birds that eat it. If seed is sprinkled directly on the ground, any ground-feeding birds will enjoy the feast. These sunflower seeds can be offered in a wide variety of feeders, including hoppers, tube, or mesh feeders with wide openings and open trays and platforms. Bird gardeners can also grow and harvest black oil sunflower seeds during the summer months and birds will strip the seeds from the flower heads when the plants mature. As a smaller type of sunflower seed, black oil seeds are also more economical because a single bag will contain more seeds than a similarly sized bag of striped sunflower seeds. These seeds are also often formed into seed blocks and cakes, often with whimsical shapes such as hearts, bells, or wreaths for holidays.īlack oil sunflower seeds have thin shells and a high oil content that appeals to the majority of bird species, including cardinals, chickadees, sparrows, finches, titmice, woodpeckers, grosbeaks, and jays. A key component of many birdseed mixes, black oil sunflower seeds are also available without other seeds mixed in. Lowest cost medium-size grain, attracts many types of birdsĮasily available source, rich in protein and fiberīlack oil sunflower seeds are the single most popular seed for different bird species. Lower cost small grain, attracts small-beaked birdsĭoes not work in mesh feeders or small tubes Teeny seeds create mess, needs specific types of feeders Higher cost small seed, attracts small-beaked birds Superior source of fat, fiber, protein, and vitamins Higher cost shell-free seed, attracts many types of birds Uncommon seed, birds need time to get used to the taste Packed with nutrition, very squirrel-proof Higher cost with thick shell, attracts songbirds Higher cost with thick shell, attracts large birds Highest cost seed with thin shell, popular with all types of birds Below, we’ll break down the different types of birdseed and what to consider when choosing which is best for your outdoor feeder. Elaborate mixes are often marketed as bird-specific, such as a "songbird mix" or "finch mix" depending on what seeds are included. These mixes may even contain bits of dried fruit, dried mealworms, or other exceptional treats that appeal to some bird species. Higher cost mixes often have more popular and desirable seeds, such as sunflower seeds or even sunflower hearts, pumpkin seeds, and nuts or nut hearts. These mixes can be cheaper and easy to use, but birders may see large quantities of waste as birds seek out favorite seeds in the mix. Wheat is a popular filler addition but has little nutritional value for birds. Inexpensive birdseed mixes typically contain large quantities of milo and millet, as well as smaller amounts of cracked corn, sunflower seeds, and other seeds or grain. There are many types of seed that can offer a food source to birds in need of an energy boost during migration and other times of the year. The Spruce Home Improvement Review Boardīirdseed for outdoor feeders is a nutritional supplement meant to cater to the general bird population, and some benefit specific species of birds.
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