Types of Bird Seed and Food Part I

Once you've made the decision on what type of bird feeder to use, it's time to decide what bird seed to buy. All seeds aren't the same, however, so take some time to choose the type of feed that's right for the birds you want to attract. Following are short descriptions of commonly available squirrel proof bird feeders components. You can buy commercially mixed seed designed to attract certain types of birds, or you can mix your own. You may find that birds in your backyard favor one type of food over another; it may be beneficial to study their feeding habits and create your own customized mix. Sunflower Seeds Perhaps the most versatile of all the feed types, sunflower seeds will attract a wide diversity of birds to your feeders. Black-oil sunflower seeds, one of the most popular type of seed for bird feeders, have small, thin shells that make them easier for small birds, such as chickadees, to crack open and eat.. Black-oil sunflower seeds are also high in fat, which especially benefits birds in the winter.

Striped sunflower seeds have thicker shells and are better for heavy-billed birds such as cardinals. Compared with black-oil sunflower seeds, they are harder to crack open and may be a good choice if you don't wish to feed blackbirds or house sparrows. Discarded hulls underneath the feeder may contain leftover seed pieces and attract rodents, so keep them cleaned up. Purchasing seed that's already hulled will help avoid a mess, but hulled seed tends to be more expensive and will spoil more easily than seeds with shells, so you may have to refill the feeder more frequently. Birds that feed on black-oil sunflower seeds include:

* Buntings

* Cardinals

* Chickadees

* House finches

* Purple finches

* Grosbeaks

* Nuthatches

* Pine siskins

* Tufted titmice

* Woodpeckers

Birds that will eat striped sunflower seeds include:

* Cardinals

* Grosbeaks

* Jays

* Nuthatches

* Titmice

* Woodpeckers

Safflower seeds

Safflower is a hard-shelled seed.. Cardinals especially like safflower seeds, and they may be advantageous as a seed choice in that house sparrows, starlings and squirrels don't usually eat them. Birds that enjoy safflower include:

* Cardinals

* Grosbeaks

* Doves

* Native sparrows

* Titmice

* Purple finches

White proso millet

Millet has a hard seed coat, which makes it less susceptible to rot. White millet is popular with small-beaked, ground-feeding birds and often scattered on the ground or provided in low platform squirrel proof bird feeders. (If scattered on the ground, put no more out than birds can eat in a day.) Cornell bird specialists caution that birds that some people consider a pest, such as cowbirds, blackbirds and house sparrows, also favor millet. Birds that enjoy white millet include:

* Quail

* Native sparrows

* Doves

* Towhees

* Juncos

* Cardinals

Shelled and cracked corn

Cracked corn attracts a number of squirrel proof bird feeders. It's often a good choice for ground-feeding birds and ducks. Audubon specialists say to look for medium cracked corn; finely ground corn can turn to mush if it gets damp, and coarsely ground corn may be too large for small-beaked birds.

Note that cracked corn rots easily if it becomes wet; it's best to put it in a weatherproof feeder or only put out small amounts at a time. Caution: Cracked corn may attract starlings, cowbirds and house sparrows, and it may also attract deer or squirrels.

University of Florida wildlife specialists warn that seed coated with a red or pink dye may indicate that it has been treated with a fungicide. Treated seed can be harmful to birds, so don't use it for feeding. Cracked corn attracts:

* Pigeons

* Ducks

* Grouse

* Pheasants

* Quail

* Grosbeaks

* Jays

Peanuts

Shelled peanuts are favored by a number of species, especially jays. Note that peanuts are also a favorite of starlings, and may attract raccoons and squirrels. Shelled peanuts must be kept dry and feeders must be refilled frequently to avoid molding. Try not to put out more than birds can eat in a day or two. Birds that enjoy peanuts include:

* Woodpeckers

* Chickadees

* Nuthatches

* Titmice

* Jays

* Carolina wrens