These seeds are the highest in protein as well. It is highest in fat, which translates into quick energy for birds. These are the smallest in the family and have the thinnest shells to remove, so about 70% of the seed-eating birds prefer this highly nourishing seed. Within the sunflower seeds, the most popular single seed with the majority of seed-eating birds are the black oil sunflower seeds. Even within these two seed groups, there are distinctions and choices to be made. They are used singly and as the basic ingredients for most mixes. The most common seeds used in backyards across the country are the sunflower and millet seeds. You may find all kinds of birds on birdfeeders in Tucson and surrounding areasĬommon seed-eating birds that may come to your seed feeder include:
#Cardinal bird feeder for whole sunflower seeds crack
In order to crack the seed open, they manipulate the shell in their bills to align and position the food so it will crack with the least amount of pressure. While they cannot swallow these seeds whole, they use their heavy, strong bills to crack the shells, discard them, and swallow the smaller and nutritious nutmeats contained within. The seed is small and thin-shelled but has a very nutritious nutmeat at the center and the seed is easily opened by the goldfinch’s delicate yet sharp bill.Ĭardinals and Pyrrhuloxia, by contrast, have much larger and stouter beaks relative to size, and can therefore consume harder, thicker-shelled seeds that are bypassed by most other birds. For example, seed-eating birds with relatively thick bills may be more efficient at opening hard seeds but may also be less adept at opening smaller or softer seeds than their thinner-billed relatives.Ī common local bird, the goldfinch, prefers Nyjer thistle seed as the overwhelming favorite.
Other seeds may be softer-shelled and easier to open but less nutritious.Įach type of seed appeals to different types of birds. Of the many types of seeds that birds eat, including both wild and farmed seeds, some are hard and thick-shelled but very nutritious. All types of seeds described here are readily available at local bird stores (often in pre-made mixes), can be used in many different types of bird feeders, and provide healthy nutrition for our local and migratory wild birds. In this article, I cover the major types of seeds that can be used in backyard bird feeding stations, discuss which birds those seeds attract, and explain why the “economy seed mix” isn’t actually a good deal. However, about half of the avian species in our area are seed-eaters, so providing a mix of seeds will still attract a wide range of birds. The widest variety of foods will attract the widest variety of birds to your Tucson-area backyard bird feeders.
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