Wild bird seed

A backyard is never complete without the sights and sounds of wild birds. These creatures can help you enjoy the sounds of nature and can create a peaceful setting. One sure way to lure these birds to your backyard is to have the right kind of food waiting for them.

Which birds will I see?

You need to have an idea of what kind of birds you would like to see in your yard. You need to know which bird likes which food. Generally, one type of food attracts a variety of birds. Be aware that Jays and Sparrows are commonly known as greedy birds. Jays may scare away birds that are enjoying the treat you have put out for them, and Sparrows tend to eat until the feeder is empty.

Suet

Suet comes in a suet cake and needs to hang in a wire feeder. It attracts Woodpeckers, Jays, Chickadees, Mockingbirds, Robins, Bluebirds, Warblers, Cardinals, Grosbeaks, Sparrows, Orioles, and Goldfinches. Keep in mind that the feeder you use will need to keep squirrels out. A common type of suet is labeled Suet Plus. This variety is made to last through tough weather and creates little mess. Another “plus” is that it comes in many different flavors, including peanut, sunflower, and nuts and berries. Some flavors are enhanced with natural energy or calcium.

Peanut suet

Cracked corn

Cracked corn can simply be spread around on the ground, or in feeders that sit on the ground or hang. Cracked corn attracts Pheasants, Pigeons, Doves, Jays, Towhees, and Starlings. Cracked corn is a pretty simple product. It cannot be enhanced and can be easily found online or in your local hardware store. It is usually sold in four-pound bags for around $3.00, 25 pounds for $30.00, and 50 pounds for $40.00.

Cracked corn

Sunflower seeds

Sunflower seeds should be held in a hanging feeder. Different types of sunflower seeds attract Woodpeckers, Jays, Chickadees, Mockingbirds, Cardinals, Towhees, Sparrows, Grosbeaks, and Goldfinches.

Sunflower seed bird feeders

Sunflower seeds are a basic meal for wild birds. Black-oil sunflower seed is known as the universal bird food. The oil that covers the seeds is especially helpful to birds in the winter – they use it to cover their wings and keep in a little extra heat. The downfall to this seed is that it is high in fat and is healthier for birds if it is mixed with other various seeds and nuts. The cheaper alternative is striped sunflower seeds. Smaller birds may have trouble cracking open this type because the shell is harder than black-oil sunflower seed. When comparing 50-pound bags of each, the black-oil sunflower seeds cost around $60.00, while striped sunflower seeds are $50.00 or less.

Thistle seed for birds

Thistle is a seed that needs to be held in a special hanging feeder because of its small size. Thistle seeds attract very pretty birds, such as Goldfinches, Purple Finches, and Mourning Doves.

Thistle bird feeders

This type of feed is also known as Nyjer seed. It is highly desirable because it contains high amounts of fat and protein, good sources of energy for birds. A 20-pound bag of this type can be found for around $50.00.

Millet seed

Millet is a group of small-seeded grains, and attracts Pigeons, Doves, Cardinals, Buntings, Grosbeaks, Towhees, Sparrows, Juncos, Starlings, and Goldfinches. Millet can be found mostly in wild bird food mixes. On its own, it is very healthy and attracts a good variety of wild birds. A 25-pound bag of millet costs about $20.00.

MILLET SEED, 25 lbs.

Organic bird food

The pesticides found in typical bird feed can be very harmful to the birds or even to the pets that sometimes eat the birds in your backyard. Organic bird food ensures the safety of many of the animals found in your yard. These products usually run at exceptionally higher prices than regular wild bird feed.

Where to find wild bird seed

Some popular bird seed suppliers are websites like kaytee.com and petfooddirect.com. You can also find quality wild bird seed in your town (or close to it) at local hardware stores and at franchise stores, such as Wal-Mart and Petco. For the cheapest wild bird feed, it is best to go through websites like BirdSeedCentral. This site eliminates the middleman and ensures that you are working directly with the manufacturer. Most birdseed products found on store shelves are marked up to significantly higher prices.

Bird seed can brighten up your backyard with a colorful variety of wildlife. In addition to natural beauty, you may be interested in deciding on some garden accents for your home.