The Best Birdseed for Attracting Songbirds

Choosing the right birdseed will help you to attract the birds you like the most to your yard.  There’s a lot of crossover where bird’s tastes for food are concerned, and almost any birdseed will attract a variety of avian friends to your feeder. 

 

The quality of the birdseed is not something that can be compromised, however.  Birds are picky eaters in this regard and, if you get poor quality seed, they’ll likely move on unless they’re very hungry.

 

Sunflower seeds, particularly black oil sunflower seeds, are among the most popular birdseed options.  These will attract just about every kind of bird, including cardinals, grosbeaks and finches.  You can buy sunflower seeds very cheaply from any garden center.  Make sure that any birdseed you buy is mature.  Sunflower seeds should be thick, not flat, and make sure that there’s no mold or dirt on them when you buy them.  Birds will avoid moldy seeds and the mold will grow to taint any other seeds up in the feeder.  Be sure to soak your feeder in boiling water for at least an hour, and scrub it well if you spot mold growing inside it. .

 

Birdseed can also be used to attract a specific type of songbird.  For instance, blue jays tend to go crazy for peanuts and, even though it’s not birdseed in the proper sense of the term, it’s a great addition to your feeders.  Nyger seed is popular with many birds, as well.  Finches, in particular, like this oily type of seed.  There are also birdseed blends available that will help you to attract a variety of birds to your yard. 

 

Here’s a quick tip – whenever you’re out buying seed for your feeders, make sure that you buy it in a clear package.  You can inspect it for quality in this way and make sure you’re offering good birdseed.

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