What Birdseed Attracts the Most Birds

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What Birdseed Attracts the Most Birds?

Attracting various birds to your backyard can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. Providing the right birdseed is crucial to creating a bird-friendly environment. Different bird species have distinct preferences when it comes to food, so offering a diverse range of birdseed types can significantly increase the number of birds that visit your yard. Let's explore the best birdseed options to attract the most birds:

1. Black Oil Sunflower Seeds

Black oil sunflower seeds are perhaps the most versatile and beloved birdseed among backyard birds. Their high oil content and thin shells make it easy for many bird species to crack open and consume. Chickadees and cardinals are frequent visitors to sunflower seed feeders, delighting birdwatchers with their vibrant colors. Finches, including house finches, goldfinches, and purple finches, are especially fond of these seeds, providing a stunning display of colors when they gather around the feeders. Nuthatches exhibit their acrobatic skills while clinging to feeders to enjoy sunflower seeds. Additionally, woodpeckers, such as downy woodpeckers, hairy woodpeckers, and red-bellied woodpeckers, relish the energy-rich content of these seeds.

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List of birds that eat sunflower seeds

  • Chickadees
  • Cardinals
  • Finches (House Finches, Goldfinches, Purple Finches)
  • Nuthatches
  • Woodpeckers (Downy Woodpeckers, Hairy Woodpeckers, Red-bellied Woodpeckers)
  • Blue Jays
  • Titmice
  • Grosbeaks (Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Evening Grosbeaks)
  • Juncos
  • Sparrows (White-crowned Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows)
  • Pine Siskins
  • Red-winged Blackbirds
  • Indigo Buntings
  • Common Redpolls
  • Northern Cardinals
  • Evening Grosbeaks
  • Wrens
  • Brown-headed Cowbirds
  • House Sparrows

2. Nyjer (Thistle) Seeds

Tiny but mighty Nyjer or thistle seeds are the preferred finch delicacy. American goldfinches are enthusiastic about these seeds, often turning bright yellow during the breeding season. Pine siskins are regular visitors to Nyjer feeders, with their streaked bodies and cheery calls adding liveliness to any backyard. Common redpolls are another delightful visitor to Nyjer feeders, sporting red caps and streaked plumage. House finches and indigo buntings also join the feast, enhancing the diversity of birds flocking to enjoy these nutritious seeds.

List of birds that eat Nyjer / Thistle Seed

  • Goldfinches (American Goldfinches)
  • Pine Siskins
  • Common Redpolls
  • Finches
  • Indigo Buntings
  • Dark-eyed Juncos
  • White-crowned Sparrows
  • White-throated Sparrows
  • Chipping Sparrows
  • Lesser Goldfinches
  • Purple Finches
  • Evening Grosbeaks
  • Pine Grosbeaks
  • Red Crossbills
  • Common Redpolls
  • Yellow-rumped Warblers
  • American Tree Sparrows
  • Eastern Towhees
  • White-winged Crossbills

3. Safflower Seeds

Several bird species are known to enjoy safflower seeds. Cardinals are avid fans of safflower seeds, and their bright red plumage creates a striking contrast against the greenery. With their playful personalities, Chickadees often grab a seed and then retreat to a nearby branch to crack it open. Titmice are also frequent safflower feeders, occasionally storing some seeds for later consumption. House finches and pine siskins, though often seen at other feeders, also partake in safflower seed offerings. One advantage of using safflower seeds is that squirrels and some unwanted birds typically find them less appealing, allowing the preferred bird species to feed undisturbed.

List of birds that eat safflower seeds

  • Cardinals
  • Chickadees
  • Titmice
  • Finches and Pine Siskins
  • White-breasted Nuthatches
  • House Sparrows
  • American Goldfinches
  • Mourning Doves
  • Common Redpolls
  • Eastern Towhees
  • Carolina Wrens
  • Indigo Buntings
  • Evening Grosbeaks
  • Brown-headed Cowbirds
  • Black-capped Chickadees
  • Tufted Titmice
  • White-crowned Sparrows
  • White-throated Sparrows

4. Millet

Ground-feeding birds are particularly drawn to the abundance of millet scattered on the ground or offered in platform feeders. House sparrows are among the most common visitors, eagerly pecking at the millet. Doves, including mourning doves and Eurasian collared doves, join the feast, bobbing their heads as they forage. With their adorable hopping movements, dark-eyed juncos are quick to join the dinner. American tree sparrows are also known to appreciate the easy-to -find millet, adding a touch of charm to the feeding area. Eastern towhees and indigo buntings occasionally sample the millet, adding excitement to the birdwatching experience.

List of birds that eat millet

  • House Sparrows
  • Doves (Mourning Doves, Eurasian Collared Doves)
  • Dark-eyed Juncos
  • American Tree Sparrows
  • Eastern Towhees
  • Indigo Buntings
  • Common Redpolls
  • Northern Cardinals
  • Eastern Bluebirds
  • Red-winged Blackbirds
  • Brown-headed Cowbirds
  • Finches
  • Yellow-rumped Warblers
  • Chipping Sparrows
  • Field Sparrows
  • White-crowned Sparrows
  • Dark-eyed Juncos
  • Eastern Towhees
  • Bobwhites

5. Cracked Corn

Cracked corn is a wallet-friendly option to attract various ground-feeding birds. House sparrows and doves are often the first to discover the scattered corn, pecking at it eagerly. Dark-eyed juncos, with their distinct slate-colored bodies and white bellies, are frequent visitors during winter. American tree sparrows are also regular visitors to cracked corn offerings, distinguishable by their rusty caps. Eastern towhees and indigo buntings occasionally indulge in this treat. Red-winged blackbirds and brown-headed cowbirds are other likely visitors, adding their distinct calls to the chorus of bird songs in the yard. However, it's worth noting that cracked corn can also attract unwanted guests, such as raccoons and squirrels, so consider using specific feeders to minimize access to these pests.

List of birds that eat cracked corn

  • House Sparrows
  • Doves (Mourning Doves, Eurasian Collared Doves)
  • Dark-eyed Juncos
  • American Tree Sparrows
  • Eastern Towhees
  • Indigo Buntings
  • Common Redpolls
  • Northern Cardinals
  • Eastern Bluebirds
  • Red-winged Blackbirds
  • Brown-headed Cowbirds
  • Finches
  • Yellow-rumped Warblers
  • Chipping Sparrows
  • Field Sparrows
  • White-crowned Sparrows
  • Dark-eyed Juncos
  • Eastern Towhees
  • Bobwhites

6. Peanuts and Peanut Hearts

Peanuts and peanut hearts are a surefire way to attract woodpeckers, showcasing their strong bills and acrobatic moves. Downy, hairy, and red-bellied woodpeckers often frequent peanut feeders, hammering away to retrieve the nutmeats. Nuthatches, such as white and red-breasted nuthatches, are also skilled at extracting peanuts from feeders. Blue jays, with their brilliant blue feathers and raucous calls, are notorious for their love of peanuts. Their larger size and assertive behavior may often dominate the feeding station. Finches, including purple finches and pine siskins, occasionally sample peanuts, adding variety to the visitors to peanut feeders. Additionally, squirrels may be tempted to visit peanut feeders, so consider using squirrel-proof feeders if you prefer to focus solely on attracting birds.

List of birds that eat peanuts

  • Blue Jays
  • Woodpeckers (Downy Woodpeckers, Hairy Woodpeckers, Red-bellied Woodpeckers)
  • Nuthatches (White-breasted Nuthatches, Red-breasted Nuthatches)
  • Titmice
  • Chickadees
  • Finches
  • Crows
  • Grackles
  • Starlings
  • Raccoons (Not a bird, but they might visit for peanuts)
  • Squirrels (Not birds, but they might be attracted to peanuts)
  • White-breasted Nuthatches
  • Red-breasted Nuthatches
  • Common Ravens
  • White-breasted Nuthatches
  • Red-breasted Nuthatches
  • Common Ravens
  • European Starlings
  • Brown-headed Cowbirds
  • American Crows

7. Suet

Suet is not a seed, but its high-energy content makes it valuable to any bird-friendly yard. Woodpeckers are particularly drawn to suet feeders. Downy, hairy, and red-bellied woodpeckers frequently visit these feeders, treating birdwatchers to their lively antics. Nuthatches, such as white and red-breasted nuthatches, are also enthusiastic consumers of suet—Chickadees, including Carolina and black-capped chickadees, dart in and out to grab a quick bite. Like tufted titmice and black-capped chickadees, regular visitors are attracted by the suet's high-calorie content. Kinglets, such as ruby-crowned and golden-crowned kinglets, occasionally join the suet feast, showcasing their vibrant crowns and tiny size. Warblers, like yellow-rumped warblers and pine warblers, also appreciate the energy boost from suet during migration seasons. Starlings, common ravens, house sparrows, and European starlings are additional birds known to visit. Suet feeders, adding a mix of sounds and behaviors to the feeding station.

List of birds that eat suet

  • Woodpeckers (Downy Woodpeckers, Hairy Woodpeckers, Red-bellied Woodpeckers)
  • Nuthatches (White-breasted Nuthatches, Red-breasted Nuthatches)
  • Chickadees
  • Titmice
  • Kinglets (Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Golden-crowned Kinglets)
  • Warblers (Yellow-rumped Warblers)
  • Blue Jays
  • Starlings
  • Eastern Bluebirds
  • House Sparrows
  • White-breasted Nuthatches
  • Red-breasted Nuthatches
  • Common Ravens
  • European Starlings
  • Brown-headed Cowbirds
  • American Crows
  • Pine Warblers
  • Palm Warblers
  • Orange-crowned Warblers
  • Black-and-white Warblers

Conclusion

Creating a welcoming space for birds in your backyard begins with offering the right birdseed. Providing a diverse array of seeds can attract various bird species, bringing life and color to your outdoor space. Remember to consider the local bird population and their preferences to optimize the success of your bird feeding station. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the sight of beautiful birds visiting your yard!