Attracting Backyard Birds

Although most bird seeds tend to look alike to humans, they are very different to the birds you’re feeding. Knowing the seed preference of different birds can help you attract a variety of fine feathered friends to your feeders. Consider these popular seed types and the common backyard birds they attract.

1 Sunflower 
Black sunflower seeds attract blue jays, goldfinches, woodpeckers, purple finches, chickadees, titmice and nuthatches. Striped sunflower seeds appeal to chickadees, doves, grosbeaks, northern cardinals, nuthatches, titmice and woodpeckers. Sunflower hearts attract chickadees, common redpolls, juncos, doves, finches, goldfinches, grosbeaks, nuthatches, pine siskins, titmice and woodpeckers.

2 Nyjer 
These lightweight, tiny seeds are a favorite of goldfinches. Put nyjer seeds in a hanging feeder with tiny holes so the small seeds won’t get blown away. Nyjer also attracts redpolls, juncos, doves, indigo bunting and pine siskin.

3 White millet
Good for scattering on the ground, white millet attracts ground feeders such as juncos, sparrows, indigo buntings, towhees and mourning doves.

4 Safflower 
These white seeds are slightly smaller than black sunflower seeds. Because they are bitter, grackles, blue jays, starlings — and squirrels — don’t like them. However, they do attract doves, purple finches, chickadees, titmice and downy woodpeckers.

5 Cracked corn
Popular with ground feeders, cracked corn appeals to doves, crows, jays, sparrows, juncos and towhees. Avoid getting finely cracked corn as it’s vulnerable to rot and can quickly turn to mush.

When choosing a bird seed mix, pay attention to the ingredients list on the package. Some cheaper mixes have filler seeds like wheat, red milo, red millet or “assorted grain products.” Most backyard birds won’t eat filler, so your seed mix could end up wasted on the ground.

Get more tips about making your backyard a bird oasis at eLivingtoday.com.