Bird watching and feeding have grown more popular over the years, and providing birds with the best food is essential to keeping them healthy. One of the most popular foods for birds is seed mix, a blend of different seeds that birds love to eat. However, most bird lovers don’t know what’s in these seed mixes.
That’s why we’re here to help you understand the different types of seeds found in a typical seed mix.
Sunflower Seeds
Sunflower seeds are rich in protein and oil, making them a valuable energy source for birds. Most seed mixes contain black oil sunflower seeds, the most nutritious and palatable type of sunflower seed. They are high in fat, providing birds with energy that is needed for long, cold winter nights. The striped sunflower seeds are another type found in some seed mixes. They have a thick shell, which makes them less desirable to birds but still provide a great food source.
Safflower Seeds
Safflower seeds are a white seed shaped like a small kernel. These seeds are great for attracting chickadees, sparrows, and doves. However, safflower seeds are not suitable for all bird types as some species may avoid them. Nonetheless, they are a great addition to any seed mix as they contain protein, fibre, and healthy fats.
Millet Seeds
Millet seeds are tiny, rounded seeds that most birds love to eat. They are high in carbohydrates, which provide birds with much-needed quick energy. Millet seeds come in different colors like white, red, and yellow, and are excellent for attracting sparrows, finches, and doves.
Nyjer Seeds
Nyjer seeds, also called thistle seeds, are black and attract birds like goldfinches, redpolls, and pine siskins. They contain low amounts of oil, are rich in calories, and are a great supplement to a bird’s diet. These seeds come in tiny beads and often require specialized bird feeders.
Cracked Corn
Incorporated into birdseed mixes, cracked corn is essential to diet for ground-feeding birds like sparrows, turkeys, doves, and quails. This type of corn is available in whole, kernel, or cracked forms and is high in carbohydrates essential for these birds.
Conclusion
Seed mixes offer different nutritious types of seeds that are essential to maintaining a healthy bird diet. Common ingredients found in seed mixes include sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, millet seeds, Nyjer seeds, and cracked corn, each serving a vital purpose for birds. Incorporating a seed mix into a bird feeder will attract a variety of birds with different dietary needs, continually providing entertainment for bird watchers.
Therefore, it’s essential to understand the various types of seeds in seed mixes to ensure you provide the right blend to keep your feathered friends well-fed and healthy throughout the year.
