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Having a hard time to choose which wild bird seed or bird food should you buy for your feeders? Sweat no more as we bring you basic guidelines that you can use whenever you are shopping around for bird seeds and other bird foods. We shall be discussing the common bird foods such as seeds, their characteristics and what kind of bird eats them for a living.
Currently, most wild bird feeder owners look for black oil sunflower seeds as this is thought to be the most attractive type of seeds for most birds. The reason is that these thin-shelled seeds are very rich in oil which in turn provides energy for travelling birds. However, black oil sunflower seeds is not that much useful if you have a large bird feeder.
Sunflower seeds are only ideal for cardinals, finches and other small birds. Another variety is called hulled sunflower seeds which are pretty much the same with black oil sunflower seeds with the exception of removed shells. Hulled wild bird seed are a bit expensive than those with intact shells.
Wild bird seed mixes are usually bought to save trouble from having to decide which bird seed to use
Nyjer or thistle seeds are favorites among goldfinches and doves. These seeds look like small rice grains and are usually imported from Africa and other Asian countries. However, the size of thistle seeds requires special feeders aptly called thistle bird feeders.
You can also use cracked corns for your wild bird feeder. It usually attracts jays, quails pheasants and bluebirds. You can buy it in kernels or you can shave off ordinary uncooked corn for bird feeding purposes.
Sometimes, people do not want to have a hard time with wild bird seed and opts to go with premium mixes. Essentially, these are just combination of different kinds of bird seeds and nuts. The disadvantage is that some seeds may be left uneaten after awhile.
In case that you already have your quota of wild bird seed, it is time to look for other regular bird foods. If you have a large bird feeder, you can place orange or apple slices to attract orioles while you can use mealworms to catch the attention of robins and thrushes. Sparrows and pigeons love millet and peanut kernels.
Suet is another common bird food. The primary ingredient of suet is animal fat which may either come from beef or mutton. Chickadees, woodpeckers, roadrunners and wrens love suet on top of other common bird seeds.
In case that you would like to see colorful humming birds, you need to have a particular type of feeder. Humming birds feed on nectar, fruits and other sugar water mixtures. Their long and thin beak does not allow them to pick seeds like other fowls.
Hopefully, this short discussion on wild bird seed and other common bird food will help you to decide which is best for your feeder. Remember what kind of birds are in your area and you will know what to choose next time. Now, you will have a more relaxed bird feeds shopping experience.
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