Wagner's 76025 Four Season Black Oil Sunflower Seed Wild Bird Food, 10-Pound Bag

 Wagner's 76025 Four Season Black Oil Sunflower Seed Wild Bird Food, 10-Pound Bag

•  Attracts the widest variety of birds
• Thin shelled sunflower - makes it easy for small beaked birds to open
• This seed has the high energy content that all birds need to maintain their healthy lifestyle
• Highest quality grains used
• Made in the USA 

7 types of seeds for birds: characteristics and properties

Seeds are the most common food for birds, but you should know that they are not all the same, so it is very important to know how to choose them wisely. And is that each type of bird prefers a different type of seed. For example, while cardinals tend to like black-shelled sunflower seeds better, finches prefer shelled and thistles. And birds that feed on the ground, such as pigeons, sparrows, scratchers, and reeds like millet seeds best. Next, we explain which are the most common bird seeds and what properties each of them have.

1. Canary seed seeds

Canary grass is an oval seed, bright yellow in color and with a pointed shape . They are usually consumed by the same species of bird that include millet in their usual diet, which in addition to serving as food, serves as entertainment . They have a high starch content and have very little fat, so it is advisable to mix them with others that have a higher proportion of fat.

2. Millet seeds

Millet is a rounded seed that is essential in the diet of inseparable birds and parakeets . In contrast, large parrots tend to despise and ignore this type of bird seed, with the exception of the Eclectus. In the case of the birds that are raising, the best choice is the panizo, since being softer, it can be digested more easily by the chicks.

3. Sunflower seeds

It is a white seed with black stripes, oval in shape and flattened in appearance . We can find them white, listed and black. The preferred ones by the parrots are the white ones, but the granivores prefer the small striped ones. Although most birds like them very much, they should never be the only food in the diet . Also, salty foods should never be provided for human consumption, but purchased from a specialized bird food store . Remember to always choose large ones, since there are many birds that do not even make the effort to open the small ones, which means that a large part of the amount we buy will not be used by our birds.

4. Hemp seeds

The best hemp seed is the greyish-bronze one with a slight hint of green . The grain is white and has a flavor very similar to that of walnuts. A very strong seed that can be crushed to make it easier for birds to eat them. In small quantities it is one of the most valuable foods for canaries , since they are rich in oils and vitamin E. In addition, it greatly improves the condition for their reproduction. With which, if you want to breed, it is advisable to supply a teaspoon for each one a day.

5. Flax seeds

Flax seeds are dark in color and flat in shape . Very good for brightening plumage . In fact, during the molt, it is necessary to increase the ration. In addition, in small doses it helps to improve digestion.

6. Poppy seeds

Red poppy produces very small blue-gray kidney-shaped birdseeds. But the white ones give rise to a cream-colored seed that is preferred by most birds, especially by small granivores. However, it is necessary to avoid supplying it in excess, since it favors the retention of liquids and makes the stools are much more liquid.

7. Oat seeds

The oat seed is yellow in color and can be found in whole or broken seed bags, and can be supplied to our birds dry or soaked . An ideal food for canaries that are breeding, since oats are an easy to digest seed that can be easily disposed of. In addition, they help to stimulate the metabolism.

Food to attract birds to the garden or balcony

We have already spoken on several occasions about the importance of biodiversity in the garden on other occasions, in the case of birds, it is easy to turn a simple garden or balcony into a cozy space for them, making life easier for them in urban environments and incidentally benefiting from its presence for the control of pests of our ornamental plants and crops. If you want to discover the benefits of attracting birds to your garden, check this post.

The subject of food is essential to accustom the birds to visit our garden, to help the birds survive in periods of unfavorable weather and are in good reproductive conditions in spring- Here are some ideas of simple meals according to the birds that we want Attract:

Fresh or dried fruit

The fruit is highly prized by birds, especially among thrushes and blackcap. Pieces of apple or pears, even very ripe, strung on a wire and hanging from a branch will attract many birds. They will also appreciate half a coconut hanging upside down.
The most appropriate feeders for this type of food are those of the “click and hang” methodology, like the one shown below.

Seeds
It is very common to find seed mixtures to feed the birds, although it is important to control the quality. Some examples of seeds are:

• Pipes: adored by parrots, excellent hunters of mosquitoes and other invertebrates, it is interesting to have them around.
• Millet: The favorite of sparrows, accents, greenfinches, bunting and turtledoves
• Corn: For blackbirds and accentors
• Thistle seeds: their high oil content makes them quickly devoured.
• The feeders for this type of food are shown in different formats. It is important to be able to hang it from branches where they are protected from predators (such as cats).

Bread
It is eaten by many species. Opting for the integral one is the best option, since we will also provide them with an extra seed.
Important: Moisten the bread before feeding it to the birds so that it does not swell in their stomachs.

Grated cheese
If you want to attract robins to the garden (which, by the way, usually accompany their snack with a second plate of flies and mosquitoes), the grated cheese does not fail. Robins like to eat on the ground, a small plate in a visible place and away from predators.

Tallow
The tallow cakes are a very nutritious and attractive food for birds, especially during autumn and winter, but a good supplement all year round. Chickadees and titmouses, woodpecker, nuthatch, warblers, redstart, etc. will approach.

You can buy them already made and make them yourself, here you have a simple recipe to make them.

Leftovers
Boiled eggs, cooked rice (the best wholegrain, but they won't turn down a good bowl of white rice either), stale cookie scraps, and salads.

What not to feed them

• Very salty food: popcorn, for example.
• Very spicy food