Bird Seeds Suet Squirrel Feed BIRD FEED FACTS We currently sell suet, bird seeds, and squirrel feeds. However, before jumping to those store categories may we suggest a review of bird seed facts vs. fiction. A landmark study conducted by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service shed new light on bird feeding practices throughout the United States. The study rated the multitude of bird feeds available and ranked them in accordance with desirability to birds. Please note that this study did not include an evaluation of suet products, important to many species as a source of fat in their diets. A Bird’s World strives to bring you information based on independent scientific studies such as these. A synopsis of the findings of this study is as follows: Feed preferences were relatively consistent throughout various geographic locations in the United States. By and large what a bird likes to eat in Baltimore, his counterparts will eat in Seattle. Sunflower seeds and White Proso Millet (WPM) were the most generally preferred feeds for virtually all species. Oil-type sunflower seeds were the most preferred of any sunflower variety overall, though there were specie specific preferences within the sunflower category. The type of feeder utilized has an impact on the frequency of feeding activity (please see our feeder section). Commonly sold seeds such as milo, cracked corn, and wheat are less appealing to wild birds; this was true for buckwheat, flax, most millets, canary seed, oats, rice, safflower, sorghum, thistle and wheat. Offering either black oil sunflower or White Proso Millet separately is more effective than most general commercial mixtures. While the cost of using commercial mixes is initially lower (eaten less frequently, and addition of bulk amounts of less expensive seed within the mixture) it is less effective and therefore not quite the bargain most people perceive. We carry a full line of Sun Country Farms bird seed products which adhere to the high quality standards established by this study. Bottom Line: Avoid all but proven mixed products, normally sold commercially as premium and value product lines. Purchase oil-type sunflower seeds and white proso millet and present them separately in different feeder styles (see our feeder section). The birds feeding on WPM prefer ground or large platform feeders, while oil-type sunflower feeders prefer an elevated feeder with small perching areas, such as that found in tubular feeders. The good news is that following these recommendations saves you money, provides the birds what they really need to flourish, and attracts the greatest variety of species to your backyard.   SEED VARIETY SUMMARY: Buckwheat: Mourning doves exhibited limited interest, finding it only one-fourth as attractive as WPM. Canary Seed: More expensive and less attractive than White Proso Millet for those species that would consume it. Cracked corn: “Fine cracked corn” is much better than the course variety, however not as effective as WPM and BSS (Black Stiped Sunflower Seeds). Also, this feed has a tendency to mold and merge in feeders. Flax: Substantially less attractive than the WPM and BSS. German (Golden) Millet: Although an attractive food to small sparrow-like birds and mourning doves, less attractive than WPM. Red Proso Millet: Different variety of WPM, though less attractive overall. White Proso Millet: Rated most attractive for those species illustrating a preference: mourning doves, house sparrows, brown-headed cowbirds, white-crowned sparrows, white-throated sparrows and song sparrows. Only hulled sunflower kernels and pieces were preferred over WPM by white-crowned and white-throated sparrows. Oats: Whole or hulled, there is limited interest in this feed. Prone to insect infestation and the chosen food of starlings. Peanuts: Peanut hearts illustrate little value as food, with the exception of starlings. However, peanut kernels are preferred by blue jays, scrub jays and tufted titmice to even BSS. Keep in mind these species will also consume BSS (saving you money over the cost of Peanut kernels). Rape Seed: Though occasionally found in "premium" mixtures, and a primary ingredient to domestic canary food, wild birds could care less. Save your money. Rice: Unattractive to all species of wild birds. Safflower: If you are looking to attract cardinals while discouraging most other species this is what you should use. Otherwise, stick to BSS and WPM. Milo or Sorghum: Milo is an unattractive food to all species, despite the fact that it is found in many commercial mixes. Sorghum is now produced as a “bird resistant” strain to stop crop destruction, they’ve done a good job- the birds don’t like it. Black striped sunflower seeds: BSS is very effective as a bird feed. The crop is screened so that larger seeds are sold for human consumption, birds prefer the smaller variety. Eller: a small form of BSS. Cardinals, purple finches, house finches, house sparrows and white-throated sparrows all showed a preference for Eller over the regular BSS, while blue jays, scrub jays and tufted titmice preferred the larger BSS. Large Black Striped Sunflower Seeds: Jays and tufted titmice were the only species that preferred this large seed (obtained by screening). Gray Striped Sunflower Seeds: Although this large sunflower seed is visually appealing to people, very few birds preferred it. More expensive, it is inferior substitute for BSS. Hulled Sunflower Pieces and Sunflower Kernels: Whole or broken kernels of hulled sunflowers were very attractive to American goldfinches and house finches. Less mess, since they are hull-less. Oil-type Sunflower Seeds: We have a winner! This is the number one preferred food by most species that will visit your feeder. Smaller than BSS even small seed eating birds enjoy it. American Goldfinches preferred it to thistle. It’s less expensive than BSS; lasts longer in feeders since it there are 2-4 times as many seeds in a bag. Less expensive, overall favorite. Nyjer (Thistle): With the exception of goldfinches, mourning doves and house finches, this seed is generally unattractive to all other species. Tubular feeders are best if your intent is to attract finches. Based on the information available in studies, you could also buy the small oil type sunflower seeds and save money, many of the tubular feeders allow you to offer both types of seed. We offer a proprietary blend known as Finch Feast which will save you money and attracts the greatest variety of birds based on this information. Wheat: Commonly included in commercial mixes, its value is suspect, unless your intent is to attract only mourning doves and discourage all other species. The doves prefer WPM by the way. Sources: Relative Attractiveness of Different Foods at Wild Bird Feeders., U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Special, Scientific Report No. 233. 11 pp. Geis, Aelred D. 1980. Wild Bird Feeding, Preferences. National Wildlife Federation, Wash., D.C. 6 pp. Reeves, Henry M., Aelred D. Geis and F. Charles Kniffen. 1968. Geis, Aelred D. and Donald B. Hyde, Jr. 1983. Mourning Dove Capture and Banding., U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Special Scientific Report No. 117. 63 pp. Anonymous. 1982. 1980 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Reaction. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service., 156 pp.