By Kaytee, Inc.

You can attract colorful birds all year long by establishing bird feeding areas in your yard. Provide two or more feeders at different heights to allow several types of birds to feed at the same time. Below are some popular seeds you can add to your backyard feeders and examples of birds they attract:

Black Oil Sunflower

Black oil sunflower is the most popular seed among a wide range of birds. Both small and large birds can easily manipulate and open its thin shell. It is high in energy and a good source of protein.

Example of birds attracted: Cardinals, Nuthatches, Finches, Grosbeaks, Pine Siskins, Goldfinches, Juncos, and Chickadees

Striped Sunflower

Striped sunflower is a high oil content food that is appealing to larger birds because of its size and hard shell.

Example of birds attracted: Blue Jays, Woodpeckers, Grosbeaks, Titmice, and Cardinals

Sunflower Hearts & Chips

Sunflower hearts and chips will attract a wide variety of birds. These shelled sunflower seeds are a good source of protein and are high in oil. This highly nutritious food leaves no seed hulls under the feeder.

Example of birds attracted: Juncos, Finches, Cardinals, Grosbeaks, Nuthatches, Towhees, Tufted Titmice, Woodpeckers, and Chickadees

Thistle Seed

Thistle seed is considered the premier seed for attracting many varieties of finches and small songbirds. This small seed is rich in oil and protein and is high in nutrition.

Example of birds attracted: Goldfinches, Purple Finches, Redpolls, Pine Siskins, and Indigo Buntings

Millett

Millet is a good source of starch, vitamins and minerals, and generally the preferred food of birds that favor smaller seeds.

Example of birds attracted: Juncos, Towhees, Buntings, Sparrows, Morning Doves, Chickadees, Cardinals, and Pine Siskins

Cracked Corn

Cracked corn is a good source of oil and starch and is an especially valuable food to feed during the winter. It's readily consumed by a variety of popular birds. It can also be used to attract small animals to the feeding area.

Example of birds attracted: Blue Birds, Morning Doves, Juncos, Indigo Buntings, Bobwhites, Cardinals, Grosbeaks, Nuthatches, Towhees, Sparrows and Woodpeckers

Safflower Seed

Safflower seed has a high oil content that is very desirable to cardinals. Because of its bitter taste, squirrels will not eat it.

Example of birds attracted: Cardinals, Chickadees, Brown Thrashers, Nuthatches and Evening Grosbeaks

Peanuts

Peanuts are a very good source of fat and protein. They can be offered either whole or shelled.

Example of birds attracted: Blue Jays, Titmice, Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, Chickadees, Blue Birds, Kinglets, Mocking Birds, Indigo Buntings, Juncos, Warblers, and Towhees

Information supplied by Kaytee, Inc., of Chilton, Wisconsin. The Kaytee Avian Foundation is dedicated to enhancing people's knowledge and enjoyment of birds through education, conservation and research.