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Bird Seed BlendsAll bird seed is not the same. The seed available in big box stores like Walmart and Kroger may seem cheaper, but in truth they are much more costly. You see, the stuff they carry is loaded with fillers such as:
They even contain stuff like:
Bird don't eat that garbage! These fillers are added as a cheap way to up the weight on the seed while reducing the actual amount of bird seed in the blend. Research has shown some blends to have as much as 80% filler!! The only thing you'll attract with this food are junk birds like English Sparrows and grackles. They'll kick it all around to get at the few pieces they actually like. Then the mammals will come in and clean up the mess on the ground. Do you want to feed mammals or birds? To attract birds like the cardinal, titmouse, junco, and grosbeak, you'll need to invest in a high quality seed. Check the ingredients to be sure there is no wheat, milo, oats or barley. Quality blends contain NO filler. Remember, like people, birds have preferences, and blends grant birds the opportunity to eat the seed what they most like. For instance, a Nuthatch will gladly eat black oil sunflower seed, but he prefers peanuts. A blend with both these ingredients is most appealing to him. In the end, by purchasing high quality seed, you're actually getting what you pay for--bird seed! And you'll reap the benefitsby the variety of birds that choose to patron your feeder station. Enough about what the birds won't eat. Let's talk about what they will eat. Of course, there are simple seeds you can buy to feed your birds, but the purpose of this article is to discuss some high end, commercially available blends.
For a discussion about the different bird seeds,
click here.
Choice bird seed is a favorite of:
Why do these bird like this blend so much? Because it contains a fair proportion of peanuts. It also has a variety of seeds including:
Deluxe bird seed blend is designed to feed birds both at the feeder and on the ground.. Birds eating at an elevated level devour the large seeds in this blend while beak-sweeping and kicking the smaller white millet to the ground where ground feeding birds eat it. The blend contains:
Here's a partial list of what is particulary attracted to this blend:
Cardinal bird seed blend is a combination of Black Oil Sunflower seed and Safflower. These are favorites of the cardinal which make this blend ideal for feeding them. Place it in a hopper or at the ground. Cardinals love this blend!! Supreme bird seed blend is my favorite. This blend is full of:
This blend is designed to attract the widest variety of birds, particularly those that prefer to eat at an elevated level. This seed is the best all round blend for bird feeding and is sure to delight the most discriminating back yard bird watcher! There is no bird out there that doesn't eat Supreme, and the variety of seeds in the blend means birds can get at their favorite seed. No-Mess bird seed blend is designed for those who do not want the mess that forms beneath your feeders (husks and such). This blend contains:
This combination of ingredients is ideal for those who want to feed the birds without the mess. This blend will attract a ton of birds, but because of the peanuts, squirrels tend to also love this blend. Woodpecker bird seed blend is a great alternative to suet for your woodpeckers. This blend contains:
This is the perfect gourmet meal for all Woodpeckers! This is a favorite of mine to feed year round. In the right feeder, it can be quite successful. Wildlife blend, often called squirrel blend, is something you can put out for the squirrels. It's full of:
I love this blend in a tray for the squirrels, though I do find that I have to ration it a bit. Blue Jays tend to come in and compete with the squirrels for the peanuts in the shell. Click here to go FROM bird seed blends TO bird seed.
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