These are some of the most widely used seeds for feeding birds. Inexpensive mixes found at many grocery stores and other locations often include a large percentage of millet and milo, two seeds best served on the ground or low platform feeders.
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Most Common Bird Seeds
Black Oil Sunflower
Black oil sunflower is the best all around choice. It attracts a wide variety of species, including:
- Cardinals
- Chickadees and titmice
- Nuthatches
- Purple and House Finch
- Grosbeaks
Sunflower chips
Sunflower chips might come from black oil or striped sunflower. Popular with the same species that like black oil sunflower.Some prefer to offer sunflower chips so there are no hulls to fall to the ground under feeders and no problems with seed germination.
Millet or Red Millet
Found in many seed mixes. Best feed on the ground. Popular with:
- Sparrows
- Doves
- Towhees
Milo or Red Milo
Often found in seed mixes. Best served on the ground. May attract:
- Doves
- Quail
- Jays
White Millet or White Proso Millet
Found in mixes or sold separately. Popular with:
- Sparrows
- Doves
- Buntings
Cracked corn
Found in mixes or sold separately. Popular with:
- Jays
- Doves
- Juncos
- Blackbirds
- Sparrows
- Towhees
Peanuts
Found in mixes. Sold separately as chips and halves or whole peanuts. Popular with:
- Jays
- Nuthatches
- Titmice
- Chickadees
- Woodpeckers
- Cardinals
Nyjer®
Nyjer is a small, imported seed popular with goldfinches and siskins.Sometimes called thistle, it is not the same as the common thistle plant found in the United States.Nyjer® is a trade marked name of the Wild Bird Feeding Industry.
Safflower
Safflower is more expensive than many feed types. It tends to be ignored by squirrels, so if squirrels are a big problem, feeding safflower is one option.Attracts:
- Cardinals (for which it is most famous)
- Grosbeaks
- Woodpeckers