Black Oil Sunflower
Almost all birds and
squirrels enjoy this popular seed. The sunflower meat provides high caloric
energy. The shell is small and soft and is easily cracked by almost all birds.
It can be placed in all feeders except nyjer feeders.
Striped Sunflower
Because this sunflower is
larger than the black oil sunflower, not all birds can crack the shell to get
to the meat. Birds that have a larger conical bill such as the Cardinal and
Grosbeak can crush the shell. Birds such as Woodpeckers, the Blue Jay and White
Breasted Nuthatch will peck through the shell. It is best used in a hopper or
platform feeder.
Sunflower Meats
Sometimes
referred to as sunflower chips, it is basically the black oil sunflower without
the shell. All birds can eat this because there is no shell to penetrate. Some
birds do however, by instinct, prefer to crack a shell. Sunflower meats can be
placed in any feeder, but if they get wet, they can become packed almost like
lard. It is best to place meats in a tubular or hopper feeder that is more
protected from the weather. People use these meats in feeders placed over a
deck, flowerbed or garden area where they do not want to clean up shells that
fall to the ground. This seed will not germinate.
Safflower
Fed by itself, it will deter fox squirrels and Grackles because they do not
like safflower. House Finch, Doves, Cardinals, and a variety of other birds
such as Nuthatch and Chickadees enjoy safflower.
Safflower / Sunflower Mix
Our initial “original
blend” consisting of black oil sunflower, striped sunflower, and safflower.
It is our number one seller. It can be placed in any feeder and attracts birds
such as Cardinals, House Finch, Chickadees, Nuthatch, Woodpeckers, Grosbeak,
Tufted Titmice, and Doves. Fewer Sparrows will be attracted because there is no
millet in the mix.
Elite Mix
A premium blend of very desirable seeds
including black oil sunflower, striped sunflower, sunflower meats, safflower,
peanuts, cracked corn, and millet. Cheap fillers, such as milo and wheat, are not
used because these seeds are pecked out of the feeders and wasted. The greatest
portion of this mix is sunflower, but we do also include a small percentage of
millet and cracked corn to help feed ground feeders such as Sparrows, Doves, and
Juncos. This is our most versatile seed and our second most popular seller. It is
enjoyed by all birds and can be placed in a tube, hopper, or platform feeder.
No Mess Mix
This is a new blend of sunflower meats,
hulled millet (which does not germinate like regular millet), peanuts, and tree
nuts. You can use this seed in any feeder but sometimes the larger nuts get stuck
in tube feeders and must be broken up. You need to keep this seed as dry as
possible because there are no shells to protect the seeds from moisture. The
benefit of using this mix is that it attracts all birds, eliminates shell clean
up, and will not germinate if seeds fall to the ground.
Backyard Gourmet Mix
This is a deluxe blend that consists of black
oil sunflower, striped sunflower, sunflower meats, and tree nuts. Your woodland
birds such as Cardinals, Blue Jays, Woodpeckers, Nuthatch, Tufted Titmice, and
Chickadees will flock to your feeders for seconds.
Cracked Corn
You usually find a high percentage of cracked
corn in cheaper seed mixtures because it is less expensive. It does tend to
attract many Sparrows and Grackles. Other birds will eat cracked corn but it is
not their preference. Many people will feed cracked corn to waterfowl such as
Canada Geese and Mallards.
Millet
This is a very small grain that is used
in many mixes. Many birds peck this seed out of feeders onto the ground. Birds
such as Sparrows, Doves, and Dark Eyed Juncos will then take the opportunity to
dig in. Millet will easily germinate.
Nyjer (Thistle)
This is a small black seed, which is
placed in special feeders with small holes from which the American Goldfinch,
House Finch, and Pine Siskin feed. Doves eat nyjer off of the ground.
Peanuts and Peanuts in Shell
Placing
unsalted peanuts in special peanut feeders or in
a platform feeder will cause Blue Jays, Nuthatch, Chickadee, Titmice, and
Woodpeckers to fly to your feeders immediately if they are in the area.
They’re nuts about nuts!
Critter Mix
This mixture was originally formulated to
attract squirrels, but Blue Jays love it too. It contains black oil sunflower,
striped sunflower, kernel corn, and peanuts.
