Achieving a high volume and diversity of avian visitors at a backyard feeder depends entirely on the food offered. Birds are highly efficient foragers, prioritizing food sources that deliver the greatest return on energy investment. Not all bird seeds are equivalent in nutritional value or universal appeal, meaning careful selection is the most effective way to maximize bird traffic and the variety of species that frequent a feeding station.
The Undisputed Top Choice
The single seed that attracts the broadest spectrum of wild birds is Black Oil Sunflower Seed (BOSS). This dominance is due to a combination of high nutritional value and physical accessibility for most seed-eating species. BOSS kernels possess a high oil content, sometimes reaching 40%, which translates into a concentrated source of fat and calories birds need for energy, especially during cold weather or breeding seasons.
Compared to the larger, striped sunflower seed, the hull of BOSS is significantly thinner and easier to crack. This physical characteristic allows even small songbirds, such as chickadees, finches, and titmice, to access the nutrient-dense kernel without expending excessive effort. Cardinals, jays, grosbeaks, and woodpeckers are also highly attracted to this seed, making it a universal staple for a wide range of backyard birds.
Specialty Seeds for Attracting Specific Bird Types
While Black Oil Sunflower Seed is a general favorite, specialized seeds are used to target specific species and increase the overall diversity of visitors. The tiny, black, needle-like seeds known as Nyjer, often mistakenly called thistle, are a primary food source for smaller finches, including American Goldfinches, Pine Siskins, and House Finches. These small birds are uniquely adapted to extract the oil-rich Nyjer seed, which often requires a dedicated feeder design.
Safflower seed serves a dual purpose: it is highly favored by certain larger-billed birds while simultaneously discouraging unwanted visitors. Cardinals, grosbeaks, and doves readily consume safflower, which has a thick, bitter shell that is generally unappealing to house sparrows, European starlings, and squirrels. Peanuts and suet cakes offer a high-fat, high-protein alternative that is particularly attractive to cavity-nesting birds. Woodpeckers, nuthatches, and jays regularly seek out whole or shelled peanuts and suet, which provide the concentrated energy necessary for their active foraging styles.
Identifying and Avoiding Common Seed Fillers
To maximize the efficiency of bird feeding and minimize waste, it is important to avoid common, low-cost “filler” ingredients found in many inexpensive birdseed mixes. These fillers are often included simply to bulk up the product’s weight and lower the retail price.
- Milo (sorghum)
- Red millet
- Oats
- Wheat
- Cracked corn
Most desirable songbirds will actively reject these seeds, kicking them out of the feeder in search of more palatable options like sunflower.
This selective feeding behavior results in a pile of uneaten seeds accumulating on the ground beneath the feeder, which can lead to waste, mold growth, or the attraction of rodents. Milo is the most common filler and is largely ignored by most backyard birds east of the Rocky Mountains. Purchasing straight seed varieties, or mixes where Black Oil Sunflower Seed is the primary ingredient, ensures that virtually all the product is consumed, making it a more cost-effective choice despite a higher initial price per pound.
How Feeder Design Influences Bird Attraction
The type of feeder selected must physically accommodate the chosen seed and the feeding style of the target bird species. Seeds like Black Oil Sunflower are versatile and can be dispensed in most styles, including tube, hopper, and platform feeders. Tube feeders with small ports are ideal for smaller seeds and small-bodied birds like finches and chickadees, which can cling easily to the perches.
Conversely, ground-feeding birds, such as doves and juncos, are best served by platform or tray feeders, which offer an open, flat surface where they can feed comfortably. Specialized feeds require dedicated designs, such as fine-mesh tube feeders or “thistle socks” for Nyjer seed, which prevents the tiny seeds from spilling out. Suet must be offered in a vinyl-coated wire cage, allowing woodpeckers and nuthatches to cling vertically while protecting the suet from larger birds.