Millet, a small, round seed, is a common component in bird feeding. Its appeal to various bird species stems from its manageable size, making it accessible even to birds with small beaks. Beyond its accessibility, millet offers nutritional value, providing carbohydrates, protein, magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium, which contribute to a bird’s overall health and energy. This makes millet a consistent inclusion in commercially available birdseed mixes, used to attract birds to backyards.
Birds Attracted to Millet
Many bird species prefer millet, especially ground-feeding birds and those with smaller beaks. Sparrows, including House, Song, White-throated, Chipping, American Tree, and White-crowned Sparrows, are frequent consumers. These birds often forage on the ground, where millet is easily accessible. Finches, such as Dark-eyed Juncos, Eastern Towhees, and Indigo Buntings, also readily eat millet.
Doves, like the Mourning Dove, are drawn to millet, often feeding from the ground. Quail, being ground-dwelling birds, find millet appealing for similar reasons. The thin hull of millet seeds makes them easier to crack open and consume compared to seeds with thicker shells. This accessibility, combined with the seed’s nutritional content, makes millet a favored food source for smaller bird species and ground foragers.
Optimizing Millet for Bird Feeding
When offering millet, selecting the right type and presentation can enhance its appeal to birds. White proso millet is generally the most preferred variety due to its slightly sweet taste and higher protein content, making it a better choice than red millet. Spray millet, left on the stalk, can also be offered as a treat, providing a natural foraging experience and mental stimulation. While red millet is available, many birds tend to ignore it, and it can act as a filler in mixes.
Millet is best offered in feeder types that cater to ground-feeding birds. Tray feeders, platform feeders, or scattering it directly on the ground are effective methods. These open feeding styles allow birds to access the seeds comfortably. Placing feeders near cover, such as shrubs or brush piles, makes birds feel more secure. Ensuring good drainage in tray or platform feeders is important to prevent the millet from getting wet, which can lead to germination, bacterial, or fungal growth.
Supporting a Diverse Bird Diet
While millet is a popular and beneficial food, providing a diverse diet is important for the overall health of backyard birds and to attract a wider array of species. A varied food source helps ensure birds receive a complete range of macronutrients like proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, as well as essential micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals. Different bird species have unique dietary needs, and offering a variety of foods can cater to these specific requirements.
Other common bird food types can complement millet and broaden the appeal of a feeding station. Black oil sunflower seeds are high in fat and protein, making them an excellent energy source for many birds. Nyjer seeds, small and rich in oil, are particularly attractive to finches, while suet provides concentrated fats and proteins, especially beneficial during colder months. Offering a mix of foods, including peanuts, mealworms, and even occasional fruit or nectar for specific species, creates a more robust and appealing environment for a thriving bird population.