Safflower Seed
Have you ever considered using safflower seed in your bird
feeders. If you are having problems with squirrels and grackles,
you may want to give it a try.
These seeds are small, white and loaded with fat and protein. Many
backyard birds can be attracted using this wild bird food - including Northern
Cardinals, Chickadees, House Finches, Mourning Doves, some Woodpeckers,
Tufted Titmice and White-breasted Nuthatches.
It has been reported that squirrels often ignore this birdseed.
However, squirrels have been known to eat them on occasion. So the
assumption that squirrels won't eat these seeds is not always true. But
when offered a choice, squirrels seem to avoid these seeds and
their bitter taste. It has also been found that blackbirds and
grackles typically do not like the taste of these seeds.
If you have been using black-oil sunflower seeds in your feeders, it is
best to make a gradual change to this new bird food. Since they look
and taste different from other birdseed, it may take your birds some
time to adjust. Mix them with your black-oil sunflower seeds over
time.
Add more and more until you are offering only the new seed.
This seed is usually found in bulk at some feed stores and online
birdseed stores. You can offer it in any feeder that dispenses
sunflower seeds or scatter it on the ground to attract Northern
Cardinals (who aren't much for perching on tube feeders).
This seed is also found in many of the quality wild birdseed mixes
available on the market today. If you check the list of ingredients on
a bag of mixed seed advertised as Cardinal seed, you will find that
safflower seed is a main ingredient.
So if you have never tried safflower seeds, you may be pleased
with the additional birds that are attracted to your yard.
Choose
the best bird feeder for safflower seed learn more here.
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