Bird Seed - You Get What You Pay For!

Like most things in life, you get what you pay for.  When looking for seed to fill your bird feeders, it is vital that you resist the urge to grab that "box store" special. You know the one that advertises the 20lb. bag of bird seed for next to nothing. That's because there is next to nothing of value in the bag.

GOOD QUALITY MIX

           

A quality mix of wild bird seed will contain a high concentration of black oil sunflower, like the mix shown above.  It is even better if it contains safflower, peanuts and dried fruit.  You will attract your favorite species, including cardinals, chickadees, nuthatches and much more.

POOR QUALITY MIX

If you bring home that bag of "bargain brand" seed, you will most likely find it contains a mix that looks much like the one above.  There are very few black oil sunflowers seeds, but an abundance of millet (white), milo (red) and cracked corn. Generally what happens with these mixes, is that the desired birds will kick out the fillers (millet, milo and corn) in search of the elusive black oil sunflower.  In the process, the ground beneath your feeder is covered with seed/corn that attracts undesirable ground feeders, including house sparrows, grackles and starlings.

In the end, the money you save results in a substantial amount of seed waste. The quality of the birds attracted is directly related to the quality of seed placed in the feeder.  Don't sell yourself short...spend the extra money, and the results will amaze you!  

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