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Wild Bird Seed
Feeding the birds is a popular pastime, especially in winter when we're itching
for spring. Bringing different bird species into the yard helps us to enjoy
the outdoors without actually having to go out!
Oil Based Seeds and Ingredients
Typically these seeds are higher in protein and fat. Birds require protein for cell development and maintenance and fats for energy just like any other animal. During the winter months, this is especially important when they need energy to simply maintain body weight.
- Sunflower
Most popular oil seed. Virtually every bird and small animal loves the taste of these seeds. Black seeds offer higher fat content than striped. The shell of the black seed is thinner than the striped, and this allows the bird to crack it easily. Striped seed is generally less expensive.
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Safflower
White in colour. This seed is not popular with all birds, and is generally passed over by squirrels. Although generally more expensive, many people choose this seed because the feeder is not overrun with less desirable birds and animals. A favorite with Cardinals.
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Nyjer (Niger) (Thistle)
Derives from a variety of the thistle plant, it is a small black seed that grows in tropical areas such as India,
Indonesia and Africa. It is highly desired by smaller birds such as finches.
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Peanuts
A good source of vegetable protein and fat. Shelled peanuts and peanut hearts make a fine addition in a mix intended for birds that feed above ground. All peanuts are well liked by squirrels. Note: The peanut products we sell are unsalted, which are easier for birds to digest. They should not be fed roasted, salted peanuts for humans as the salt is unnatural for birds and increases their water consumption.
- Other oil seeds less often found in seed mixes include flax, hemp, poppy, pumpkin, rape, and sesame.
Grain Based Seeds and Ingredients
These seeds are much higher in carbohydrates and significantly lower in fat
and protein than oil based seeds. They're more popular with the larger
birds. Smaller birds need proportionally more fats and proteins in their
diet and will typically choose not to "fill up" on the high carb meal.
- Millet
We typically offer the white and red proso. Some birds love them.
It is easier to take the shell off this seed, and get to "the meat" than most other seeds.
- Milo
Usually red or white in color. Also known as Kafir corn. Grown in
Mid-West North America.
- Canary
From canary grass which grows in the prairies. Enjoyed by most small birds and platform feeders.
- Corn
A good source of protein and carbs for those birds that will eat it. Most popular with doves and pigeons.
- Other cereal grains less often found in seed mixes include buckwheat, oats and wheat.
The Wild Bird Diet
PET VALU stores offer several different blends of bird seed to cater to different needs of birds and customers. Look for blends for specific birds (Finch Feed), specific feeders (Platform or Perch) and many others.
A diet of all seeds may be less-than-healthy for your domestic birds, as seeds are high in fat, but it's less of a worry for wild birds. With bird feeders and seed mixes we are simply supplementing the wild bird's diet. They have other diet options such as worms and insects which combined with the seeds we offer, are part of a well balanced diet.
Many people feed bread to birds - certainly to ducks and geese - but bread is low in protein and contains salt which is not good for birds. If birds eat too much bread they could subsequently eat less protein and create an unbalanced diet for themselves. It's best to avoid feeding bread, or any other processed 'human' foods, to birds.
Better still, you can give suet to wild birds, even in the summer.
Suet is often given to the birds only in the winter months; out of fear it will melt in the summer.
PET VALU stores sell suet that has been rendered and is therefore more stable than suet from a
local butcher. It's best to keep suet out of direct sunlight and put out smaller amounts at
a time, but it's still viable in summer.
Wild Bird Feeding Preferences
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| FEEDER |
APPROPRIATE SEED/FEED |
BIRDS ATTRACTED |
| Suet Feeders |
rendered beef fat (suet)
nutmeats
seeds
fruit
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Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker |
| Platform Feeders |
white proso millet
red proso millet
black oil sunflower seed
peanut kernels
canary seed
black-striped sunflower seed |
Common Grackle
Sparrows (House, Song, White-throated and Chipping Sparrows)
Mourning Dove
Eastern Towhee
Brown-headed Cowbird
Dark-eyed Junco
Common Redpoll
Northern Cardinal
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Hopper (Perch) Feeders
Tube (Perch) Feeders |
peanut kernels
black oil sunflower seed
black-striped sunflower seed |
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Tufted Titmouse
Black-capped Chickadee
Starling
Purple Finch
Evening Grosbeak
Blue Jay
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Tube (Finch) Feeders
Tube (Perch) Feeders |
sunflower chips
thistle (nyger) seed
white proso millet
canary seed
Finch mix
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House Finch
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
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Nectar Feeder
(Hummingbird) |
sucrose
dextrose
(mix with 2 parts water to first attract then 4 parts water for ongoing feeding)
concentrated Hummingbird nectar (mixed according to package)
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Ruby-throated Hummingbird
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| Nectar Feeder (Oriole) |
sucrose
dextrose
(mix with 3 parts water to attract then 4-6 parts water for ongoing feeding)
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Baltimore Oriole
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