Most birds will eat a variety of different seeds. I would look for a variety mix or buy a variety bag and mix that with sunflower. Black oil and striped sunflower seeds (these are most popular!), white promo millet, cracked corn, nyjer (thistle), safflower, peanuts, etc. are among the best seeds to feed wild birds. The pigeons and doves will especially like the cracked corn, parrots will love the sunflower seeds (you can also buy special mixes for parrots). Some birds also like live mealworms. Suet is great for woodpeckers; and some birds (e.g., thrushes) will come for fresh fruit (cut an orange in half and stake it out on a stick or pole) and jelly.
Note that Bananaquits will come for nectar (sugar water), along with hummingbirds, orioles and even warblers, so be sure to put out a nectar feeder. You can make your own nectar but be sure to clean your nectar feeder and replace the nectar every few days. I’m attaching nectar recipe.
Great instructions for making your own feeders here.
Good luck and let us know how you do with your bird feeding!
Hi there
Our local is dorado Pr.
What feed and feeders should be used. We have parrots, banaquits, pidgeons and grackles, some hummingbirds. Owls.
Summers are hot with some rain. We would need a pole type as the palms are too high.
Hello Rosemary,
I replied by email as well.
Most birds will eat a variety of different seeds. I would look for a variety mix or buy a variety bag and mix that with sunflower. Black oil and striped sunflower seeds (these are most popular!), white promo millet, cracked corn, nyjer (thistle), safflower, peanuts, etc. are among the best seeds to feed wild birds. The pigeons and doves will especially like the cracked corn, parrots will love the sunflower seeds (you can also buy special mixes for parrots). Some birds also like live mealworms. Suet is great for woodpeckers; and some birds (e.g., thrushes) will come for fresh fruit (cut an orange in half and stake it out on a stick or pole) and jelly.
Note that Bananaquits will come for nectar (sugar water), along with hummingbirds, orioles and even warblers, so be sure to put out a nectar feeder. You can make your own nectar but be sure to clean your nectar feeder and replace the nectar every few days. I’m attaching nectar recipe.
Great instructions for making your own feeders here.
Good luck and let us know how you do with your bird feeding!
All the best,
– Lisa
p.s. A couple of helpful links: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/types-of-bird-seed-a-quick-guide/
https://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/bwdsite/learn/feeding/gourmet-or-bargain-seed-which-is-best-for-the-birds.php