As hosts, we love when guests enjoy our home and have a good time and a great dinner. Perhaps that's why bird feeding is one of top hobbies in America. Feeding birds is like entertaining guests, only better. Birds are pretty, never complain and can make beautiful songs.
Autumn is a good time to start birdfeeding, so prepare now with one of these useful products or one that's more eco-friendly. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, more than 55 million Americans spend upward of $3 billion a year on birdseed. If we are spending that much on our feathered friends, let's make sure we are doing it right. Try these seeds for attracting Georgia birds to your feeder.
Sunflower seed
Sunflower seeds are a favorite of most seed-eating birds. According to Terry Johnson with the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division, around 40 species of birds love sunflower seeds. "One of the neat things about sunflower seeds is that even the birds that can't break open the tough coat can eat sunflower seeds," Johnson said. Sunflower seeds are great for urban area Atlanta residents as they do not attract the more common city birds like pigeons, sparrows or starlings. City birds tend to ravage the feeders and leave nothing for the more colorful songbirds.
Thistle seed
Nyjer or thistle is a great seed for attracting goldfinches, a popular Georgia songbird. You will need a special feeder called a thistle feeder for this seed.
Cracked corn
For country folks, cracked corn will attract a variety of game birds, eastern blue birds and even some deer.
Black oil sunflower seeds
Black oil sunflower seeds are the filet mignon of bird seed. The oil in the seeds help to give birds energy, while the thin shell makes it easier to eat. With this seed you can attract cardinals, nuthatches, finches, and many others.
White proso millet seed
This seed will attract mourning doves, dark-eyed juncos, eastern towhees and quail. Combining the white proso millet and black oil sunflower seeds will attract more birds than any other you can offer, explains Johnson.
Other things to know
Elaine Cole from Cole's Wild Bird Products warns "not all birdseed is created equal."
"Look for blends without cheap filler seeds, ones that are all natural so the birds get more nutrition and you keep a cleaner feeder," Cole said. "The less filler, the less leftovers birds will kick out and leave behind."
Keep in mind even if you get a great deal on the seed, it will be wasted if the birds don't enjoy it.
About the Author
