What is the Best Wild Bird Seed to Buy?

If you’re setting up a bird feeder and want to attract a wide variety of birds but can only choose one type of bird seed, which should you get? In most cases, the best option is often black oil sunflower seeds. This is a choice we always offer at our bird feeders, and it never fails to bring in a great mix of birds. Let’s look at why this particular seed stands out as the top choice for bird enthusiasts.

doves eating sunflower seeds atop of cut log

Which Birds Like Black Oil Sunflower Seeds?

Black oil sunflower seeds have a high oil content, which provides birds with the essential energy they need to thrive. This makes them extremely appealing to a wide range of bird species.

Which birds might you attract with black oil sunflower seeds? Keep an eye out for:

American Goldfinches: Small and vibrant, goldfinches are attracted to sunflower seeds and often visit feeders in groups. We see Lesser Goldfinches at our feeders.
Northern Cardinals: With their bright red plumage, cardinals are a beautiful sight at feeders. They particularly enjoy black oil sunflower seeds.
Blue Jays: Known for their striking blue coloration, Blue Jays are large birds that can handle sunflower seeds with ease. The Woodhouse’s Scrub Jays we have at our house also love sunflower seeds.
Chickadees: Including the Black-capped Chickadee and Carolina Chickadee, these friendly and curious birds are frequent visitors to sunflower seed feeders. We have Carolina Chickadees and they are a joy to watch as they often come in and grab ONE sunflower seed then fly off to a perch in a nearby tree to enjoy it in peace.
Titmice: Similar to chickadees in habits, the Titmouse enjoys sunflower seeds and often visits feeders.
Nuthatches: Both White-breasted and Red-breasted Nuthatches can be seen walking head-first down tree trunks and visiting feeders for sunflower seeds.
House Finches: With their lovely red, orange, or yellow plumage, House Finches are common at feeders offering sunflower seeds.
Purple Finches: These birds, which resemble House Finches, are also attracted to sunflower seeds.
Pine Siskins: Small with streaky bodies, Pine Siskins often visit sunflower seed feeders, especially in flocks.
Doves: Our doves love black oil sunflower seeds when I put it on the ground, in a platform feeder on, one of my favorites, on top of a cut log.

You even might attract woodpeckers with this seed (although ours typically come for the suet!)

Easy to Handle

The shell of black oil sunflower seeds is thinner than that of other sunflower seeds, like the striped variety, making it easier for most birds to crack open and access the nutritious kernels inside.

This accessibility is key in attracting smaller birds that might struggle with thicker shells.

Nutritional Value

bag of black oil sunflower seed showing nutritional analysis

These seeds are packed with fats, making them an excellent energy source for birds, especially during the colder months when food is scarce and birds need extra energy to maintain their body temperature.

Black oil sunflower seeds also contain significant amounts of protein, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals, contributing to the overall health of the visiting birds.

Versatility

Black oil sunflower seeds can be used in virtually any type of feeder, whether it’s a tube feeder, a tray, or a hopper, making them a versatile choice for your bird feeding station. (I also spread a little out on the ground to attract ground feeders like doves and wrens.)

This flexibility ensures that you can attract birds with different feeding preferences.

Considerations

While black oil sunflower seeds are an excellent choice for attracting a diverse range of birds, they can also lead to some waste and mess under your feeders, as birds will discard shells.

To minimize this, consider using a feeder with a built-in tray to catch the shells or periodically clean the area beneath your feeder. Your other option is to purchase shelled sunflower seeds.