No matter where you live, you probably have birds whistling outside your window more often than not. Even if birds are not your “thing,” try your hand at making some homemade birdseed and you may develop a liking to those flying creatures whizzing by your kitchen window.
Birdseed seems like a straightforward, store-bought item, but if you really want to please your neighborhood birds there can be a lot that goes into it. First of all, ditch the pre-made mixes. They can be full of fillers that many birds find less than appealing and are actually rather nutritionally useless. Instead, make a homemade mix with only the highest quality ingredients for our feathery friends.
Wild birds are huge fans of seeds, nuts and fruit (no surprise!), so stock up on some of these recommended ingredients and make your own mix! Sunflower seeds, white proso millet, safflower and Nyjer seed are all favorites of most wild birds. Black oil sunflower seeds are preferred; however, striped sunflower seeds can be used as a less expensive option. Popcorn kernels can also be used in bird feeders.
Most fruit is just fine to include in your bird feeder, but limit raisins as they can be toxic in large amounts. Fresh or dried apples, banana, berries and melons are simple and healthy additions to any seed mix and the birds will love them!
Suet, hard beef fat, is another popular addition to bird feed as it is a great source of energy, so if you can get your hands on some the birds will appreciate it!
Bird Seed Precautions
However, just like with any animal, there are some precautions that must be obeyed while making a feed. First of all, any shelled seed or fruit is going to attract more squirrels, so if they tend to prowl around then opt for the shell-on seeds if using a DIY bird feeder, or use a squirrel-proof feeder.
You should also be wary of using corn and peanuts in your feeder. While they are enjoyed by most birds and work as an inexpensive feed, both can carry aflatoxins, which are highly toxic to birds. Avoid these toxins by buying high quality corn and peanuts and keeping them dry at all times, which is best done with tray feeders. Raw peanuts may also contain trypsin inhibitors which can damage the kidneys and pancreas, so opt for roasted peanuts to be safe.
Feeds for Specific Types
Below are some bird-specific mixes that are sure to please our feathered friends. Mix an equal part of all ingredients, place in your bird feeder and watch nature take its course right in front of you. If you want to take your bird seed game up to the next level, try out the bird seed ornament recipe at the bottom for a fun and delicious way to feed your birds. These ornaments can be hung from anywhere or even attached to a bird feeder!
Cardinals
- Safflower seeds
- White proso millet
- Dried apples
Finches
- Nyjer thistle
- Dried blueberries
- Suet
Blue Jays
- Roasted peanuts
- Safflower seeds
- Suet
Robins
- Black oil sunflower seeds
- Dried apples
- Dried strawberries
Chickadees
- Striped sunflower seeds
- Roasted peanut bits
Coconut Oil Bird Seed Ornament Recipe
- 1 cup coconut oil
- 1/3 cup black oil sunflower seeds
- ¼ cup dried apple bits
- Line cookie cutters with aluminum foil so that the foil covers one side of the opening. String a small piece of twine through the foil at the top of the cookie cutter and set aside.
- Melt coconut oil in a small pot and add seeds and fruit once completely melted.
- Pour mixture into the cookie cutters and set in the freezer to harden.
- Pop the ornaments out using a toothpick and then hang for the birds to enjoy!