![]() ![]() Filling your birdfeeder with safflower seeds, or even putting a wild bird feed mix with safflower seeds in it into your feeder is a great way to deter bully birds from dominating your backyard.Īnother advantage of safflower seeds for birders is that this is a no-mess bird food. Why do birders like filling their bird feeders with safflower seed? Arguably the best thing about safflower isn’t even the seed itself it’s that squirrels don’t like to eat the seeds! Squirrels, grackles (namely blackbirds), starlings, and most other pesky animals steer clear of safflower seeds due to their bitter taste and exceptionally hard shells. Every once in a while, however, you’ll find a bird (like doves) that eats the safflower seed whole. It doesn’t matter that safflower seeds are so small in size many birds still tend to crack them open to eat them so they can access the seed’s inner meat. ![]() With 38% fat, 16% protein, and 34% carbohydrates, these seeds provide birds with an exceptional source of energy. Safflower seeds are so good for birds because of their strong nutritional profile. So why do birds eat safflower seeds? The nutritional content is pretty impressive. Several types of wild birds that eat safflower seeds include:Ĭhickadees (especially Black-capped chickadees)įinches (particularly House finches and Purple finches) Despite being bitter and requiring some work, however, these seeds are a vital part of several birds’ diets. Safflower seeds aren’t for everyone - in fact, they’re often not even most wild birds’ first choice. Valley Farms Safflower Seed Wild Bird Food $16.50, available for purchase online at Which Birds like Safflower Seeds? Size-wise, it’s slightly larger than a popcorn kernel but just smaller than a black oil sunflower seed with a similarly tapered shape. This type of wild bird seed is an annual species in the same plant family as the sunflower, which makes it an easy pairing when putting together wild bird feed mixes. Safflower seeds are small but come with a hard shell that some birds (and pets) find difficult to crack open. The gorgeous color and flavorful oil aside, safflower is also an important wild bird feed for various songbirds. The safflower plant ( Carthamus tinctorius ) is grown as a crop in many areas throughout the world, including parts of the United States, Canada, India, Mexico, Ethiopia, China, Argentina, and Iran. But what you may not know is that safflower seeds are also cultivated as precious bird food! Are you familiar with the bright, beautiful orange flower that is the safflower? If so, you’re probably aware of its gorgeous hue and the rich flavor safflower oil provides in cooking. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |