Feed Birds Black Oil Sunflower Seeds

Attract Birds With Black Oil Sunflower Seeds

Steve and Dave Maslowski

We all have opinions on the best ways to feed birds. But we can all agree on one thing: The greater variety of birds, the better. Serve up black oil sunflower seeds, also called oilers, and you have a pretty good chance at a big payoff.

Learn how to choose sunflower seeds for birds.

Why You Should Serve Black Oil Sunflower Seeds

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Birds focus on foods that have a big return on investment. So setting out seeds that are high in fat is an easy way to help birds enjoy a nutrient-dense snack, especially during the breeding season and winter weather.

According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, these seeds have thin shells, making them easier to crack open than striped sunflower seeds.

“Black oil sunflower seeds are related to regular sunflower seeds, but they’ve been cultivated to have a higher fat content,” says John Rowden, the senior director of bird-friendly communities at the National Audubon Society.

If you prefer to buy the striped variety, ensure that the seeds are approved for wildlife and are completely unsalted and unseasoned.

Discover the types of seeds and feeders birds love best.

Which Birds Love Black Oil Sunflower Seeds?

Courtesy Mel Lockhart

You can expect any of these feathered friends to visit a sunflower seed bird feeder:

• Cardinals
• Chickadees
• Finches
• Grosbeaks
• Jays
• Mourning doves
• Nuthatches
• Titmice
• Woodpeckers

Attract more new species with peanuts for birds.

The Best Ways to Serve Black Oil Sunflower Seeds

Courtesy Deborah Buckley

To offer the high-fat treats safely and reduce seed spoilage, try tube feeders, recommends David Bonter, the co-director of the Cornell Lab’s Center for Engagement in Science and Nature. “They help keep the seed dry. We don’t want birdseed to get wet, because mold can form that is harmful to birds,” he says.

Often, birders put out shelled sunflower seeds to minimize the mess.

Do safflower seeds deter squirrels?

How to Keep Sunflower Seeds Fresh

Courtesy Richard Nimtz

Because both sunflower hearts and chips quickly spoil, only dish out an amount that backyard birds can consume in a couple of days. If you notice stale or moldy seeds, David recommends cleaning bird feeders with soap, water and a 10% bleach solution.

If you’re not sure if it’s time to replace the seeds, David says, “have the birds tell you—birds tend to avoid seeds that have gone bad.”

Offer nyjer seed to attract more finches.

Grow Your Own Sunflower Seeds

Courtesy Ingrid Fehr

Common sunflowers, such as the one above, are closely related to black oil sunflowers and are easy to find and grow. Plant sunflowers for a simple way to add another food source to your yard for visiting wild birds.

Psst—here’s how to grow a goldfinch garden with their favorite plants.

“Planting sunflowers in the backyard also provides host opportunities for insects, and the birds can then forage on them,” John says.

Next, check out the top 10 sunny sunflower varieties to grow.

About the Experts

John Rowden has worked at the National Audubon Society since 2009. As senior director for Bird-friendly Communities from 2019 to 2022, he focused on making communities better and safer for birds, with involvement in programs such as Plants for Birds and Bird-friendly Buildings. He earned a PhD in Zoology from Duke University.

Avian ecologist David Bonter works as the Arthur A. Allen Director of Citizen Science with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, focusing on teaching, mentoring and undergraduate research.

Sources

• Project FeederWatch – Black-oil Sunflower Seeds
• Cornell Lab of Ornithology – Feeding Birds: a Quick Guide to Seed Types