Safflower vs Sunflower- what do birds prefer? 

I live in western New York and this was the first winter I fed the backyard birds. I put hulled sunflower seeds out and the goldfinches, chickadees and cardinals loved them. Then the spring return of dozens of grackles and starlings happened. They completely displaced all the other birds so I started using safflower seed since I am told the grackles and starlings don't like the bitter taste. The grackles and starlings have moved on and the cardinals have returned but I haven't seen a goldfinch since. Maybe they will come back next fall. The cardinals gobble up the safflower seeds and so do chickadees and house finches. I have occasionally put a scoop of sunflower seeds out and am swamped with grackles and starlings again. No more sunflower seeds until those birds fly south. 😂

Mr. Satchwell, Thank you for all the feeders you make. I love to try to make feeders from natural stuff around my yard. Always enjoy your vids.

Last year, when I was living in NJ I stopped using sunflower seed, I used only Nyjer seed, Safflower seed, and suet. Nyjer seed is only eaten by Gold Finches, Pine Siskins, and Redpolls, other birds, and squirrels will not eat it. Safflower seed is mostly eaten by Cardinals and House Finches, many other birds like Chickadees and Nuthatches will not, however, if you have problems with starlings and house sparrows, Safflower seed is a good deterrent. Suet, depending on where you live, Starlings could be a problem. Last month I started using Sunflower chips in one of my feeders, and it's a big hit with the Pine Warblers who don't like to dehusk the shelled seeds. Also, now that I'm living in NC, dried mealworms, though expensive, attract Bluebirds, Warblers, and other types of Thrushes.

Interesting videos Larry. I also enjoyed your home made suet feeders and recipe. I’m new to the Midwest and still learning the birds here and what they like. Your experiment and other videos help as they have all been more steps in my learning curve. Thanks! 👍

Nice video chief. I absolutely luv birds . I go out of my way to feed them

There is a great bird food which has both and mealworms. It's known for attracting bluebirds. Wal Mart has it. I don't mind turkeys and ground feeders getting leftovers So many walnuts this year that squirrels haven't bothered feeders We fixed the feeder to south facing porch for winter. Now cat is watching bird tv daily Two loads of wood, even with help, I'm on couch watching your feeders.😉🐦🕊️ Raining here, cold on way.. Hope chairs got built. 🙂

thanks, enjoyed much,

Haha, you big bully you took away the one they liked best! Thanks Larry, that's a fun project.

If I'm not mistaken, that first bird was a Ruby-Crowned Kinglet, I get them too, rarely.

I’m in Missouri. My house finches 100% of the time prefer the safflower. Chickadees sometimes do too when presented with both. Gold finches always go for the sunflower of course, as do the cardinals, and titmice. My woodpeckers don’t like either (downy, red bellied)-they only eat peanuts, and if I’m low on that they eat their peanut suet or a woodpecker blend suet.

Thanks for your videos. Appears there is some confusion between black oil sunflower SEEDS and HEARTS. Of course, you know the difference, but some of your viewers probably don't. Birds have to crack open the SEEDS in order to get to the HEARTS. But you can buy the hearts that have already had the outer seed removed. The hearts are more expensive. Same goes for striped sun flower seeds that are toasted and salted for human consumption. For salads, we buy the hearts.--------- As for price, look for a Tractor Supply in your area. They have the best prices I've found for black oil sunflower seeds but be aware that prices can vary from one Tractor Supply store to another Tractor Supply store. Where I live, one store sells 40 lbs for $24.99 but another store 30 miles away sells it for $29.99 for 40 lbs. Each store is the same distance from my house. Beware of the brand of black oil sunflower seeds carried by Walmart because it has lots of trash in with the seeds which you're paying for because the bags are sold by weight.

Jedd's has 50 LBS for $54 but shipping is also $1 per LB! $110 for 50 LBS delivered Hulled Sunflower Seed Royal Feeds

Every day im in Town i give something. Usually unsalted peanuts crushed or bread and peanut butter before work. Or anything

😊

Hello! Can you tell please, what is the woodpecker eating in this video?

Did you make the feeders? If yes, may I ask how? Are the sunflower seeds striped or black oil?

The same in michigan sunflower is 5 stare

The birds have been favoring Safflower seeds here for the past year or two over Sunflower seeds. Pretty weird and unexpected. I have to keep filling the Safflower Feeder while the Sunflower Feeder remains full. It started with the Cardinals, but the other birds joined in.

Cardinals two favorite seeds

I buy cracked sunflower seeds at Petsmart....8 pounds, $11.99. Cheapest I could find where I live. San Jose, CA

But squirrels don't eat safflower seeds!

Tractor supply bird seed especially in winter and water

Hulled seeds are gonna get eaten first .