The most often used seed in North American feeders is the black-oil sunflower seed. This seed has a high energy value and a thin shell, so it’s easy to eat for many types of birds. This is the seed of choice for sparrows, finches, chickadees, cardinals and even woodpeckers.

The striped sunflower seed is thicker-shelled and bigger than the black-oil type of sunflower. This is a seed you will often see in seed mixes. The breeds that eat this bird seed are large-billed and able to crack the shells open.

Thistle seed isn’t related to the plant by the same name. It is imported, and is becoming more popular in recent years, because it can attract finches, including goldfinches.

Safflower is a white colored sunflower seed. It is grown for bird seed and for its oil. Cardinals and other birds with big bills enjoy safflower seeds. Most bird watchers feel that birds usually will pick sunflower over safflower seeds.

Millet is a small grain that you will commonly see in seed mixes. Millet is a favorite type of bird seed for smaller birds that forage on the ground. Sparrows and Juncos will enjoy a handful of millet sprinkled on the ground.

You may find different varieties of bird seed available in commercial mixes, or if you prefer, create your own mix. Platform feeders are the normal type of feeder for these mixes, and some birds enjoy seed mixes spread on the ground. You can attract many different birds with a seed mix.