Do Blackbirds Like Safflower Seeds?

Safflower Seeds

• The safflower seed is a favorite for some birds. However, this seed has a thick shell that is hard for certain types of birds, including blackbirds, to crack open. It also has a bitter taste that does not seem to be pleasing to blackbirds. Squirrels and other unwelcome visitors to a bird feeder also tend to disdain safflower seed.

Discouraging Blackbirds

• If you have a bird feeder in your yard, you have probably discovered that blackbirds are the bullies of the bird world. They will eat all the food you put out and drive other birds away. If you want to see other types of birds enjoy the seed, including mourning doves, colorful songbirds and jays, fill your feeder with safflower seeds.

Choice of Food

• If your goal is to keep blackbirds away from your feeder, do not mix the safflower seed with other seeds. These birds will pick out the seed they enjoy and leave the safflower. Blackbirds do enjoy milo, millet and cracked corn. Most of the songbirds that you may hope to see will not eat these three substances. Only use these foods, therefore, if you enjoy blackbirds and want them to be drawn to your bird feeder.

Bird Identification

• The choice of food you use in your bird feeder will determine the type of bird you see. If you see unfamiliar birds consuming your seed and want to identify them, try quickly writing down your observations about the bird and then sketching it. This will allow you to consult a field guide without relying on memory. To narrow down the identification, consult a seed preference chart for birds and look for birds that readily consume the type of feed you use.