Black oil sunflower seeds are one of the most popular seeds offered to backyard birds. These small, oil-rich seeds provide birds with crucial fat and protein content to maintain energy levels during cold winter months or demanding breeding seasons. But are black oil sunflower seeds actually “good” for birds? Here are some key points to consider:
Nutritional value
Black oil sunflower seeds are high in fat and protein compared to other seeds. This makes them an excellent source of energy and nutrients for birds. Some key nutritional values per 100 grams of black oil sunflower seeds include:
- Fat: 49 grams
- Protein: 21 grams
- Fiber: 27 grams
- Calcium: 250 milligrams
The high fat content, in particular, gives birds an efficient energy source to maintain body heat and survive cold weather. The protein supports muscle maintenance and feather growth. Black oil seeds also contain various vitamins and minerals like vitamin E, phosphorus, zinc, and folate.
Highly attractive to birds
In addition to nutritional value, black oil sunflower seeds are highly attractive to a wide variety of bird species. The small size and thin shells make them easy for small birds to crack open and feed on. And the rich, oily meat has an appealing taste. Backyard bird watchers report long lists of birds drawn to feeders stocked with these seeds, including:
- Chickadees
- Nuthatches
- Titmouse
- Finches
- Cardinals
- Grosbeaks
- Woodpeckers
- Jays
- Doves
- Sparrows
Offering black oil sunflower seeds is an easy way to increase bird diversity and activity in your yard habitat.
Potential downsides
While black oil sunflower seeds have many benefits, there are a few potential downsides to consider:
- Messy shells – The shells can litter the ground under feeders.
- Fat content – While healthy in moderation, too many black oil seeds could lead to obesity in birds.
- Incomplete nutrition – Seeds alone don’t provide complete nutrition without other foods.
- Spread of disease – Feeders can spread bacterial and fungal disease between birds.
- Dependency – Relying too much on feeders may lead to reduced natural foraging in some species.
To minimize these risks, offer black oil sunflower seeds in moderation alongside other foods like suet, fruit, nuts, and insects. Keep feeders clean and scatter seeds on the ground to minimize crowding.
Recommended feeding guidelines
Most experts recommend the following guidelines for offering black oil sunflower seeds to backyard birds:
- Offer seeds in feeders, hopper feeders, or on platform feeders – scatter some on ground too.
- Aim for no more than 1 pound of seeds per bird feeder per day.
- Supplement with other foods like suet, fruit, peanuts, and nyjer seed.
- Provide grit like sand or eggshells to aid digestion.
- Offer a water source like a bird bath or fountain.
- Clean feeders weekly with a 1:9 bleach-water solution.
- Observe birds and adjust offerings accordingly if signs of obesity, fighting, or illness occur.
How black oil sunflower seeds are produced
Black oil sunflower seeds offered commercially for backyard bird feeders are the result of hybridized sunflower breeding. Key facts about commercial production include:
- They are types of oilseed sunflowers bred specifically for small, high fat seeds.
- Popular hybrids include birds choice, jumbo, and titan.
- They are planted in spring and harvested in fall.
- Seeds are removed from the flower head and cleaned.
- A chemical process helps remove hulls.
- Seeds are then packaged for bird food use.
- The US states of Kansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota lead production.
Price and availability
Black oil sunflower seeds are very easy to find and affordable to buy. Some points on price include:
- They cost approximately $0.30 to $0.70 per pound for high volumes like a 25-pound bag.
- Per-pound prices are higher for smaller 1 to 5 pound bags.
- Buying in bulk bags offers the best price per pound.
- Prices are slightly higher at some specialty bird-feeding stores.
- Store-brand seeds are often cheaper than name brands.
- Prices fluctuate somewhat depending on sunflower crop yields.
You can readily find black oil sunflower seeds at stores like Walmart, hardware stores, nurseries, pet supply stores, and online retailers. Purchasing from a local bird feeding specialist is also an option. These stores offer a wide selection of reputable brands, seed types, and specialized bird feeders to go with them.
Storage and freshness
To maintain freshness and shelf life, store black oil sunflower seeds in a cool, dry area away from rodents. Some tips include:
- Keep seeds in original bag or a sealable plastic bin.
- Refrigeration can extend shelf life for 6+ months.
- Look for a cool area like a basement or pantry.
- Freeze extra seeds to keep even longer.
- Check for signs of moisture, clumping, or spoiled odor.
- Discard any moldy or rotten seeds.
- Buy seeds from stores with good product turnover.
Proper storage will keep black oil sunflower seeds fresh for 1 to 2 months at room temperature, or longer if refrigerated or frozen. Monitor stored seeds closely and discard any that show signs of moisture, clumping, or odor.
Comparison to other bird seed types
How do black oil sunflower seeds compare and contrast to other common bird seed types?
Seed Type | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|
Black oil sunflower | High fat/energy value, very attractive to wide variety of birds | Can be messy under feeders, potential overeating risk |
Nyjer | Small size good for finches, high energy content | Expensive, high waste of seed hulls |
Safflower | Good for cardinals and similar birds, shells less messy | Not appealing to all species, can be expensive |
Peanuts | Enjoyed by jays and others, high fat/protein content | Can become rancid in warm weather |
Mixed seed | Variety attracts more species, less waste than single seeds | Many cheap fillers like milo, prone to spoilage |
Black oil sunflower strikes an excellent balance between broad appeal, nutrition, affordability, and ease of use. Mix with safflower, nyjer, peanuts, and other seeds to target specific birds.
Should you offer black oil sunflower seeds?
In summary, black oil sunflower seeds have many advantages that make them a great choice for attracting and feeding birds in your yard habitat, including:
- Very high fat and protein content
- Nutritious for a wide variety of bird species
- Appealing taste that draws in birds
- Relatively low cost and easy to buy
- Can be used alone or blended with other seeds
Potential downsides like mess, overeating, and incomplete nutrition can be managed with proper feeding techniques. Overall, black oil sunflower seeds are one of the best and most recommended bird seeds for backyard feeders. Offer them as part of a varied bird feeding setup to enjoy watching a diversity of happy, healthy birds visit your yard.