Sparrows are a common backyard bird found throughout North America. As an omnivorous bird, sparrows enjoy a variety of foods including seeds, grains, insects, berries, and more. When it comes to bird seed, sparrows have some clear favorites. Understanding what bird seed sparrows prefer can help homeowners and bird enthusiasts attract more of these busy little birds to their yards.
Sparrow Diet and Preferences
Sparrows are seed-eating machines and bird seed makes up the bulk of their diet. They enjoy small seeds that are easy to hastily crack open and devour. Sparrows will eat a wide variety of bird seeds, but they do have their preferred picks.
Some of the seeds sparrows relish include:
- Millet – This tiny, round white seed is a sparrow favorite. They enjoy white proso millet as well as red or golden millet.
- Oats – Hulled oats are enjoyed by sparrows.
- Wheat – Cracked wheat seeds attract sparrows.
- Nyjer thistle – Also called niger seed, this tiny black seed is high in nutrients and oils. Sparrows will gobble it up.
- Cracked corn – The small pieces are easier for sparrows to eat.
- Safflower – Sparrows will eat black oil sunflower seeds over safflower, but they will still readily feed on safflower seeds.
In addition to seeds, sparrows will feed on grain products including bread crumbs, cereal, oatmeal, and more. Live mealworms and other insects are relished. Sparrows will also enjoy fruit, berries, nuts, and suet. Offering a variety of different bird seed and food will satisfy sparrows’ omnivorous appetites.
Best Bird Seed for Sparrows
When deciding what bird seed to offer sparrows specifically, there are some clear winners. Here are the best types of bird seed to attract hungry sparrows to your yard:
Millet
Millet is widely considered one of the best seeds to offer sparrows. The tiny round millet seeds are just the right size for sparrows to pluck out of feeders and easily eat. The small size also allows sparrows to fill up fast.
White proso millet is the most common type of millet in bird seed blends. Look for bird food with millet as one of the main ingredients. Or purchase plain millet to offer sparrows. Red millet and golden millet are also excellent choices sparrows will flock to.
Black Oil Sunflower Seeds
Black oil sunflower seeds are a favorite of many birds. Sparrows will happily feed on these small, meaty seeds. Opt for black oil sunflower seeds without shells to make it even easier for small sparrows to eat them.
Sunflower seeds have thick shells. Black oil sunflower seeds have thinner shells that sparrows can easily crack open with their small beaks. These seeds are high in fat and protein, making them an excellent source of energy.
Nyjer Seed
Also called niger or thistle seed, tiny nyjer seeds are loved by sparrows. Nyjer seed has a high oil content so it has lots of calories to fuel energetic sparrows. The diminutive size of nyjer is perfect for sparrows to quickly eat.
A finch feeder with small ports is ideal for serving nyjer seed to sparrows. Or sprinkle nyjer into a ground feeder or platform bird feeder.
Cracked Corn
Whole dried corn is too large and tough for sparrows to eat. But cracked corn, where the kernel is broken into small pieces, is an appealing feed. The small pea-sized pieces of cracked corn are easy for sparrows to pick up and eat.
Bread Crumbs
Stale bread crumbs make a tasty treat that sparrows will flock to. For best results, offer bread crumbs in a ground feeder or scattered across a platform feeder. Avoid molded bread. Stick to plain bread crumbs without flavoring.
Bird Seed Blends Sparrows Like
Look for bird seed mixes with the seeds and grains sparrows love to attract a feast of sparrows. Some pre-made blends sparrows go crazy for include:
- Millet blends – As the name implies, these mixes are packed with various types of millet seeds. Millet makes up 50% or more of the total seed blend.
- No-mess mixes – These blends have shelled sunflower and peanut pieces for easy eating.
- Small bird or songbird mixes – Tailored for small beaked birds like sparrows, these mixes have lots of small seeds.
- All-purpose bird seed – Look for a mix with black oil sunflower, millet, cracked corn, safflower, oats, and other grains.
- Dove and quail mixes – These are loaded with seeds preferred by ground-feeding birds.
Best Type of Bird Feeder for Sparrows
To attract a flock of sparrows, offer their favorite seeds in the right type of bird feeder. Here are the best feeder styles to provide seed to sparrows:
Tray or Platform Feeders
A wide, open tray feeder allows easy access for ground-feeding sparrows. These platforms hold a mix of seeds, grains, bread crumbs, and other foods sparrows enjoy. Position the feeder in an open area of the yard.
Ground Feeders
Ground feeding trays or tubes allow sparrows to grab a quick bite to eat. Place these feeders right on the ground in an open spot to create an attractive sparrow buffet.
Mesh Tube Feeders
Tube feeders with mesh material rather than plastic ports work well for small-beaked birds. Sparrows can easily reach through the mesh to pluck out their favorite nyjer, millet, sunflower seeds, and more.
Hopper or House Feeders
These enclosed feeders with clear panels and perches allow birds to see the seed inside. The hopper shape dispenses seed as the birds eat. Position on a fence, post, or platform for easy sparrow access.
Bird Seed Feeder Tips to Attract Sparrows
Follow these tips and tricks when offering bird seed to attract hungry sparrows:
- Buy bird seed in small quantities and replenish often to ensure freshness.
- Clean feeders regularly to prevent mold and bacteria.
- Use multiple feeders around your yard to reduce crowding and competition.
- Add a water source like a birdbath, fountain, or small pond for drinking and bathing.
- Provide cover such as bushes, trees, or brush piles so sparrows feel safe from predators.
- If possible, position feeders away from areas where cats prowl to protect ground-feeding sparrows.
Putting Out Bird Seed for Sparrows
Here are some tips for offering bird seed that will satisfy hungry sparrows visiting your yard:
- Choose a blend with millet, sunflower seeds, corn, and nyjer seed.
- Fill tray, hopper, or tube feeders with the seed mixture.
- Scatter some of the mix, along with bread crumbs, across the ground or platform feeders.
- Sprinkle nyjer seed in an open feeder for easy access.
- Start with small amounts, like 1⁄4 cup per feeder, and increase as needed.
- Observe how quickly the sparrows eat and replenish often to attract them.
Sparrow Behavior Around Feeders
Here are some common behaviors and antics you’ll observe in sparrows around bird feeders:
- Flocking – Sparrows are highly social and will congregate at feeders in small flocks or groups.
- Chirping – They make frequent chirping noises while feeding and congregating.
- Exuberant bathing – Sparrows will splash about in birdbaths or puddles gleefully after eating.
- Rapid eating – They waste no time cracking open seeds and snapping up food bits.
- Aggression – Sparrows are competitive around food and will chase off other birds.
- Messy habits – They toss aside empty seed hulls to get to the filled seeds they prefer.
Sparrow Visitors
In addition to house sparrows, other species you may see at your seed feeders depending on your location include:
Song Sparrow
The common song sparrow sports a streaked chest with a distinctive dark spot in the middle. Look for them across most of North America.
Chipping Sparrow
This small sparrow has a rusty cap and black eyeline. They breed across Canada and the U.S. then migrate south for winter.
White-throated Sparrow
Recognizable by the bright white patch on their chin and throat, these birds breed in Canada before migrating south to most of the continental U.S. for winter.
Savannah Sparrow
A pale yellow eyebrow stripe identifies these streaky brown sparrows that live in open fields across North America.
Vesper Sparrow
Look for these sparrows with reddish shoulders and a white outer tail feather throughout farm fields in the western and central U.S. and Canada.
Sparrow Feeding Tips
Follow these tips to create an attractive bird feeding habitat specifically for sparrows:
- Place feeders in an open area where sparrows feel safe from predators.
- Use feeders designed for small seeds that sparrows like such as nyjer or millet.
- Scatter mixes of seeds, grains, and bread crumbs on the ground or platforms.
- Supplement seeds with fruit pieces, mealworms, suet, oatmeal, and other goodies.
- Add brush piles, shrubs, and other cover for protection from predators.
- Clean feeders regularly to prevent rotting food that could spread disease.
- Use feeders with weight or perch mechanisms to prevent bigger birds from taking over.
Benefits of Feeding Sparrows
Attracting beautiful, lively sparrows to your yard with bird seed offers many benefits including:
- Pest control – Sparrows will feast on harmful garden and yard pests.
- Seed dispersal – Their droppings help disperse plant seeds.
- Fertilization – Bird droppings help fertilize gardens and lawns.
- Weed reduction – Sparrows reduce weed seeds and insects.
- Pollination – Sparrows carry pollen on their feathers as they move about your yard.
- Joy of nature – Watching sparrows provides enjoyable nature encounters.
Downsides of Feeding Sparrows
Some potential downsides of attracting sparrows include:
- Aggressive behavior at feeders toward other birds.
- A large flock can quickly consume bird seed, increasing costs.
- Sparrows can damage gardens, flower buds, and crops when searching for additional food.
- Droppings may fall from feeders or when birds perch on cars or patio furniture.
- They can carry and spread parasites and diseases.
- House Sparrows compete with native birds. Since they are non-native, some people choose not to attract them.
Deterring Sparrows
If you don’t want sparrows dominating your feeders there are some tactics to try deterring them:
- Use tubes feeders with smaller ports that large sparrows can’t access.
- Place feeders in an open area away from bushes, cover, and landing spots.
- Coat ledges and perches with vegetable oil to prevent them from landing.
- Install feeders on a pulley system to raise them up out of reach when not wanted.
- Use a feeder cage or baffle above the feeder to prevent access.
- Offer safflower seed, which is less preferred than sunflower or millet.
- Consider not putting out bird seed for periods of time to encourage them to look elsewhere for food.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do sparrows flock to feeders?
Sparrows are very social birds that naturally gather in flocks. Feeders provide a convenient source of food that multiple sparrows can access at once. This allows them to feed together in a flock and watch for predators as a group.
How much bird seed do sparrows eat each day?
An individual sparrow may eat 1-2 teaspoons of bird seed per day. However sparrows are frequent visitors to feeders and often travel in small flocks. A flock of 10-15 sparrows might consume a quarter cup to half cup of bird seed in a day.
Will sparrows keep other birds away from feeders?
Sparrows are very protective of food sources and will try to chase away other birds. However other birds can still access feeders, especially if multiple feeders are spread around the yard. Sparrows mainly dominate mixed flocks in winter when food is scarce.
What time of day do sparrows visit feeders?
Sparrows will visit feeders multiple times throughout the day starting shortly after dawn until dusk. Feeding activity peaks in early morning and late afternoon. Sparrows will also feed intermittently through midday.
Where should I place bird feeders to attract sparrows?
Sparrows prefer open areas near some trees or shrubs where they can quickly take cover if threatened. Placing feeders near bushes, trees, or brush piles will appeal to sparrows while still allowing full visibility to watch for predators as they feed.
Conclusion
When it comes to bird seed, sparrows have some clear favorites. This includes small seeds like millet, sunflower, nyjer, and cracked corn. Offering their preferred seeds in open feeders or scattered on the ground will satisfy sparrow appetites. Attracting a flock of lively sparrows to your yard provides enjoyment, pest control, and benefits for gardens.