Many bird lovers want to attract birds to their yards by providing food, but often run into problems with weed seeds in bird seed mixes. While birds benefit from high-quality foods with nutrients they need, some bird seed components unfortunately contain weed seeds that can sprout in lawns and gardens. Finding the right mix without weed seeds takes some research and care when selecting bird feed.
Types of Bird Seed
There are several common types of seeds used in bird feed mixes:
Millet
Millet is a tiny round white or red seed that is a favorite of ground-feeding birds like sparrows, juncos, towhees, and quail. Millet is generally weed-free and won’t sprout in your yard.
Black Oil Sunflower Seeds
Black oil sunflower seeds have a high meat-to-shell ratio and high fat content, making them attractive to chickadees, nuthatches, titmice, cardinals, finches, and woodpeckers. The seeds have thick shells that won’t germinate if they end up on the ground.
Cracked Corn
Cracked corn is loved by larger birds like doves, crows, grackles, and jays. But it can potentially sprout into corn plants, so opt for hulled cracked corn which won’t germinate.
Nyjer Seed
Nyjer seed, also called thistle seed, attracts finicky birds like goldfinches and pine siskins. Since the seeds have hard shells, they won’t sprout weeds.
Peanuts
Shelled, chopped peanuts appeal to larger birds like jays, woodpeckers, and chickadees. Be sure to get peanuts meant for birds, not humans, to avoid growth inhibitors. Peanuts won’t cause sprouting issues.
Safflower Seeds
Safflower seeds have a bitter taste that squirrels and other mammals don’t like, but that attracts cardinals, chickadees, finches, and grosbeaks. The hard shell prevents sprouting.
Rapeseed
Rapeseed, also called canola, has high oil content to fuel migration and winter survival. Juncos, sparrows, finches, and doves eat it. Some rapeseed is weed-free but other types may sprout, so check seed tags.
Wheat
Cracked wheat seeds appeal to ground feeding birds but may readily sprout weeds. Avoid mixes with wheat or choose hulled wheat instead.
Oats
Whole oats or rolled oats provide energy but often contain weed seeds. Steer clear of oats in bird seed.
Weed Seed Types in Bird Feed
When searching for bird food without weed seeds, it’s helpful to know what kinds of seeds to avoid. Here are some common weed species found in bird food:
Chickweed
Common chickweed, sticky chickweed, and mouseear chickweed are common bird seed contaminants. They easily root and spread in lawns.
Redroot Pigweed
Redroot pigweed and smooth pigweed are unwelcome pests with deep taproots. Their small black seeds hide in cheap bird mixes.
Lamb’s Quarters
Lamb’s quarters is a fast-growing summer weed that sprouts readily from dark seeds present in low-quality bird foods.
Purslane
Purslane pops up in summer with small reddish-brown or black seeds found in some bird feeds.
Ragweed
Common ragweed is a culprit for hay fever and its tiny seeds can be unwelcome yard weeds from bird mix.
Foxtails
Foxtail grasses like green, yellow, and giant foxtail can sprout from seeds lurking in inexpensive bird mixes.
Crabgrass
The grassy crabgrass weed starts easily from seeds present in bird foods containing grass components.
Black Medic
Black medic, also called black hay, emerges as a lawn and garden weed from hard, tiny seeds in bird mix.
Tips for Weed-Free Bird Seed
When shopping for bird seed, keep these tips in mind:
Check the Label
Read seed labels and ingredient lists carefully to evaluate components. Avoid seeds known to sprout weeds.
Buy Premium Brands
Spend a little more for quality bird food from reputable brands that have strict standards for weed seed contamination.
Try Single Seed Types
Purchase individual seed types like nyjer or safflower that won’t sprout weeds. Avoid seed “mixes”.
Buy Seed Suet
Seed suet cakes or logs contain embedded seeds that birds will eat but that can’t drop and sprout.
Select Shelled Seeds
Choose seeds with shells removed, like hulled sunflowers or peanuts, which prevent germination.
Use Seed Catchers
Use seed catchers under feeders to collect fallen seeds before they can sprout. Discard waste seeds.
Apply Pre-Emergent
Using corn gluten meal or pre-emergent herbicides around feeders prevents seeds from sprouting.
Recommended Weed-Free Bird Foods
Based on their strict standards for weed seed quality, here are some good bird food brands and specific mixes:
Wagner’s Greatest Variety Blend
A premium mix of sunflower, millet, nyjer, safflower, peanuts, and fruit. Weed-free.
Lyric Ultimate Blend
Blend of black oil sunflower, peanuts, nyjer, millet, safflower, and cranberries. 100% weed-free guaranteed.
Perky-Pet Zero Waste Blend
Shelled sunflowers, cracked corn, peanuts, and millet. Certified by the Wild Bird Feeding Institute as 100% weed-free.
Scotts Finch and Sparrow Food Plot Seed
Special nyjer, millet, and rapeseed blend ideal for ground-feeding birds. Does not contain weed seeds.
Kaytee Exact Rainbow Blend
Variety mix with sunflower, millet, safflower, peanuts, and fruit. Triple cleaned to remove weed seeds.
Brown’s Best Smorgasbord
Sunflower, peanuts, nyjer, and flax are combined in this premium weed-free mix.
Brand | Bird Food Mix | Key Weed-Free Ingredients |
---|---|---|
Wagner’s | Greatest Variety Blend | Sunflower, millet, nyjer, safflower, peanuts, fruit |
Lyric | Ultimate Blend | Black oil sunflower, peanuts, nyjer, millet, safflower, cranberries |
Perky-Pet | Zero Waste Blend | Shelled sunflowers, cracked corn, peanuts, millet |
Conclusion
Providing quality bird food is important for attracting and feeding local birds, but it’s crucial to avoid seeds that can sprout into annoying weeds. Read labels thoroughly, know which seeds to watch for, opt for premium mixes, and choose weed-free ingredients like nyjer, safflower, shelled peanuts and sunflowers. With a little diligence, you can enjoy feeding the birds without fertilizing your lawn and gardens with unwelcome weeds. Offering weed-free mixes will let you and the birds both enjoy the feeding experience.