Black oil sunflower: which birds eat it
The one seed to buy if you buy one. Thin shell, easy for small birds to crack.
Which birds does black oil sunflower attract?
| Bird | Where it feeds | Best feeder |
|---|---|---|
| Cardinals | Ground or tray | Hopper feeder |
| Chickadees | Hanging feeder | Tube feeder |
| Titmice | Hanging feeder | Tube feeder |
| Nuthatches | Hanging feeder | Suet cage |
| House Finches | Hanging feeder | Tube feeder |
| Grosbeaks | Hanging feeder | Hopper feeder |
| Blue Jays | Ground or tray | Platform or tray feeder |
| Woodpeckers | Hanging feeder | Tail-prop suet feeder |
Black oil sunflower: bags from small to bulk
Prices move constantly; the button shows the current figure.
Cheapest per pound among these listings: $1.10 per lb; dearest: $2.50 per lb. Bulk bags only save money if you can store them dry.
How do you feed black oil sunflower?
| Feeder | Tube feeder, Hopper feeder, Platform or tray feeder |
|---|---|
| Squirrels | Loved by squirrels |
| Mess | Leaves hulls under the feeder |
| Storage | Keeps well for months in a sealed metal can |
Feeders that suit black oil sunflower
Prices move constantly; the button shows the current figure.
Other seed and food types
Striped sunflower · Sunflower hearts and chips · Safflower · Nyjer (thistle) · White proso millet · Cracked corn · Milo (sorghum) · Shelled peanuts · Peanuts in the shell · Suet and suet dough · Mealworms · Fruit (oranges, apples, berries) · Grape jelly · Nectar (sugar water) · Mixed seed blends
Get the seed-by-bird cheat sheet
Which food brings which bird, the feeder it needs and how to store it, on one printable page.
Used only to send the checklist.Frequently asked questions
What birds eat black oil sunflower?
cardinals, chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, house finches, grosbeaks, blue jays and woodpeckers are the main takers. High oil content and a thin shell make it the widest-appeal seed there is. Most feeder birds in most of North America eat it. Offering it in a tube feeder gives the birds that want it easy access without spilling it for the ones that do not.
Do squirrels eat black oil sunflower?
Loved by squirrels. Put it on a smooth pole with a baffle 4 to 5 feet up, at least 10 feet from anything squirrels can jump from, or use a weight-activated feeder.
How should I store black oil sunflower?
Keeps well for months in a sealed metal can. Keep any seed in a sealed metal can in a cool, dry place so mice, insects and moisture cannot reach it. Throw out anything that smells musty, clumps or shows mould, since mouldy food can make birds sick.
What feeder is best for black oil sunflower?
tube feeder, hopper feeder and platform or tray feeder. The workhorse for small clinging birds. Metal ports resist squirrel chewing. Matching the feeder to the food matters: the wrong ports either jam or pour the food out onto the ground.
Is black oil sunflower messy?
Leaves hulls under the feeder. Thin shell, easy for small birds to crack. If mess under the feeder is a concern, hulled foods such as sunflower hearts leave nothing behind, and a seed tray under the feeder catches most of what is dropped.