If you’re a nature enthusiast and want to create a welcoming space for your feathered friends, planting sunflower seeds can be a fantastic way to achieve that goal. Sunflowers are not only visually stunning but also serve as a valuable food source for various bird species. In this comprehensive guide, “Planting Sunflower Seeds for Birds,” we’ll delve into the art of sowing sunflower seeds with a focus on attracting and nourishing avian companions. Offering insights and tips, we aim to help you create a bird-friendly habitat right in your own backyard.
Birds That Eat Black Oil Sunflower Seeds
Black oil sunflower seeds are a top choice among backyard bird enthusiasts looking to attract feathered visitors. These small, black seeds boast a high oil content cherished among seed-eating birds for its high calorie content to maintain winter energy reserves and fuel avian metabolisms.
Below are common bird species attracted to black oil sunflower feeders or acreages where oilseed sunflower crops grow:
Chickadees – Both black-capped and Carolina chickadees eagerly fill up on these small seeds to warm their tiny bodies on frigid days.
Goldfinches – The bright yellow male American goldfinch relies on oil-rich sunflower seeds to maintain his vibrant colorful feathers, especially during annual molting periods.
Northern Cardinals – Brilliant red Northern cardinals find sunflowers perfectly sized for their beaks. A mated pair can raise several clutches of adorable fledglings thanks to ample nutrition from sunflowers.
Woodpeckers – Snacking on sunflower kernels gives woodpeckers like downy, hairy, red-bellied and yellow-bellied sapsuckers plenty of fuel for hammering on trees while also feeding their own chicks.
Nuthatches – Agile white-breasted nuthatches adore wresting seeds from filled feeders. Red and white-breasted varieties benefit from sunflower fat and protein content aiding their chick rearing duties.
Blue Jays – Clever blue jays carry off whole sunflower seeds to open later. They also stash extra seeds away to find days later when natural food gets scarce.
Sparrows – Ground feeding house sparrows, chipping sparrows, song sparrows, and white-throated varieties enjoy filling up on readily accessible sunflowers.
Juncos – The aptly named dark-eyed junco bounces beneath feeders grabbing fallen seeds other birds drop. Juncos thrive on sunflower calories to outlast harsh winters and seasonal migrations.
Finches – Lesser goldfinches, purple finches and house finches descending in swirling flocks make short work of clearing filled sunflower feeder trays. Small seeds suit their tiny beaks perfectly.
Mourning Doves – Graceful mourning doves strut across the ground appreciating sunflower gifts free from snow cover that would otherwise hide their precious wild seeds.
As you can see, sunflower seeds attract chickadees to jays! Next let’s review the best offerings and techniques for serving sunflower seeds to wild birds…
How to Feed Sunflower Seeds to Birds
When setting out sunflower seeds, aim for serving styles allowing easy access for your target bird species. Consider the following feeding options:
Tray or Hopper Feeders – These enclosed feeders with vertical perches and small seed ports below work well, protecting seeds from getting soggy in rainy weather. Position feeders near trees or shrubs so shy birds can safely approach.
Platform Feeders – Open tray platforms easily accommodate larger bird varieties on top like doves and jays while smaller birds forage spilled seeds below. Elevate feeders on posts to deter less agile squirrels and nighttime raiders.
Ground Feeding – Simply scattering sunflower seeds across the ground or snow attracts primarily ground foragers like sparrows, juncos and doves. Sprinkle seeds under shrubs or low cover to allow birds quick escape from predators. Frequently rake up old moldy shells.
Suet Feeders – Mix sunflower pieces, chips or hulled unsalted seeds into homemade suet cakes along with peanut butter, cornmeal etc. then set out suet feeder cakes for woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees and other clinging birds to nibble.
Specialty Feeders – Try offering sunflowers within mesh sock feeders, vertical silo tubes, or birdbath rim trays to further deter squirrels and large birds from dominating seeds. This allows fair access for small songbirds.
Aim to offer sunflower seeds year round. In peak summer when natural seeds and insects abound, you can reduce quantities. Then increase volumes in autumn and winter when extra fuels help birds survive bitter nights or sustain migration trips south.
Now that we’ve covered how to serve sunflower seeds, next comes growing your own sunflowers to take backyard bird feeding to the next level…
Growing Sunflower Seeds
What better way to guarantee a steady supply of the freshest sunflower seeds to feed backyard birds than planting your own bumper crops! Homegrown sunflowers let you cater varieties, bloom times and seed flavors exactly to local bird species favorites. And watching colorful songbirds flock to swaying sunflower heads in late summer is extremely rewarding.
Follow this overview for successfully raising sunflowers for birds from seed to seedling to mature blooms bursting with nutritious seeds to share through fall and winter:
Choose short season sunflower varieties – Select quick-maturing options that ripen seeds before your growing region’s first fall frost for plump seed heads. Talk to other bird lovers, garden centers, or consult online planting zone maps when picking specific sunflower cultivars optimized for your area.
Start seeds indoors – Begin nursing sunflower seedlings 2-3 months before the suggested last frost date. Sow multiple seeds in biodegradable peat pots filled lush potting soil under grow lights or a bright, sunny window. Thin seedlings down keeping only the strongest plant per pot once sprouts emerge. Harden off outdoor sun and wind exposure over 2 weeks before transplanting seedlings outside into warm soil come late spring.
Prepare growing beds – Clear a garden bed site or field area with full sunlight of all previous crops, weeds, rocks and roots. Work compost and organic fertilizer into soil to enrich nutrients. Create loose, crumbly earth perfect for seedlings to stretch their roots deeply into. Rake beds smooth before planting.
Transplant sprouts – Carefully transfer young potted sunflower plants into tilled garden beds or rows once night temperatures remain above 50°F (10°C). Space plants 18-24 inches apart so expanding leaves and wide seed heads have plenty of room to grow. Gently water transplants daily their first week establishing roots.
Watch them tower upwards! – If nurtured well, young sunflower transplants grow rapidly gaining several inches in height per day thanks to their tender age and the full sun exposure. Marvel at vibrant blossoms soon opening as they mature through summer to greet smiling birds!
Grow Sunflowers to Attract More Backyard Birds
Beyond producing oil-rich seeds favored among birds, sunflowers themselves also naturally draw in more wild birds over their flowering lifecycle:
The promise of future seeds – Observing fast growing green sunflower seed heads first forming signals to clever birds like finches that a bumper buffet is coming. They closely monitor development.
Insect magnets – Many birds eat insects too. Sunflowers attract bees, flies and other bug prey to nibble pollen and nectar birds can snatch midair. Blossoms generating insect activity quickly catch sharp bird eyes watching for movement.
Shelter – The broad yellow sunflower faces provide shady hiding spots from predators and hot summer sun. And thick stems with huge leaves offer concealment for ground bird nests plus storm protection.
Perches – As blooms droop under the weight of swelling seeds, bending stems create convenient landing platforms for birds to temporarily rest their wings before foraging seeds. The bending also drops ripening seeds closer within reach.
Seed accessibility – Laden seed heads bowing towards the earth allows easier access for short birds like juncos and quail to nibble without overly stretching upwards. And dropped seeds below attract doves.
Color contrast – Bright golden yellow sunflower petals and centers pop visually against most backgrounds. This color contrast helps birds like goldfinches spot prime seed locations faster from distances above while hunting.
Fair seed dispersion – Multiple sunflowers spaced apart means birds can find their own personal seed stash rather than competing at a single packed feeder. More birds collectively eat their fill.
So beyond just producing the seeds birds crave, sunflowers themselves tick numerous boxes benefiting birds spanning shelter, insect supply, perching, and visual attraction. Now for growing tips…
Sunflower Growing Tips
Follow this advice for saturating sunflowers with sufficient sunlight, space, soil nutrition and moisture needed for reaching their full seed and bird supportive potential:
Sunlight – Sunflowers require 6+ hours of direct daily sunlight. Select south facing planting sites without shade trees or structures blocking crucial rays the towering plants follow across the sky.
Space – Give adequate room for root structures and foliage. Plant smaller varieties like dwarf sunflowers or sunflower ‘Mammoths’ at least 2 feet apart. For giant single head and multi-branching sunflowers allow wider 4+ foot spacing.
Soil – Sunflowers thrive in nourished, well-drained fertile soil. Mix in aged compost or manure before planting. Side dress growing plants monthly with balanced organic granular fertilizer to fuel heavy nutritional needs.
Water – Ensure consistent 1-2 inches of rain or irrigation weekly as seedlings establish and during the hot, dry weeks when sunflower heads first appear and ripen. Inconsistent water leads to smaller seeds.
Shelter – Provide windbreaks via strategic companion planting or staking tall stems if blustery weather threatens bursting seed heads before birds extract them. Prevent losing bounties overnight!
Follow those foundational growing principles supplemented by smart companion planting for pest control and pollination assistance. Then get ready to start reaping the seeds and birdwatching rewards!
When to Plant Sunflower Seeds
Sunflower seeds sprout best sown directly into warm garden soil rather than started too early indoors. Follow these timing guidelines for superior germination:
Where winter frosts end early – Direct sow sunflower seeds outdoors 2-4 weeks before the final expected spring frost once soil temperatures reach at least 42°F (6°C). Early April works for Southern regions while mid to late May is fine further North.
In short season climates – Start sunflower seeds indoors mid-spring then transplant seedlings outdoors once night temperatures remain reliably above 50°F to avoid losses to coldsnaps. This gives roots a headstart before summer heat hits.
For successive summer bloom – Sow a first batch of fast maturing sunflower seeds in spring for mid-summer harvest then make smaller plantings every 2-3 weeks up until early July. This ensures fresh seed heads open continuously for birds until fall frost. Stagger plantings!
Late sowings – Make a last sowing in early July directly in the garden if wanting pretty fall flowers but know late plantings rarely produce large, fully developed seeds before cold weather halts maturation. Still, birds appreciate smaller nourishment.
Sunflower Seed Harvest Tips
Know when to gather ripened sunflower heads bursting with nutrition for wild birds before seed losses:
Watch seed colors change – Sunflower seeds transition from soft green to plump yellow then darker brown as theyfinish maturing. Ripe dried seeds easily shake and rub free from pinkish brown withered blooms when ready for picking.
Note drooping heads – Heads bowing down when seed-heavy indicates prime ripeness. But don’t delay harvest past this point or bending stems may snap from the weight causing seed loss. Act when you see pronounced drooping.
Feel backsides – Mature flower backs transition from soft and smooth to scruffy and bumpy as they fully dry out. Rub a finger over the rear of faded blooms to feel for textural changes signaling ripe seeds.
Listen for rattling – Grab aging flowers giving their tops a vigorous shake. Ripe healthy seeds sound like maracas as they rattle loosely around Hollow dried sunflower cavities when you agitate old blooms.
Check birds – Observant birds frequently alert attentive gardeners to ripening seeds before people notice. Watch for flocks nibbling early patches and anime locations to prioritize harvesting first.
Gather before storms – Impending wet, windy autumn conditions easily knock over fragile towering plants causing seed losses. Be proactive cutting drying blooms ahead of forecasted inclement weather.
Use several ripeness indicators together to optimize harvest timing. Store freshly cut seed heads further air drying indoors upside down in breathable sacks. Then rub, shake and pick seeds by hand or with combs for bird feeders or sowing next year!
Birds that Eat Sunflower Seeds
Dozens of familiar bird species eagerly feast on homegrown sunflower seeds from backyard buffets or wild stands self seeded along field edges and tree lines. The most common birds seen filling up on sunflowers include:
Chickadees – Small sizes like the Carolina chickadee match perfectly with individual sunflower seeds for easy carrying and nibbling. And chickadees require the concentrated calories during frigid winter nights.
Nuthatches – White breasted nuthatches enjoy awkwardly dangling upside down or perching sideways stripping out nutritious sunflower meats from seed hulls piece by piece with their narrow beaks.
Northern Cardinals – A male and female cardinal couple with a nest full of gaping mouths to feed truly appreciate easily accessed sunflower nutrition. Cardinals routinely establish multi-generational family groups staying nearby provided year-round food.
Blue Jays – Beautiful blue jays singled out sunflower offerings as favorites long before bird feeders existed. Jays carefully pick intact seeds to hide away storing up to 70 at a time for future lean days. Their built-in pantries help jays survive seasonal scarcities.
Goldfinches – This brightly plumed finch uses its small, tweezer-like beak to delicately crack open sunflower hulls then selectively extract tiny seed hearts. Flocks gorge at feeders before migrating or on return trips back north.
Downy Woodpeckers – Skillful woodpeckers clasp sunflower feeder perches while methodically rotating seeds held tightly in their feet to chisel into the husks. The rich oils they extract provide pure energy supporting busy woodpeckersendless drill work duties.
Mourning Doves – Shy mourning doves scan carefully before descending to the ground below hanging sunflower plants or filled feeders where other jittery birds knock loose seeds they happily gobble up.
Keep backyard bird feeding sunflowers stocked and witness amazing feathered friends thriving thanks to nature’s perfect seed packed solely for powering avian engines!
Types of Sunflowers for Birds
With over 70 wild and cultivated sunflower species thriving across North America alone, gardeners seeking to establish bird buffets or shelters via homegrown sunflowers can pick preferred varieties based on:
Seed Size – The greater the sunflower seed, the larger and meatier its kernel.Prioritize cultivars producing bigger seeds best suiting larger birdbeak types frequenting your yards like cardinals. Or grow small seeded sunflowers for smaller finches.
Seed Flavor – Birds detect taste differences between bland versus rich, oily sunflower varieties. Seek out intensely nutty, aromatic heirlooms specifically bred for maximizing seed nutrition over pretty looks to attract birds based on scent and flavor.
Petal Colors – While birds don’t see colors identically as people, selecting sunflowers with contrasting vibrant yellows and exotic bi-colors still helps the flowers stand out visually against backgrounds to catch birds’ attention better from afar.
Bloom Size – Plant towering 10+ foot tall single headed giant sunflower varieties for dramatic vertical bird habitat. Or grow shorter sunflowers under 5 feet for easy reach. Mix both types to support more species together.
Bloom Times – Blend early blooming, mid-season and late flowering sunflower types together to extend nutritional offerings across the entire growing season for birds.
Petal Types – Grow classic single row petaled sunflower species along with double flowered varieties. Parrot sunflowers boast twisted, fringed petals. Mix unusual options to attract birds seeking diversity.
With the wide spectrum of sunflower seeds, blooms and growing heights available, getting creative blending types, colors and staggered planting dates ensures continuous polymorphed bounties flowing forth energetically fueling happy, healthy birds for months on end!
Conclusion:Planting Sunflower Seeds for Birds
In closing, feeding sunflower seeds, actively growing towering stands of sunflowers, and nurturing wild patches of self-sown sunflowers represents a fabulous opportunity to mutually support backyard birds. Home gardeners, farmers, and bird lovers alike find planting sunflowers specifically for attracting birds incredibly rewarding.
The bright yellow blooms popping up in summer visually signal birds that a bounty of rich seeds is nearing perfect ripeness for plunder. And the sheer towering height of mature plants means birds spot sunflower locations faster from great distances when needing to fuel up and recharge while out migrating or gathering food for nestlings.
Beyond merely producing oily protein and calorie-dense seeds, sunflowers happen to also support birds in diverse interwoven ways spanning shelter, insect supplies, perches, color contrast, seed accessibility, and dispersion. This mutually beneficial ecosystem interplay makes raising sunflowers a joy.
So grab some seed packets for sowing the perfect sunflower cultivar for your gardening zone and local bird species soon. Then prepare to watch amazing colorful episodes unfold as waving green stalks transform into stunning sunny powerhouses showering thankful birds in life-giving nutrition. When it comes to planting feel-good flowers with amazing avian benefits, it’s hard to beat sunflowers!
