Are you interested in learning more about black oil sunflower seeds for backyard birds?
If so, you’ve arrived to the correct place.
Nowadays, there is a wide range of food available for birds. Learning about various varieties will therefore benefit the birds in your yard, such as black oil sunflower seeds.
And you’ll
- Bring in additional birds
- Birds that are healthier
- Take care of the black oil sunflower seed issues
You can get all the information you need about black oil sunflower from this guide.
The choice of black oil sunflower for your bird feeders will thereafter be up to you.
Let’s start now.
What is black oil sunflower seed?
You probably guessed it already, but black oil sunflower seeds are the seeds of the sunflower plant (Helianthus annuus).
Sunflower seeds come in two varieties: black oiled and striped, which you might not be aware of.
The black oil seeds will be the main topic of this guide.
North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota are the three states where the majority of black oil sunflower seeds in the USA are cultivated.
The actual seeds are small—about the size of a fingernail—teardrop-shaped, and entirely black.
Do birds prefer black oil or striped sunflower seeds?
The striped variety of sunflower seeds is not preferred by birds.
Both kinds of seeds have an exterior shell that must be broken by birds in order to access the meat inside.
To begin with, the black oil version has a softer shell that more birds can open.
That’s not all, though.
For birds, black oil sunflower seed is beneficial.
In fact, black oil sunflower seed is recommended by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a way to draw backyard birds.
Black sunflower seeds are a superior source of nutrition for birds due to their increased oil content.
Increased vitality and healthier birds, or even winter survival, are benefits of the high fat content.
It really is that easy.
What Birds Eat Black oil sunflower Seeds
Black oil sunflower seeds placed in your garden feeders can attract a wide range of birds for you to observe.
This comprises:
- Finches
- Chickadees
- Woodpeckers
- Nuthatches
- Titmice
- Redpolls
- the pine siskins
You could even be able to draw in more birds, depending on the kind of feeder you choose (see below for more on that).
Watch out for:
- Cardinals
- Jays
- Crossbills
- viola finches
- Finch finches
- sparrows with white throats
- Black-throated bluebirds
The most frequent species of bird to expect are those, but you might also draw in some uncommon ones.
You’ll discover that all seed-eating birds are drawn to your feeders by black sunflower oil.
Will starlings eat black oil sunflower seeds?
Starlings will consume black oil sunflower seeds, as you shall discover.
But hold on.
They don’t really enjoy eating them.
In actuality, they have trouble entering the shells. As a result, starlings must work much harder to obtain the treats than they would with other kinds of seed.
Mix your black oiled seeds with some striped sunflower seeds if you truly want to scare off starlings.
The starlings will be even more deterred by the striped seed because it is much more difficult to eat.
Do Goldfinches like black oil sunflower seeds?
The good news is that black-oiled sunflower seeds are a favorite food of goldfinches.
They most certainly prefer eating it.
They go through a lot, which typically results in them making a mess of the shells.
Sunflower hearts are a fantastic substitute to provide if you want to stay away from this while still attracting the finches. For more ideas on how to draw goldfinches to your yard, see my guide to what they eat.
What birds will not eat Black oil sunflower seeds?
Actually, it is simpler to compile a list of bird species that avoid black oil sunflower seeds.
With black oil sunflower seeds, you won’t draw any of the following birds:
- Orioles
- Hummingbirds
- Bluebirds
- United States robins
- Mockingbirds
- Tanagers
- Warblers
You’ll discover that the majority of these birds don’t consume seeds.
When food is scarce in the winter, non-seed eating birds like wrens may consume black oil sunflower seeds.
Do bully birds eat sunflower seeds?
regrettably, absolutely.
The majority of aggressive birds, including doves, grackles, blackbirds, and house sparrows, will eat black oil sunflower seeds.
See my guide for tips on how to keep aggressive birds away from your feeders.
Do squirrels eat black oil sunflower seeds?
Squirrels particularly relish the challenge presented by seeds with hulls and shells, and black oil sunflower seeds are no exception.
If you enjoy watching the squirrels at your feeders, that’s fantastic.
You might want to think about utilizing any form of sunflower seed if you notice that squirrels are an issue in your yard.
In addition to that, you might think about employing a squirrel baffle. With this one, many readers are successful.
To Save For Later
What are the best black oil sunflower seed Brands?
The majority of the well-known brands of bird seed will feature a line of black oil sunflower seeds.
This comprises:
- Lyric
- Kaytee
- Auroville Park
- Farms at Meadow Ridge
The Wagner black oil sunflower seed, however, is the company’s best-selling brand on Amazon.
My recommendation is to be wary of purchasing less expensive brands whose seeds packs contain a lot of extra detritus.
To avoid clogging tube feeders, try to check bags for twigs, woodchips, and empty shells.
Just picture how displeased you’ll be if you paid for a lot of filler instead of bird food.
3 problems with Black oil sunflower Seeds
By now, you should be aware of the excellent nourishment that black oil sunflower seeds provide for birds.
But if you decide to put out black oil sunflower seeds in your feeders, you’ll encounter a few issues.
The primary issues are:
1. It’s messy
2. It draws insects.
3. It destroys plants and grass.
Let’s examine solutions to these problems.
How to feed birds Black oil sunflower Seeds
You can add black oil sunflower seed to your bird feeders in one of two ways:
1. In a mix
Although the majority of birds enjoy black oil sunflower seeds, I would strongly advise include them in a blend.
Your birds will enjoy the variety, and it lessens the mess that the shelled seeds cause.
This is an excellent method for luring a certain kind of bird to your yard.
Additionally, it might help keep some aggressive birds or squirrels away from the black oil sunflower seeds.
You can purchase pre-made mixtures, but be cautious not to pick one that contains too many filler ingredients, such as milo.
I suggest a handmade mixture of shelled peanuts, safflower seeds, and black oil sunflower seeds.
Check out why mixing safflower seed for birds with black oil sunflower seeds is ideal if you’re unfamiliar with it.
2. On its own
Offering solely black oiled sunflower seeds is simple.
You will undoubtedly discover that birds will eat them happily on their own.
But you’ll also discover that cleaning up the trash under your feeders will take a lot of time.
Along with the black oil sunflower seeds, I would always advise combining other seeds. if for no other reason than to lessen the hull muck
Hull Mess from Black oil sunflower seeds
Although the mess from your feeder might not seem like a major deal, it needs to be maintained frequently.
Let’s examine the two causes.
1. Attracting pests
Other animals will be drawn in by the mess on the ground left by your birds eating your black oil sunflower seeds.
Some are advantageous, while others may be detrimental to your yard.
If you leave some seed out, you can start luring rodents, mice, and raccoons into your yard.
These animals spread illness. As much as you can, try to keep them away from your feeder.
2. Killing grass and plants
Hulls from sunflower seeds are hazardous for your yard’s grass and plants.
Why?
They do, in fact, include substances known as allopaths. Any plants or grass that the toxins come into contact with on the ground will die.
If the hulls are not removed right away, you can start to notice that the grass beneath your feeders is fading.
Using sunflower hearts or kernels with the husk already removed is a simple workaround for this.
Best bird feeder for black oil sunflower seeds
You can use black oil sunflower seeds in a variety of feeders because they are highly adaptable.
I strongly advise providing black oil sunflower seed in a variety of feeders in your yard if you want to draw in as many birdfeeders as you can.
Feeders with platforms, hoppers, and tubes will attract a wide range of birds.
A hopper-style feeder is what I would suggest using if you just want to provide it in one sort of feeder.
Why?
These, however, typically feature a tray catcher design and a roof.
That implies that the annoying hull problem will be greatly reduced.
If I were you, I’d put this one in your shopping cart.
If you decide to use a tube feeder to distribute the seeds, think about placing a seed catcher tray underneath.
Where to Buy Black oil sunflower Seeds
You can purchase black oil sunflower seed in large quantities up to about 40–50 lb bags at a reasonable price.
You may simply find one of the best seeds you can provide in your feeder at your neighborhood grocery store.
But if you want to shop in person, I’d advise you to visit a store that specializes in birds or pets.
These kinds of stores carry premium products that have less fillers per bag than generic retail brands.
If buying black oil sunflower seed from a nearby store isn’t practical for you, you can simply find it online.
On Amazon, you can find some fantastic sales on brands of black oil sunflower seeds.
You should occasionally explore online bird specialist merchants as well because they occasionally have fantastic deals.
Final thoughts
I’d strongly advise you to purchase some, especially if you’re just starting to feed the birds in your backyard.
But keep in mind that utilizing black oil sunflower seeds in your feeders has some drawbacks.
The mess from the hulls is the biggest culprit here.
You can quickly resolve these problems by using the advice in this tutorial.
In the comments section below, please share your ideas on using black oil sunflower seed in bird feeders.
FAQ
What birds will eat black sunflower seeds?
Northern Cardinals are drawn to black-oil sunflower seed. Just a few examples include Black-billed magpies, Mourning doves, Gray catbirds, Evening grosbeaks, Boat-tailed and Common grackles, Bushtits, House finches, Pine siskins, and all varieties of chickadees, nuthatches, and jays.
Do all wild birds eat black oil sunflower seeds?
Although birds will eat all three, black oil sunflower seeds are the most cost-effective option. They have the thinnest hulls, are smaller than gray and striped sunflower seeds, and have the highest oil content (40 percent). Black oil sunflower seeds need to make up 75 percent of the seeds you put out for the birds at your feeders.
Do birds prefer white or black sunflower seeds?
Birds love black oil sunflower seed because: It has a higher oil content, which equals more nourishment; more calories in each bite; a more easily cracked-open, thinner shell, which requires less energy for birds to eat.
Do birds prefer black oil or striped sunflower seeds?
Birds love black oil sunflower seed because: It has a higher oil content, which equals more nourishment; more calories in each bite; a more easily cracked-open, thinner shell, which requires less energy for birds to eat.
Is black oil sunflower seeds good for bird feeders?
Black oil sunflower seeds are the ideal option if you want a bird seed that will draw a wide range of birds. They will undoubtedly attract a variety of birds to your feeder.