Not all bird seed is created equal. If you’ve ever wondered why some seed disappears quickly while other blends sit untouched, the quality and type of seed matter. Choosing the right wild bird seed can make your feeders more popular while keeping your backyard birds healthy and well-fed. At The Los Gatos Birdwatcher, we specialize in fresh, high-quality bird seed that local birds love. Here’s what to look for when selecting the best seed for your backyard visitors.
Which Bird Seed Attracts Which Birds?
Black Oil Sunflower: Loved by finches, chickadees, cardinals, nuthatches, and woodpeckers. This is the best seed for attracting the widest variety of birds
Nyjer (Thistle) Seed: Thistle is all grown abroad and requires a special finch feeder with tiny ports. Goldfinch are attracted to thistle and will shell it to find the tiny food inside.
Millet: Ideal for ground-feeding birds like towhees, sparrows, doves, and juncos. Best used in platform or ground feeders.
Peanuts—Shelled or Whole: A high-energy choice for jays, woodpeckers, and nuthatches. Great for winter feeding or when birds are feeding young.
Safflower Seed: Popular with grosbeaks, and titmice. Many customers notice squirrels dislike it.
Suet & Mealworms: Provides essential protein for bluebirds, wrens, woodpeckers, titmice, and chickadees. Especially valuable in winter and during the nesting season (March-August) when chicks need to be fed.
Mixed Seed Blends: We have a variety of blends containing a variation of sunflower, peanut, millet, safflower, and more. We can help you select the right mix for your garden depending on your specific needs. “Pure Patio” is our most popular seed mix and contains sunflower hearts, peanut hearts, and millet all of which have been shelled.
You May Ask, “Why Not Use the Low Cost, Mass Produced Seed?”
The lower-cost wild bird seed can be found in grocery stores and big-box stores. These mixes keep the cost down by using cheap fillers like Red Milo and Cracked Corn which birds in our area rarely eat, leading to wasted seed. Wheat and Oats is another filler often tossed aside by birds. And shelf life is hard to determine leading to dusty or dried-out seed with no moisture content. In comparison, fresh, high-quality seed reduces waste, attracts more birds, and provides better nutrition.
Why Buy Bird Seed from the Los Gatos Birdwatcher?
-Locally Sourced. Volkman Seed is located locally in California’s Central Valley
-Freshness Guaranteed. Our seed is delivered weekly, ensuring it’s fresh and right off the truck!
-Supports Local Birds. Our blends are created specifically for the birds of Northern California.
-Better Value. High-quality seed means less un-eaten waste on the ground and more birds at your feeder.
-Convenience. Available right here in Los Gatos!
Want to see the difference? Stop by the Los Gatos Birdwatcher and try out our seed. We are also here to provide expert bird-feeding advice.
Not sure which seed is right for your yard? See more seed at https://losgatosbirdwatcher.com/wild-bird-seed/ Our team is happy to help. Visit us in Los Gatos or give us a call at 408-358-9453