Why Using Regular Seed Isn't Going To Attract All Types Of Birds

If you have multiple types of birds visiting your backyard, it can be overwhelming to figure out how to feed them all. One commonly sought-after solution is to buy a bag of bird food with a variety of seeds. However, regular seed doesn't attract all types of birds, and it often contains fillers that end up going to waste. Sunflower seeds are considered the most versatile components of regular seed and can attract many seed-eating songbirds, but these do not satisfy the dietary needs of another important type of bird: vermivores.

"Vermivore" means "worm-eating." Examples of birds that are vermivores include robins, owls, woodpeckers, certain warblers, and other beneficial types of birds you want in your yard. Depending on the type of bird, some may exclusively eat worms and bugs, while others might eat these in addition to regular seed. For example, robins are known to mostly feed off the ground by digging for beetles, earthworms, and spiders, but woodpeckers can eat mealworms, insects, berries, and seeds. Given the varying diets of different bird species, you might see only certain birds at your traditional seed feeders.

The key to supporting all birds that may visit your backyard or garden area is to offer a variety of foods that will satisfy the diets of multiple types of birds. To support vermivores, you might consider buying a mealworm feeder. You also have a choice of feeding vermivores either live or dried mealworms, which are key protein sources for these birds. Most people choose dried mealworms out of convenience, and they are also less expensive than their live counterparts. TradeKing Mealworms are one example. You may need to be patient, as these might not draw as much attention as live mealworms.

The benefits of having a bird feeder in your yard are many. But if you want to feed both seed-eaters and vermivores, you will need two separate feeders. A platform-style feeder works well for mealworms, but you can also use a large rimmed dish for this food source. Consider that you should use mealworms only as occasional treats for songbirds who also eat seeds, as you don't want to make the harmful mistake of overfeeding bluebirds with this food source. 

For seed-feeders, make sure you offer multiple types of seeds, such as sunflower seeds, corn, peanuts, millet, and safflower seeds. You might also consider contacting an ornithologist in your area who can recommend specific seeds geared toward the types of birds that are most likely to be around you during certain times of the year.