Safflower is a wonderful bird seed to offer at your feeders. It draws in a lot of different species. It’s also a bitter seed that’s less appealing to squirrels. They tend to leave it alone!
Safflower seed also has a thick shell, making it hard for “pest” birds like House Sparrows, Starlings and Grackles to get into. So, if you’re getting rodents and birds at your feeders that you don’t want, safflower seed is worth a try. You can find it at any bird store, hardware store, or online.
Once you put out safflower seed, here are birds to keep your eyes peeled for.
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1. Northern Cardinals
Northern Cardinals love safflower seed. If you buy a Cardinal blend of seed at a store, it usually has a combination of sunflower and safflower.
Be sure to have a feeder that’s sturdy and with a large enough perch to support Cardinals. They’re bigger than other songbirds like Chickadees and Finches. For more on attracting Cardinals, I’m linking my guide below.
Related Content: 5 Proven Ways to Attract Cardinals to a Feeder
2. Black-Capped Chickadees
Black-Capped Chickadees are common visitors at bird feeding stations across north-central North America. Watch for them to snag a safflower seed to cache in a nearby tree for later. It’s fun!
Related Content: 5 Tips to Attract Chickadees to Your Bird Feeder
3. Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks
Rose Breasted Grosbeaks are likely to visit feeders for safflower seed in the late spring during their migration when they need extra energy.
Have sunflower seed, native berry plants, and shrubs in your yard for another chance to attract these birds.
4. House Finches
House Finches love eating safflower seed at my bird feeders. They also go bananas for sunflower seed and will happily eat Cardinal bird seed blends.
They’re often the first visitors at new bird feeders and are common and widespread across much of the United States.
5. Purple Finches
Just like House Finches, Purple Finches enjoy safflower seed at nearly any type of bird feeder (so long as you live in their range).
6. Tufted Titmice
Common feeder visitors across the eastern United States, Tufted Titmice love to snatch up safflower seed. Beyond feeders, they also eat insects, snails, spiders, and berries (Perky Pet).
Tufted Titmice are often in flocks with Chickadees, Nuthatches, and Woodpeckers (Cornell).
7. White-Breasted Nuthatches
White Breasted Nuthatches love safflower seed, sunflower seed, and peanuts at bird feeders. They’ll visit nearly any bird feeder.
They’re acrobatic birds. Watch as they hang sideways or upside down as they scale your feeders.
8. Red-Bellied Woodpeckers
Red-Bellied Woodpeckers top pick is suet at bird feeders, but they’ll gladly scoop up safflower seeds.
9. Mourning Doves
Mourning Doves will gladly eat safflower from the ground or in a tray bird feeder. They’re also partial to white millet and sunflower seed.
10. Blue Jays
My top pick for Blue Jays is to offer peanuts. But, they can also grow to like safflower seed at a bird feeding station. Just be sure to have a large hopper or tray feeder if you want Blue Jays. They’re bigger birds compared to Finches and Titmice.
Related Content: How to Attract Mourning Doves to Your Yard
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