• Birdseed Varietiesbird seed image by Alison Bowden from Fotolia.com
  
  Different types of birds prefer different types of seeds, depending on the bird's size, the climate and the nutrition composition of the seed itself. Commercial seed mixes are commonly available in pet stores and gardening shops and attract the most birds. Birds prefer a seed variety that is high in fat and protein content, and which can be easily digested and handled. The worst choice of birdseed is inexpensive, substandard and wasted seed, which provide a breeding ground for mold and bacteria.
  
  

Sunflower Seeds

• Sunflower seeds (helianthus annuus) are rich in vitamin E, vitamin B1 (thiamine), manganese and magnesium. Birds that eat sunflower seeds include cardinals, woodpeckers, goldfinches, chickadees and black-billed magpies.
  
  Sunflower seeds are commonly available in gardening centers and nurseries. They are grown easily, with individual seeds planted 1 to 2 inches deep and at least 12 inches apart. Late spring and early summer months provide seeds optimal temperatures to thrive. Black and striped sunflower seeds are rich in oil and preferred by birds as a food source during the colder winter months.
  
  

Nyger

• Nyger, nyjer or thistle (guizotia abyssinica) are all names used to identify tiny black seeds preferred by house finches, red polls, buntings and goldfinches. The seed is high in oil content, rich in calories, and a source of fat, protein, fiber and moisture. Its nutrient composition makes it a popular winter bird food, allowing birds to store fat during the colder months. Nyger is expensive due to its sterilizing cost and import taxes. The most cost-effective way of investing in nyger is by buying the seed in bulk or mixing nyger seeds with commercial birdseed mixes. Gardening stores and nurseries carry special tube nyger feeders that are hung from the branches of trees. These feeders are equipped with tiny feeding ports that prevent spills, therefore reducing waste.
  
  

Millet

• Millet (panicum miliaceum) is favored by juncos, finches, sparrows and buntings. It is a small, yellow seed that is offered in tube feeders, hopper feeders or sprinkled directly on the ground. Millet comes in several varieties, including golden millet, red millet and white proso millet. It is high in vitamin B-complex, calcium, carbohydrates, proteins and magnesium. Millet is the least expensive of birdseeds and one of the major ingredients of commercial birdseed mixes.
  
  

Safflower Seed

• White safflower seed (carthamus tinctorius) is smaller than a sunflower seed. Birds that prefer safflower seed include chickadees, cardinals, nuthatches, titmice and grosbeaks. Its oil-rich content makes it a favorite winter birdseed.