Bird Seeds That Discourage Blackbirds

Blackbirds devour corn and mixed seed but are not so keen on safflower seeds.

While blackbirds are natural components of the bird community, their large size allows them to consume most of the seed placed in feeders at the expense of smaller birds. Members of the blackbird family of pests include grackles and brown-headed cowbirds. Starlings and crows also are sometimes lumped into this invasive category. Some types of seed have thick shells that are difficult for blackbirds to pierce with their beaks. By setting up numerous feeders in your lawn, with one that is inviting to blackbirds far away from the other feeders, your entire local bird community can happily dine.

Blackbird Diet

To discourage blackbirds from invading your feeders, first learn about their favorite foods. These pesky birds prefer cracked corn, suet, millet, black oil sunflower seeds and bread, states Wild Bird Watching. In fact, most seed-eating birds adore black oil sunflower seeds. Many problem birds are big fans of seed mixes. WildBirds.com recommends never buying mixed seed containing milo, because, of all the bird species, blackbirds like milo the most. To deter blackbirds from your feeders, either you can avoid offering any of their preferred food choices or you can set up a blackbird haven far away from the other feeders -- corn cobs hanging around a large feeder of mixed seed containing milo, cracked corn, millet and black sunflower seeds.

Safflower Seeds

Blackbirds do not enjoy safflower seeds because of their thick shell and also because of the taste. Other pests, such as squirrels, also do not stomach this type of seed. Adding safflower seed to a feeder will attract cardinals, grosbeaks, chickadees, doves, blue jays, house finches, buntings, titmice, red-bellied woodpeckers and white-breasted nuthatches. According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, house sparrows cannot eat this type of seed. Do not offer only safflower seed in your yard. If it is the only option, blackbirds will learn to adapt.

Striped Sunflower Seeds

Black oil sunflower seeds are probably the most popular food for seed-eating birds because their shells are easily to crack and they contain a high level of fat. Striped sunflower seeds, on the other hand, are not as widely liked. Blackbirds will avoid them, unless it is their only food option, because they have much thicker shells. House sparrows will avoid striped sunflower seeds as well, but blue jays, cardinals and woodpeckers enjoy them.

Other Interventions

In addition to switching seeds, you can do other things to deter blackbirds from invading your feeders. Try installing a weight-sensitive bird feeder. Such a device's perches collapse, preventing access to food, when a bigger creature lands on them. You can also purchase a bird feeder with a cage around it, making it possible for only smaller birds to access the feed, states The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Or you can rig your own homemade style of screening or caging around your current feeder. Clean up the seed from the ground as much as possible, as species like grackles and cowbirds tend to feed on the ground.

References

• The Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Choosing Bird Feed
• WildBirds.com: Pest Birds and Unwanted Birds
• Wild Bird Watching: Types of Bird and the Birds They Attract
• The Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Frequently Asked Questions
• McGill University: How to Attract/Deter Birds
• Ohio Department of Natural Resources: Who Will Come?