How to Prevent Seed Tossing?

[@user-lz6dm5lk9y]

I agree that buying quality seed is essential in every way. Many years ago in my salad days, I decided I wanted to feed the wild birds and purchased a huge bag of mixed seed at Walmart. None of the birds touched it. I felt like a total failure and never bought any more again. Then, years later, I stopped in at a local wild bird store, and I was telling this story to people working there. They told me that the seed I purchased was poor quality and had been stored in silos for 5-7 years. No wonder the birds did not want it! They knew it held no nutritional value. The seed I purchased at the local store was gobbled up. Lesson learnt. Now, I did find out that in an emergency, the birds will eat that awful old seed, but they have to be in dire straits. For example, the Winter of 2020 (and again in 2021) was one of the worst Winters we had in decades. I think a lot of wild birds perished that Winter. I heard about the storm that was coming, so I drove to the wild bird store to buy seed. I had not been there in a long time. To my chagrin, they had closed down, and there was no other store for at last 20-25 miles away. I had no way to get to one of the other stores, so I ordered BOS on Amazon. The freezing cold snow and ice hit, and I nervously awaited delivery of the seed, but FedEx lost the package. I ended up having to place another order, but by the time it arrived days later, the worst of the snow and ice was melting. It was then that someone at a wild bird store told me that in those sorts of circumstances, the birds are desperate. They are literally staving, so they would eat that awful seed from Walmart. I will always keep that in mind should we ever have that sort of record breaking cold again. I would buy the awful seed again in those sorts of circumstances, but only in those sorts of circumstances.

[@curiouslass4280]

Great advice!! I LOVE using the seed blocks. Not only are they great to help prevent seed tossing BUT they are also GREAT as there is never a bird feeder to clean!!!

[@travisbrewer5391]

The blocks were an epic failure for my backyard

[@neildbarker]

Great explanation as I've wondered why the birds in my area do this too. Mostly Chickadees and Nuthatches that I see doing seed tossing. Thanks for sharing.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

I tend to avoid the Brussel sprouts when there is anything else available!

[@MissouriBirds]

Very helpful. Thank you so much!!! I will stick with using different feeders for now-but I had a question. There is ONE seed mix that I adore-it is called “cardinal mix” by 3-D pets I think. So many birds love it-but yes there is more seed scatter with it compared to if I just use straight safflower or straight black oil sunflower. The reason why I think I’m biased towards it though is because the listed ingredients show vitamin A, and a slew of what appear to be other very helpful vitamins for the birds. However-For cardinals, house finches, goldfinches, chickadees, and titmice (the only ones that really visit that feeder with the mix), how critical are those added vitamins and is this something you recommend doing away with one I’m done with the bag-or is it worth it for them? I have multiple seed catchers and I still can’t catch all the shells sometimes (that goes for all my feeders tho-but every little bit helps, especially to prevent mice). Let me know if you think I’m overdoing it and don’t need to put out the mix. Thank you!

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

I am familiar with the 3-D company. They also make Wild Delight which I have been selling for over 20 years. The vitamin mix comes from a spray they treat their seed with when mixing it. I cannot honestly say that the birds benefit greatly from it, but it likely is good for them to some degree. They do make a hull-less version that is much cleaner and is treated with the same vitamin spray. The Wild Delight name is Deck, Porch N' Patio. I'm not sure about the 3-D version is called, but my guess is that it is close to that. Black Oil is the single best seed with the broadest appeal but it is messy. It certainly sounds like you have a good mix of birds coming.

[@knoxtheox897]

Your channel is so awesome thank you. I was given bird seed from a non birder as a present but it contains a lot of not so good seed, bug I don’t want to waste it, do you have any ideas?

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Thank you for the kind words. I would give the "waste" seed to the raccoons and opossums. Throw it our along the ground at the edge of some woods and they will take care of it!

[@tylerjamesnewton1422]

Just found this channel. You guys are fantastic! Thanks for the info - wish I lived close enough here in GA to visit and be a patron for your shop. . . Maybe I will look if you ship seed mixes / components?

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Welcome to the channel! We ship seed and many others out everyday!

[@tylerjamesnewton1422]

@@MarksBackyardBirdsjust found the shop, you got yourself a customer here in middle GA! Cheers

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Awesome and thank you for your support!

[@karinecarde1254]

Thank you so much, Mark 😊 God bless you and yours!

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Same to you!

[@clairabelle23]

Thanks for the vid, but long ago I started feeding sunflower hearts only (and meal worms in open feeder) and haven't had a problem with wastage until a recent flock of Siskins arrived ! Whilst I am delighted (never even seen a Siskin before) and whilst they appear to love the sunflower seeds, they still throw half of them on the ground and now I have a rat nesting right under my feeders ! I was really hoping for some kind of hack or gadget in your video, but don't wish to sound ungrateful and realise there simply isn't one, apart from the good advice you gave. I have tried 'confiscating' the hanging feeders in the hopes they will clean up their mess, but none of the sunflower fans much like to spend long on the ground. I am going to try putting a sweepable surface under the feeders, so at least I can remove some of the waste (it is also costing me a fortune !) in the evenings. Unfortunately, the birds rise early and so does the rat. Its not daft !

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

That is a unique circumstance for sure. Dove would help clean up the ground for sure

[@timmiller4979]

I live on a lake front, i have used store bought wild bird seed, its not cost effective due to the fact that I replenish the feeder 2 -3 x eeekly. Help me choose the right bulk seed mixture that can replace the store bought. Thank u Tim

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

@@timmiller4979 By far the most cost effective seed is Black Oil Sunflower seed. It is number one in all Seed Preference tests that have been done and there have been many. So many mixes include “junk fillers” that are pure waste. Quality mixes should be mainly sunflower with lesser amounts of safflower and shelled peanuts.

[@John-vn8vw]

Mark, Good info. I see you are in DSM. I travel there yearly to see friends. I will be in town next month. I might like to stop by and chat. I live in FL just north of West Palm Beach. I have a lot of seed tossing of the sunflower seeds mostly. Anyway Im considering making my own blend but have never seen a place that sells seeds in my area. I rely on my local big box store. The birds do live it and we have an active feeder with a decent number of species stopping by. Thank you

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

I would love to chat. Make sure to ask for me if I am not on the floor when you come in.

[@AmyWinehouse.914]

Buy just hearts and there's no mess left from the shells.I go for seperate seeds I never buy mixed not even quality.It's a lot cheaper to buy in bulk and by putting out separately you'll soon see what your birds prefer,then you can mix them if you want but i'd still buy separately.Also not all birds feed on a hanging feeder some like Blackbirds and Robins are surface feeders and alwyas have fresh water.I buy suet,calci and mealworms etc.. all separately and in bulk.I find suet goes down much better than fat balls I have gut feeling it's because suet is softer and easier for them to break down.If I put fat balls in a hanging feeder they hardly touch it but break them down and put in a dish and they'll take it.Also peanuts should be in a small hole hanging feeder so they can't be swollowed whole.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Good tips

[@BBRubyT]

Does the pectin help the seed blocks be less likely to spoil in rainy weather?

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

It does help repel water to a certain degree

[@Rottingboards]

Why do you have Des Moines Feed Company sign but your store is in Kansas City?

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Des Moines Feed Company does all of my custom see mixes and is our source for our basic seeds. Their quality control is fantastic and the cleanliness of their seed is unrivaled.

[@rustythelegend2225]

You wont believe man I spent so much on seeds and these ungrateful birds flap there wings around in it like if they are bathing... I was sooo angry...

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

That is unusual behavior.

[@mtbhillbilly]

I wouldnt say so theres loads of reason like there fighting over the feeder etc

[@SugarMollyHazel]

I got a question is there any difference between the nyjer/thistle seed or are they the same thing? It’s making me crazy. They seem to go after the nyjer bag seeds more then the tub which has the thistle in.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

No. What is purchased for bird feeders is Nyjer not thistle. The names are incorrectly used interchangeably.

[@barco581]

Mark, we had a mix of safflower and sunflowers meats and found the house sparrows would throw the safflower. To try to fix this we got pure safflower a few days ago and the now the throwing of seed is worse than ever. I read another review of pure safflower from someone is MA who had the same problem. For whatever reason the pure safflower is attracting way more house sparrows and they are literally sitting out there all day now. The house sparrow aren't just looking for the sunflower meats as they are eating the safflower like crazy. We still get finches and cardinals. We also feed pure black oil sunflower in another feeder and don't have a the same problem. What is going on?

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

I have found that if you go straight safflower, it is best to only put a small amount in at first because they will toss it out because they know they have found other seed there in the past. Generally two or three times of them not having any luck at that feeder they will leave it alone. The alternative is to spread some millet on the ground under the feeders. They prefer it and like it on the ground better anyway.

[@barco581]

@@MarksBackyardBirds great tip Mark and thank you. We have only been filling the feeder up a little with the pure safflower so it doesn't reach the perches and the cardinals prefer landing on the bottom lip of the feeder anyway. More cardinal time and way fewer sparrows now. We also put a mixed feed with millet on the ground and in a small tray feeder and most of the sparrows go there now and leave the safflower alone. (Will never be perfect with squirrels, starlings, and sparrows, but definitely an improvement from a few months ago when we first got started with one feeder with mixed feed.)

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

@@barco581 That is and excellent approach.

[@barco581]

@@MarksBackyardBirds this large wire mesh feeder has two chambers and three perches on each side. It seems only the sparrows and finches use the perch. Downy Woodpeckers cling to the mesh and pull seeds from the openings, cardinals use the bottom lip and sometimes grackles too. Would you recommend removing the perches? Half is safflower, other half is black oil sunflower. We are using a blended seed on top of a nearby table.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

@@barco581 Removing the perches is not a bad idea. The desirable birds you are wanting to attract will cling to the wire or use the lip. It may discourage the House Sparrows.

[@BBRubyT]

Where can I find a list of favorite feeds per bird species?

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Those lists are available from many companies and some are subjective. Audubon Society would be a good place to start.

[@MunchkinMoD]

Hello, I have notice at my feeding station that putting one type of seed in different feeders works best for me and I also use quality seed. Also at my feeders the birds don’t like the seed cylinder much I wished they did the last one I had out went bad. I might try it again because I really like them for winter cause I hate cold and the quickest I can get back in the better. Thanks for video it was informative.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Thanks for the input. The main reason I like to give so many options as not every solution works for every birder. I don't have great luck with the seed blocks but based on the number we sell, many people do. Thanks again

[@MunchkinMoD]

@@MarksBackyardBirds I totally agree. Plus I’m in another state to so everybody’s yards are different and birds preferences are different. For instance I have a nyjer feeder and I have woodpeckers, mockingbirds, house sparrows,chickadees, doves, starlings and other birds I would never think would eat that but they do. Who new? 😊

[@Masons4Liberty]

We have zebra finches inside and they throw so much seed on the ground I have to vacuum basically every day, any suggestions for finches to limit this ?

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Sorry. Really don’t have any knowledge of caged birds.

[@Kenbarbosa1]

I jusk asked a local bird store owner regarding using seed sticks and they told me that my finches would not get a complete diet with seedsticks that they are mainly used for snacks. Are seed blocks different that seed sticks?

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

I’m not sure what you are referring to with seed sticks. Seed blocks are generally a bag of mixed seed held together with pectin. They have the same value as loose seed.

[@Trump_Won_1776TTV]

what bird is in the thumbnail here?

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

That is a female Red-bellied Woodpecker

[@travisbrewer5391]

The birds in my backyard didn’t like the blocks.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

I’ve never had great luck with the blocks but many do.

[@JasonPruett]

what if one could attract various birds then feed them common seeds one might use in gardening and just let them distribute them and have the entire community do it until there is food growing EVERYWHERE! wouldnt that be a product that someone might buy bags of food seeds for birds and other wild life to spread? is it even possible to have an idea like this work ?

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

@@JasonPruett By landscaping with native plants that produce berries and seed heads you are essentially doing this. Most home owners want a neat yard while other may allow more wild growth.

[@JasonPruett]

@@MarksBackyardBirds thats true but i have seen some yards where it looks like a nice garden not just food but lots of nice plants and all. i used to locate utilities so seen a lot of yards

[@yolandagomez9255]

Is there a way to stop birds from dropping safflower and Blake oil sunflower seeds?

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Nothing full proof because not all seeds have a heart in them. When a bird picks one up, it knows and will just drop it. Some birds prefer different seeds so they will pick up a seed and decide they want a different one. Really feed good quality black oil sunflower by itself is probably your best answer for this issue.

[@yolandagomez9255]

@@MarksBackyardBirds I understand but what I’m trying to ask is , I feed safflower only in one feeder but alot seeds or shells end up up on the grass , I even have a seed tray. Maybe the safflower block would be better? I want to feed the cardinals too

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Seed cylinders are very clean. It may be your best bet

[@yolandagomez9255]

@@MarksBackyardBirds thank you

[@michaeljanowski8757]

Why don't you actually give us a real correct solution 😢

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Sorry you didn't find it useful, these suggestions have worked for countless over the past 40 years of doing this.