Do Birds Really Prefer
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Is safflower seed the new kid on the block?
As a bird food, yes it is relatively new.
As a commodity, it is as old as time.
Safflower seed has a recorded history as old as time itself. Well, just about. Records show its history as a plant coming from the Euphrates River Valley.
Archeologist findings show safflower seeds and oils being used on mummies. Their yellow and pink flowers were used for dyes.
It is grown throughout the world. From Australia, Mexico, Asia and the USA.
Safflower seed is grown primarily as an oil crop. For cooking oils etc.
Like other seed crops, after the oil is extracted it is fed to livestock.
Okay then, if this seed is older then dirt, then why is it a newcomer as a bird food?
Safflower seed is a relative newcomer in the bird feeding industry.
Until the past three decades or so, safflower was strictly a food crop for people.
Growers and market experts decided they could make a few extra dollars and get a higher price by marketing it as a bird feed.
Great sales pitches make it out to be a bird's favorite food of choice.
You've seen the signs "Birds love it and Squirrels hate it".
Yes, It can deter squirrels to some degree.
Yet again, some squirrels don't mind at all.
Do cardinals prefer safflower seed?
Could be, but what if you don't have cardinals?
Then again, A study by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services found safflower seed to be only moderately attractive to birds.
If safflower is all you offered, then yes you will get some birds and a few may actually like safflower seeds.
I'm down the street from you and I have black oilers and peanuts and all sorts of goodies, then guess who has the birds?
That's right, I have your birds!
I'm not saying that birds wont eat safflower seeds, I'm saying that it isn't the preferred feed that marketers want you to believe it is.
Safflower seed has on average an 8 to 10 percent protein content and around a 38 percent oil content. plus high in B vitamins.
So it is a viable food source for birds, but not as valuable as sunflowers or peanuts.
It can cost twice as much as sunflowers seeds too.
A plus is starlings can't crack them open.
You will find safflower sold by itself, and mixed in higher end blends.
Don't let that fool you.
My experience shows me that it is the last thing the birds eat from blends.
Okay, now you know the scoop and can make your own educated choices on bird feed.
Return to Feeding Birds for more informatition on safflower seeds and other bird feed
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