Bird Seed: Oil Sunflower
If you want to attract the most birds with just one type of seed, use oil sunflower. It appeals to the most variety of birds, is the most durable in changing weather conditions and is efficient at providing energy to our birds. The only downside is the fallen waste from the hulls. Oil sunflower hulls are much smaller and degrade much easier than the larger, grey-striped sunflower variety that was used in bird feeding until the oil seed cultivar became widespread in the 1970’s.
The history of sunflower cultivation is actually very interesting. Being a native plant, the wild sunflower was cultivated by indigenous Americans for food. The seed was exported to Europe around 1500 where it became a popular cultivated plant. Russian farmers are credited with turning it into a commodity crop by increasing yields and oil content. The Russian seed came to the US in the late 1880’s and the first sunflower seed oil was processed in 1926. As the National Sunflower Association summarizes:
The native North American sunflower plant has finally come back home after a very circuitous route. It is the Native Americans and the Russians who completed the early plant genetics and the North Americans who put the finishing touches on it in the form of hybridization. Those early ancestors would quickly recognize their contributions to today's commercial sunflower if they were here.
Shelled oil sunflower is popular to those who do not want the waste from shells on the ground. The only drawbacks are the significantly higher prices especially for whole pieces and the fact that they spoil easier without the shell. Fine sunflower parts or “chips“ make a good substitute for nyjer in thistle feeders and do not spout in the yard. I will often mix the fine parts oil seed with nyjer to make my own finch food for the thistle feeders.