A mix of millet, safflower and sunflower seeds in a pole feeder will entice both large and small birds. Smaller birds and songbirds are drawn to hanging feeders with sunflower seeds, whereas finches prefer thistles. Most birdseed mixes contain safflower seeds and cracked corn. To this base you can add any combination of the following materials, which can be found in bulk at hardware stores, pet stores or nurseries. Store birdseed in steel garbage cans with tight-fitting lids to ward off curious pests.
Sunflower seeds are economical and provide a good source of protein.
They attract chickadees, juncos, native sparrows and cardinals. Millet, a grain culled from forage grasses, is found in almost all prepackaged seed mixes. It attracts mourning doves, song sparrows, house sparrows and white-crowned sparrows. Thistle is a small seed enjoyed by goldfinches, sparrows, juncos and doves. Peanut hearts are very high in protein and are eaten by sparrows, house finches, doves and grackles.