Other sunflower eating birds include cardinals, chickadees, titmice, nuthatches bluejays, sparrows, woodpeckers,grosbeaks, mockingbirds, and mourning doves. Not all birds appreciate these seeds, however. Grackles and some of the less desirable birds prefer millet to sunflower seeds, which means you can discourage these pests from hanging around your yard by the simple act of not feeding them. But when you're winter feeding birds, set out the slick black-oil sunflower seeds for them. These seeds are high in the proteins and oils that are necessary to keep their feathers in good condition during winter storms.
Sunflowers are very easy to grow.
When I'm growing ornamental varieties, I buy commercial seed packets, but if I'm growing bird food sunflowers, I simply plant some of the seed from the bags of bird feed. About 30 plants will keep the birds around my yard in rich oily seeds for most of the mild Texas winters. The National Wildlife Federation's Backyard Habitat Page includes a nice set of Sunflower growing instructions. A charming and sturdy little variety is the Maximilian Sunflower. The National Birdfeeding Society has a number of links on birdwatching and bird feeding.