Best Seeds and Ingredients for an Edible Birdhouse: What Birds Love the Most

Creating an edible birdhouse is a rewarding way to attract birds while providing them with a safe and nutritious food source. Choosing the right ingredients for your bird seed houses ensures that various bird species visit your garden year-round. In this guide, we’ll explore the best seeds and ingredients for crafting a birdhouse made of bird seed and what birds love the most.

Why Choose an Edible Birdhouse?

Unlike traditional feeders, an edible birdhouse is both a shelter and a food source. Birds can feed directly from the birdhouse covered in bird seed, reducing the need for refilling while keeping your backyard lively. These structures serve as a beautiful, functional, and eco-friendly alternative to standard bird houses and feeders.

Top Seeds and Ingredients for Your Edible Birdhouse

Different birds prefer different types of seeds. The right combination ensures a variety of bird species frequent your bird seed house feeders.

1. Black Oil Sunflower Seeds

• Highly nutritious and loved by a wide range of birds, including cardinals, finches, and chickadees.
• Easy to consume due to their thin shells.
• Ideal for creating a seeded birdhouse that attracts songbirds.

2. Cracked Corn

• A great source of carbohydrates.
• Attracts sparrows, doves, and cardinals.
• Best used as part of a seed mix in a birdhouse made of birdseed.

3. Millet

• Small and easy for birds to eat, making it perfect for sparrows, finches, and buntings.
• Works well in bird feeding houses as a base ingredient.

4. Nyjer (Thistle) Seeds

• A favorite among finches and goldfinches.
• Requires a special feeder but can be incorporated into the roof of a birdseed birdhouse.

5. Safflower Seeds

• High in protein and fat.
• Loved by cardinals and chickadees but disliked by squirrels.
• Great for adding variety to edible bird seed houses.

6. Sunflower Seeds (Striped Hulled)

• Striped sunflower seeds are harder to crack, making them ideal for larger birds.
• Hulled sunflower seeds are easy to eat and attract multiple species to your bird seed birdhouse.

Additional Ingredients for Binding and Decoration

While seeds are the main attraction, other ingredients help hold the seeds together and enhance your amazing birdhouses.

1. Natural Peanut Butter

• Acts as an adhesive for seeds.
• High in protein and energy, attracting a wide range of birds.
• Avoid peanut butter with added salt or sugar.

2. Gelatin or Corn Syrup

• A safe, edible glue that helps shape your birdseed houses.
• Best for crafting intricate birdhouses and feeders for sale.

3. Dried Fruits and Nuts

• Adds a decorative and nutritious element.
• Raisins, chopped almonds, and cranberries appeal to robins and woodpeckers.

4. Habanero Peppers (Optional)

• Mixed with seeds to deter squirrels.
• Birds are not affected by the spice but will keep pests away.

How to Assemble an Edible Birdhouse

1. Choose a Structure: Use a biodegradable frame or an untreated wooden birdhouse store product.
2. Apply a Binding Agent: Spread peanut butter or a gelatin mixture on the exterior.
3. Layer with Seeds: Press seeds firmly into the adhesive.
4. Decorate with Dried Fruits & Nuts: Enhance the look of your lighted bird houses.
5. Hang in a Suitable Location: Place it in a safe, shaded area near trees or shrubs.

Best Places to Hang Your Edible Birdhouse

• Near trees or bushes for natural shelter.
• In a quiet, low-traffic area to reduce stress on birds.
• Under a bird feeder roof to protect from heavy rain.
• Away from predators like cats and squirrels.

Where to Buy or Make Your Own

If you don’t want to DIY, you can find edible birdhouses and unique birdhouses for sale at specialty bird stores or online retailers. Many bird houses on sale come pre-assembled and ready for use. For seasonal options, look for Christmas birdhouses, xmas bird houses, or birdhouse Christmas editions.

Final Thoughts

An edible birdhouse is a fantastic addition to any backyard, attracting birds while providing them with essential nutrition. Whether you purchase a birdhouse made of bird seed or craft your own, selecting the right seeds and ingredients is key to creating an inviting bird haven. Try different combinations, and enjoy the sight of beautiful birds visiting your amazing bird houses year-round!