1) very large striped seeds which are the regular ones. They are black and white striped.

2) tiny all black narrow ones, called oilers. These are quite small, and almost all birds will take them

3) hearts and chips. These are sunflower seeds like we get at the grocery, only they are damaged and not grade A type for humans. They are bits and pieces but no outer shell to make a mess. These are the most expensive. And highly desired and we only use them close to the house, carefully.

There are very good prices on oilers and hearts at WalMart. As good as at seed/feed stores.

Sometimes when I am feeling generous, I mix a premium finch food with the hearts, for the house. We have a narrow, tube feeder outside the kitchen. But the doves and black birds and house sparrows, have crowded out the nicer prettier birds there. They are basically PIGS... They will empty that feeder in a day, and we can't afford that anymore. So now I put oilers in there, and am carefully putting the other seeds in the smaller suctioncup type.

I have never had success with thistle. I think alot of it is stale by the time we get it in the stores.

We have a large wooden pole feeder in our backyard...for many years now. We get a cheap generic all purpose seed for it. The sparrows, and doves usually will go there.

I like the Doves...but man, they are such PIGS.... gad!

We also have alot of hawks, which are drawn to the feeders.
That is a sad fact of life, but sometimes they are very interesting to watch as well. I am not so upset when they pick off a dove. There seem to be so many of those, anyway!

The cardinals have not yet learned to come to my new suction cup feeders. I don't understand why that is happening? But time will tell.
.


The cats really get into watching this. It is better for them, than toys on some days!