Watching squirrels eat a bird feeder is a unique experience. It is equally as enjoyable as it is frustrating. But with safflower seeds, the problem is solved! Safflower seeds are a great way to keep squirrels and other seed bandits away. Plus, these seeds will keep cardinals and other bluejays happy.
Bring Hummingbirds Right To Your Window!
Check PriceWhy Is Safflower a Game-Changer for Cardinal Lovers
Save this article for later so you don't lose it. Enter your email and I'll send it to you now—plus you'll get my favorite backyard birding tips delivered to your inbox.
Safflower seeds can appear to be just regular seeds that are unremarkable at first glance; they are small, oval, and white in color. What they offer, however, is a nutrition source that is high in both protein and fat, just like what cardinals look for. The trick with safflower seeds is that they have a slight bitterness to them. This can be off putting to some, like bully birds and squirrels, but many birds such as cardinals, nuthatches, chickadees, titmice, and of course cardinals are drawn to and appreciate this characteristic.
Safflower seeds are loved by cardinals because they have the same nutritional value as the black oil sunflower seeds, which is their favorite food. Safflower seeds have thicker shells than sunflower seeds. This provides cardinals with a challenge to utilize their strong beaks to crack open the shells. Squirrels find the bitter taste of safflower seeds unappealing and will move on to easier meals instead.
Safflower seeds do not only provide beauty to a garden, but also beauty to the patrons of the garden by keeping many unwanted patrons away. Species such as grackles, starlings, and blackbirds, who will dominate feeding stations and clear bird feeders of food, will not visit feeding stations that contain safflower seeds. This allows many of the calmer and more beautiful birds such as cardinals to visit the feeding stations without competition from the more aggressive bird species. To backyard birders who are tired of watching their seed budget be wasted on unwanted visitors, safflower seeds have become the solution to the problem as they work without chemicals, tricks, or constant vigilance.
The hull-less golden safflower is a cleaner option with less waste, although tends to be more expensive. Both varieties will attract cardinals and not squirrels, so the decision comes down to cost and cleanup.
How to build a feeding station that is Cardinal Friendly and Squirrel Resistant
Just changing to safflower is half the battle. The other half is an integral setup that maximizes your success and minimizes your frustration.
Let's start with the best feeder. For cardinals, you can't go wrong with platform or hopper feeders where they can sit and crack seeds. They may also go to tube feeders if they have large perches or cardinal-ring feeders. Also look for feeders with metal parts as opposed to plastic; squirrels will chew through inexpensive plastic, safflower or not.
How far away you place your feeders from trees and barriers is important. Position your feeders at least 10 to 15 feet from barriers. Like the barriers themselves, tree branches, and fences are areas squirrels will launch from. Fence and tree branches act as launch points and come with the same warning. Squirrels have also been known to jump anywhere from 4 feet to within a 10 feet horizontal range. If they can reach the feeder through acrobatics, squirrels will jump and try to reach them regardless of what's inside the feeder.
Get our free Hummingbird Attraction Guide! Plus, we'll send you our best tips for attracting more birds to your yard.
Whenever possible, mount feeders on baffled poles. A great baffle (either dome-shaped above a hanging feeder or wrap-around on a pole) creates a physical barrier that even the most determined squirrels can't circumvent. \n\nSquirrels will look for other food sources because a baffle combined with safflower's bitter taste is a one-two punch.
Opt for pure safflower seed instead of mixes. Even though blended seeds might seem cheaper, they usually contain additives that squirrels love, thus undermining your approach. Cardinal birds will be comfortable eating straight safflower seeds, and you will see better results with single- ingredient safflower seed products.
Make sure to keep feeders clean and dry. Safflower seeds can get moldy when wet, and cardinals will not eat spoiled seeds. So, a feeder that has a good roof and drainage will help keep your cardinals healthy and keep them coming back.
Squirrels Don't Fall For Your Tricks: What To Do If They Start Eating Safflower
Some squirrels are more willing to adapt. Most squirrels will ignore safflower seeds. However, some will develop a taste for them, especially in times when food is limited. No need to worry! There is still other food you can offer to them.
Start by reviewing your defenses. Ensure your baffle is correctly positioned—dome baffles should be a minimum of 18 inches above the feeder, and pole baffles should be a minimum of four feet from the ground. Squirrels can exploit even small gaps and loose installations, so be meticulous.
How about a distraction station? Get cheap corn cobs or peanuts and place them in squirrel-safe feeders 20-30 feet away from the bird feeders. Lots of backyard birders report that as squirrels become better fed they also become less interested in working for the less appealing food. Consider it a small ransom payment for some peace.
If squirrels are still getting into feeders despite using safflower seeds and baffles, consider using weight-sensitive feeders that close feeding ports when heavier animals (like squirrels) try to feed. These kinds of mechanical solutions are effective for all kinds of feeder seeds and tend to work best when paired with safflower.
Try changing the times you fill the feeders. Since birds are most active in the morning, fill the feeders in the morning. Then you can bring the feeders inside at dusk to prevent squirrels from coming. This method works best if you are at home during the day and are able to maintain the schedule.
Bonus Benefits: Less Bird Bullying, Ground is Cleaner, Backyard is Happier
The safflower secret offers benefits that go far beyond squirrel management. Filter feeders and calm songbirds are less stressed by the aggressive species that safflower seeds naturally filter out.
Because of their aggressive feeding habits and bullying behavior, Grackles do not seem to accept safflower as food after trying it only once or twice. European Starlings, another invasive species, and social flock feeders, clear them as well, so they tend to avoid safflower as well. As a result, a much calmer feeding atmosphere is created, allowing cardinals, finches, and chickadees to eat without interruption.
Give safflower seeds a shot this season. Because less species eat safflower seeds, they create less mess. As a result there is less waste, less unwanted sprouting, and less rodent visitors. You'll also have an overall cleaner feeding area.
The mood and atmosphere of your backyard feeding station change with safflower seed. Rather than have to deal with all the constant stress, refills, and chaos of competition amongst birds, you can relax and watch your target species; the lovely cardinals in their striking red feathers and peaceful songs feeding. This is the simple change that most people want to get the backyard birding experience.
Try using safflower seeds in your bird feeder by placing them in a strategic location and watch as the population of cardinals increases and the squirrels move on to other feeders. Thank your backyard and your budget for bird seeds and happy birding!
