About Safflowers and Their Seeds
Safflower seeds are the seeds of the annual safflower plant, Carthamus tinctorius. With its beautiful red, yellow, and orange blooms, safflowers can be an attractive addition to gardens. The bulbous, thistle-like shape and scraggly foliage of the plant, however, can put off gardeners who prefer more groomed flowers in their landscaping. The seeds, on the other hand, are ideal for birds, and safflower is cultivated as a crop in many areas, including the United States, Canada, India, Mexico, Ethiopia, China, Argentina, and Kazakhstan. Safflowers require arid climates with seasonal rainfall, and most safflower crops are grown for the oil of the seeds and the dyes of the plant. Birdseed cultivation is growing, however, as more birders discover the value and usefulness of this seed. As birdseed, safflower seeds are slightly smaller than black oil sunflower seeds but similar in their tapered shape. They are white seeds and are high in protein, fat, and fiber that can provide superior nutrition to many different backyard birds.
Birds That Eat Safflower Seeds
While safflower may not be the first seed choice for birds accustomed to more familiar fare, once the seed is introduced, they can grow fond of it. Bird species that regularly feed on safflower seeds include:
Black-capped chickadees Black-headed grosbeaks Blue jays Carolina chickadees Downy woodpeckers Evening grosbeaks House finches Indigo buntings Mourning doves Northern cardinals Purple finches Red-bellied woodpeckers Rose-breasted grosbeaks Tufted titmice White-breasted nuthatches
Other bird species may also sample safflower seeds if they are available, but the best feature of these seeds is not the birds that eat them, but the birds that won’t. Safflower seeds have a bitter flavor and a different shape than other types of birdseed, and grackles, blackbirds, and European starlings will typically leave these seeds alone. This makes safflower an ideal addition to feeding stations where these “bully birds” might dominate feeders. Many squirrels will also avoid safflower seed and will not disturb feeders where safflower is offered, though chipmunks have been known to prefer the seed. Baffles and other steps to squirrel-proof a bird feeder are still wise precautions to prevent pests from taking advantage of the feeders.
How to Feed Safflower Seeds
Because many birds that prefer safflower are larger species that require adequate perching space, safflower seeds are best offered in large hopper, tube, or platform feeders. Any feeder that can accommodate whole sunflower seeds will also be suitable for offering safflower seeds. Tossing some of the seed on the ground near shrubby, sheltered areas can also be a good way to provide it to ground-feeding birds such as doves and quail. Because safflower seeds look and taste different than more familiar sunflower seeds, birds may take some time to get used to this new food offering. Mixing small amounts of safflower seed into a birdseed mix or with black oil sunflower seeds can tempt birds to try the new seed. The proportion of safflower to sunflower can gradually be changed as they accept the new food. At first, birders should be prepared for some spillage as birds sort through mixes to get to the most familiar seeds, but removing alternative foods can encourage birds to try something new.
Where to Buy Safflower Seeds
Safflower seeds are not often available in small bird feeding sections in grocery stores or other large retailers, but pet stores and wild bird stores usually stock this more unique food. Online birdseed retailers also offer safflower, often at bulk discount rates that are more affordable than buying the seed from limited facilities. If straight safflower seeds are not available, it can often be found in “cardinal blend” mixes that will contain a greater proportion of safflower seed than other mixes. High-quality birdseed blends will also usually contain some amount of safflower, though cheaper, less varied mixes are unlikely to have any of this seed included. It is also possible to grow safflowers as part of a birdseed garden, and allowing these seed-bearing flowers to go to seed naturally will provide a ready source of food for foraging birds. Plant safflowers in a sunny, well-drained area and only use minimal water, as they thrive best in arid climates and dry conditions. These are annual flowers but allowing the seed heads to remain on the stalks can permit some seeds to fall and naturally reseed the area for the next year’s growth. Nutritious and popular, safflower seeds are a great option for many backyard birds while their unusual shape and bitter taste can discourage less welcome birds and squirrels. This makes them a beneficial addition to many bird feeding stations, and the birds are always grateful for a new and tasty treat.
