Black oil sunflower seeds for wild birds (18kg) - Emerald Farms

Black oil sunflower seeds are considered the number one wild bird food because they combine three key advantages. First, their high oil content (28–40 % fat) delivers calorie-dense energy that birds need to maintain body temperature during cold weather and fuel migration. Second, their thin shells are easy for even small birds like chickadees and finches to crack open, unlike the thicker hulls of striped sunflower seeds. Third, they attract the widest variety of species—over 40 types of songbirds regularly feed on black oil sunflower, including cardinals, nuthatches, jays, woodpeckers, and grosbeaks. No other single seed type draws as many different birds to a backyard feeder.

In Quebec’s Eastern Townships, black oil sunflower seeds attract a remarkable diversity of species throughout the year. Year-round visitors include black-capped chickadees, white-breasted and red-breasted nuthatches, downy and hairy woodpeckers, blue jays, and northern cardinals. Winter arrivals add dark-eyed juncos, American goldfinches in their muted winter plumage, pine siskins, common redpolls, and evening grosbeaks during irruption years. During spring and fall migration, you may also see rose-breasted grosbeaks, purple finches, and various sparrow species at your feeder. The thin shell of black oil seeds is particularly important for smaller species that cannot crack open striped sunflower seeds.

Black oil sunflower seeds work in virtually every feeder type, but some designs offer specific advantages. Tube feeders are ideal because they keep seeds dry and protected from rain and snow—a priority during Quebec’s wet spring and snowy winters. Hopper feeders hold larger volumes and are popular for high-traffic feeding stations. Platform feeders attract ground-feeding species like juncos and mourning doves that won’t use tube feeders. For squirrel management, choose a weight-sensitive feeder that closes under a squirrel’s weight, or mount your tube feeder on a pole with a baffle. Place feeders about 3 m from trees or shrubs so birds have nearby cover but squirrels cannot jump directly onto the feeder.

Refill frequency depends on feeder size, bird traffic, and season. A standard tube feeder holding about 1 kg of seed typically lasts 3 to 7 days during moderate activity, but may empty daily during peak winter feeding when hungry flocks are most active. A good rule is to check feeders every 2 to 3 days and top up before they empty completely—birds learn to rely on consistent food sources and will visit more frequently once they know your feeder is dependable. An 18 kg bag of Emerald Farms black oil sunflower seeds provides roughly 4 to 5 months of feeding for a single tube feeder at moderate traffic. During Quebec’s harshest winter months, you may go through the bag faster as resident and visiting birds increase their caloric intake.

Squirrels are persistent but manageable with the right strategies:

• Weight-sensitive feeders—these close their feeding ports under a squirrel’s weight while remaining open for lighter birds; this is the single most effective solution
• Pole-mounted baffles—a dome or cylinder baffle installed below the feeder on a metal pole prevents squirrels from climbing up; mount the feeder at least 1.5 m high and 3 m from any jumping surface
• Caged feeders—a wire cage around a tube feeder lets small birds through while blocking squirrels and larger birds like grackles

Avoid greasing poles or using hot pepper additives, as these can harm both squirrels and birds. F.G. Edwards stocks squirrel-resistant feeders and baffles in our wild bird section at both West Brome and Bedford locations.

The high oil content that makes black oil sunflower seeds nutritious also makes them prone to spoilage if exposed to moisture. Store your 18 kg bag in a sealed, airtight container in a cool, dry place—a metal garbage can with a tight lid works well and also deters mice and squirrels from raiding your supply. Never mix fresh seeds with old seeds in the container, as older seeds can introduce moisture and mould spores. At the feeder, only fill what birds will consume in 2 to 3 days during humid weather, and inspect for clumping or a musty smell before refilling. Clean feeders with a solution of mild soap and water every 2 to 4 weeks, rinsing thoroughly and allowing them to dry completely before refilling. In Quebec’s humid summers, this cleaning schedule is especially important.

The two types of sunflower seeds differ in ways that matter to both birds and birders:

• Black oil sunflower seeds have thinner shells that small birds like chickadees and finches can crack easily, higher fat content (28–40 % vs about 25 %), and attract the widest range of species—they are the preferred choice for most backyard feeding stations
• Striped sunflower seeds have thicker, harder shells that only larger birds with strong beaks (cardinals, jays, grosbeaks) can open; they produce more shell waste beneath the feeder but are sometimes preferred where squirrel pressure is lower since squirrels find them harder to open too

For the best results in Quebec’s varied bird population, black oil sunflower seeds like the Emerald Farms 18 kg bag are the better all-around choice since they serve both large and small species equally well.

F.G. Edwards stocks Emerald Farms black oil sunflower seeds in the economical 18 kg bag at both locations in West Brome and Bedford. The 18 kg format is the best value for year-round bird feeding enthusiasts who go through seed regularly. We also carry a complete selection of wild bird feeding supplies including tube feeders, hopper feeders, platform feeders, suet cages, suet cakes, nyjer seed for finches, and mixed seed blends. Our team can help you choose the right feeder setup for your yard and the species you want to attract. With nearly a century of serving the Eastern Townships community, F.G. Edwards is your neighbourhood source for everything wild bird related.