Seasonal changes can be extreme, from different weather patterns to plant changes to mass migrations, and backyard birders should be cognizant of the changes in their feathered friends when they refill the feeders in different seasons. Bird's dietary needs change throughout the year, and changing the types of birdseed offered at backyard feeders can help meet those needs and attract a greater range of backyard bird species no matter what the season.

Note: Seed is not the only thing to feed birds each season; click on the associated articles to learn about other excellent bird foods to offer seasonally!

Spring Birdseed

In spring, migratory birds are returning to their breeding ranges or passing through on their way to breeding grounds much further north, while resident birds or those that have arrived in their breeding territories need to claim territories, attract mates, build nests and begin early nesting. All of these activities require plentiful food, but in early spring or after a severe winter, natural spring foods can be scarce and backyard feeders can be essential for foraging birds.

To meet birds' spring needs, high-calorie food options such as black oil sunflower seed and hulled sunflower seed are ideal, while mixed birdseed can accommodate many passing migrants. Seed mixes with added calcium can be especially valuable for nesting birds.

• See Also: Best Spring Bird Foods

Summer Birdseed

Summer birds need plenty of healthy food sources as they keep watch for predators, defend their nesting territory and nurture their hatchlings.

While natural food sources are in greater supply during the summer months, it can be difficult to provide for a full nest of chicks, and hot summer weather can cause some types of food to spoil prematurely, making them less valuable for feeding. Seed with less nutritional value can also be problematic because it does not provide sufficient nutrition for growing nestlings or overworked adult birds.

The best summer birdseed choices include black oil sunflower seed in the shell to stay fresh longer, mixed seed for more balanced nutrition to appeal to more birds and safflower seed that birds can enjoy but other feeder raiders, such as squirrels, find less suitable.

• See Also: Best Summer Bird Foods

Autumn Birdseed

In autumn, birds must prepare for migration and that often means entering hyperphagia and increasing body weight significantly to provide adequate fuel for the journey. Additional energy is needed for fall molting, when many birds shed their flashy breeding plumage for more camouflaged hues. At this time of year, many fall foods are still abundant, but later in the season that abundance wanes and birds may find resources scarce, making backyard feeders critical in compensating for that shortage.

Filling autumn bird feeders with high-calorie seeds such as black oil sunflower seed and hulled sunflower seed will help birds get all the energy they need. Mixed seed will appeal to a wide range of migrating birds that stop by a feeding station, and less expensive seeds such as cracked corn can help birds bulk up even on a slim budget.

• See Also: Best Autumn Bird Foods

Winter Birdseed

It takes a great deal of calories to maintain adequate body heat for surviving cold winter nights, and winter birds have fewer natural food resources to rely on just when they need good food the most. While many winter birds, including jays, nuthatches and woodpeckers, will cache food, their personal supplies are easily raided by other hungry wildlife, while heavy snow or layers of ice can make their food inaccessible.

The best seed for winter birds is hulled sunflower, which birds can eat immediately without expending crucial energy to crack shells. Nyjer seed is favored by many winter finches, and millet is a great option for ground-feeding winter birds such as sparrows, juncos and doves.

• See Also: Best Winter Bird Foods

Best Birdseed All Year

Because it can meet birds' nutritional needs throughout the year, black oil sunflower seed is the ideal option for year-round feeding. There are other types of sunflower seed that can be suitable as well, but they have their problems at the feeders. Striped sunflower seed is larger and has thicker hulls that can be more difficult for small birds to open, requiring more energy and effort for each bite. Hulled sunflower seed is already shelled, but can spoil more quickly in hot or wet weather and is a more expensive choice that may not fit all birders' budgets.

While birds will come to feeders no matter what is offered throughout the year, changing birdseed selections to meet birds' changing seasonal needs is the best way to ensure a healthy, well-fed backyard flock all year long.

Photo – Sunflower Seed © Sarah Sammis