I live in Zone 6 in Mo. Why would my seed eating birds leave when they never did before?

Question

I mistakenly bought fruit flavored sunflower seed. I normally use black oil.

Answer 1

I have bought fruit-flavored seed before and it hasn't affected the number of birds at my feeders.Maybe there's a hawk or an owl in the vicinity,because the number of birds should actually be increasing as winter draws closer.If there's a predator ,you can't do much about it.Probably though,the birds have just found a temporary natural food source,or another feeder.They'll be back.

Answer 2

Black-oil attracts a lot of birds. Other mixes do not necessarily have that same attraction. This from my sources. Personally, I would give the fruit stuff away and go back to Black-oil

"Black-oil sunflower has a higher percentage of meat and is a very nutritious source of high quality protein. The softer outer shell makes it easy for smaller birds like chickadees, nuthatches, titmice, goldfinches, pine siskins and finches. The seed also boasts a high concentration of oil which is especially important in the Winter. Birds will use their oil glands to spread the oil over their feathers to keep them buoyant, dry and warm."

Answer 3

I don't think it's the change of seeds that made them leave, though it may have effected some of them. Have there been any recent changes to your area like construction, loose cats roaming around? Something may have scared them off.

Also, I don't know how it is in Mo. normally this time of year, but I live in Alabama (zone 7) and it's a lot colder than normal - our song birds and other seed eaters are smaller in numbers here too.

Answer 4

Well, it may be the food...or you may get hit with an early cold winter...change the seed & pray!!

Answer 5

you probably just have some predators around right now, just wait, your birds will return

Answer 6

I ATE THEM!
BLARG!