Tanagers are colorful songbirds found in North, Central, and South America. There are around 240 species of tanagers that vary greatly in size, color, habitat, and diet. When it comes to bird seed, the answer depends on the specific species of tanager.
Quick Answers
Many tanagers will readily eat bird seed, especially fruit and nut-based mixes. However, some species prefer to eat insects and will largely ignore seed. Overall, tanagers are omnivorous and will consume a variety of foods including fruit, nectar, insects, buds, and seeds. Providing a mix of seeds along with other foods will attract the most species of tanagers.
Do All Tanagers Eat Bird Seed?
No, not all tanagers eat bird seed. Here is a breakdown by diet:
- Frugivorous tanagers prefer fruit and will eat bird seed mixes that contain dried fruit, berries, papaya, and bananas.
- Nectarivorous tanagers drink nectar and will sometimes eat bird seed for its high carbohydrate content.
- Omnivorous tanagers will readily eat bird seed along with insects, fruit, buds, etc.
- Insectivorous tanagers prefer to eat insects and will largely ignore plain bird seed.
So while many tanagers will eat bird seed, especially fruit and nut mixes, the exclusively insect-eating species will not. Examples of insectivorous tanagers include Scarlet Tanager, Summer Tanager, Flame-colored Tanager, and Vermilion Tanager.
Preferred Bird Seed Types
For tanagers that do eat bird seed, here are some of their favorite types:
- Fruit and Berry Mixes – Containing dried cranberries, cherries, strawberries,blueberries, etc.
- Nut and Fruit Blends – With sunflower seeds, peanuts, raisins, pineapple, papaya, etc.
- Nyjer – A tiny, high-calorie seed that nectarivores like.
- Safflower – Small white seeds that tanagers can crack open.
Avoid filler seeds like milo and wheat, as tanagers do not prefer these. Stick to food-based seeds they would naturally eat. Offering a blend provides nutrition and variety to attract the most tanager species.
Bird Seed Feeding Tips
Here are some tips for successfully feeding tanagers bird seed:
- Use hopper or platform feeders to dispense seeds.
- Also provide fruit slices, mealworms, or nectar to attract insect and fruit eaters.
- Situate feeders in shrubs or trees away from dense cover where predators may lurk.
- Scatter seeds on the ground for ground-feeding species.
- Clean feeders regularly to prevent mold and bacteria.
- Use quality bird seed blends and store properly to maintain freshness.
Following these tips will create an attractive bird feeding station for tanagers in your yard. Be sure to provide multiple food sources to draw in the diversity of tanager species in your area.
Do Wild Tanagers Eat Bird Seed?
Yes, wild tanagers will readily visit bird feeders stocked with appropriate seeds and other foods. In fact, setting up bird feeders is one of the best ways to attract tanagers into view for bird watching. Here are some things to know about feeding wild tanagers:
- Fruit mixes will lure the greatest variety of tanager species.
- Specialty nectar feeders provide food for nectarivores.
- Insectivores are more likely seen by chance than drawn to feeders.
- Tanagers prefer dispersed feeding across multiple feeders.
- Ground feeding tanagers appreciate scattered seeds.
With the right food sources provided, various tanager species will integrate bird feeders into their daily foraging routine. Feeders provide a dependable source of nutrition to supplement wild foods.
Best Bird Seed for Tanagers
Here are 5 top-rated bird seed mixes to attract tanagers:
| Bird Seed Mix | Details |
|---|---|
| Wagner’s Greatest Variety Blend | Blend of seeds, nuts, dried fruit. |
| Lyric Ultimate Blend | Features 20+ ingredients including fruit and nut pieces. |
| Kaytee Fruit and Berry Blend | Dried cranberry, cherries, banana chips, etc. |
| Audubon Park Songbird Blend | Assortment of seeds, rackers, berries, orange slices. |
| Kaytee Exact Rainbow Nyjer Seed | High protein and fat content. |
Be sure to regularly replenish feeders with fresh seed. Offering a variety of foods will satisfy the diverse palates of foraging tanagers throughout the seasons.
Conclusion
While not all tanager species eat bird seed, many will readily visit feeders stocked with preferred fruits, nuts, and oil-rich varieties like nyjer and safflower. Use quality seed blends containing natural food ingredients to attract the widest diversity. Combine offerings with nectar feeders, fruit, and insects. Follow feeding tips to create an enticing bird-friendly habitat. With the right bird seed and other foods, you can enjoy watching beautiful tanagers come to feed in your own backyard!
