Cracked corn: which birds eat it
Cheap, but draws crowds. Cracked kernel.
Which birds does cracked corn attract?
| Bird | Where it feeds | Best feeder |
|---|---|---|
| Mourning Doves | Ground or tray | Platform or tray feeder |
| Blue Jays | Ground or tray | Platform or tray feeder |
| Juncos | Ground or tray | Ground tray |
| Quail | Ground or tray | Ground tray |
| Native Sparrows | Ground or tray | Ground tray |
How do you feed cracked corn?
| Feeder | Ground tray, Platform or tray feeder |
|---|---|
| Squirrels | Loved by squirrels, deer and raccoons |
| Mess | Rots fast when wet |
| Storage | Keep dry; wet corn grows aflatoxin mould |
Feeders that suit cracked corn
Prices move constantly; the button shows the current figure.
Other seed and food types
Black oil sunflower · Striped sunflower · Sunflower hearts and chips · Safflower · Nyjer (thistle) · White proso millet · Milo (sorghum) · Shelled peanuts · Peanuts in the shell · Suet and suet dough · Mealworms · Fruit (oranges, apples, berries) · Grape jelly · Nectar (sugar water) · Mixed seed blends
Get the seed-by-bird cheat sheet
Which food brings which bird, the feeder it needs and how to store it, on one printable page.
Used only to send the checklist.Frequently asked questions
What birds eat cracked corn?
mourning doves, blue jays, juncos, quail and sparrows are the main takers. Offer only what disappears in a day. Wet, mouldy corn is dangerous to birds. Also attracts house sparrows, blackbirds and geese. Offering it in a ground tray gives the birds that want it easy access without spilling it for the ones that do not.
Do squirrels eat cracked corn?
Loved by squirrels, deer and raccoons. Put it on a smooth pole with a baffle 4 to 5 feet up, at least 10 feet from anything squirrels can jump from, or use a weight-activated feeder.
How should I store cracked corn?
Keep dry; wet corn grows aflatoxin mould. Keep any seed in a sealed metal can in a cool, dry place so mice, insects and moisture cannot reach it. Throw out anything that smells musty, clumps or shows mould, since mouldy food can make birds sick.
What feeder is best for cracked corn?
ground tray and platform or tray feeder. A low mesh tray a few inches off the ground keeps seed out of wet soil. Matching the feeder to the food matters: the wrong ports either jam or pour the food out onto the ground.
Is cracked corn messy?
Rots fast when wet. Cracked kernel. If mess under the feeder is a concern, hulled foods such as sunflower hearts leave nothing behind, and a seed tray under the feeder catches most of what is dropped.