When you feed backyard birds mixed seed, you quickly notice that the birds that dine at your feeder have definite food preferences.  Milo seeds are often the most numerous seeds left on the ground when it comes time to refill feeders.

       Milo is the seed produced by sorghum plants.  Milo seeds are easy to identify since they are round, and reddish brown in color.        Unfortunately, milo is not a favorite of most of our backyard birds here in Georgia.  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Backyard Feeding Guide, states that no birds seem to like it. The Cornell University’s Laboratory or Ornithology notes that their bird feeding studies found, although the seeds were eaten by cowbirds, house sparrows did not eat them. 

       Oddly, the Laboratory of Ornithology reported its seed preference tests found that milo is a favorite of many ground-feeding birds in the western United States.

       Unfortunately, milo is a main ingredient in many of the least expensive seed mixes.  Since milo seeds are largely ignored by Georgia birds, it is false economy to buy those brands containing large among of them.  Instead, before you buy your next bag of mixed seed, read the label on the bag. If it states that milo is a key ingredient in the mix, consider buying another brand. When you purchase a mixed seed mix containing no or only a small amount of milo, the birds will waste less seed.  In addition, fewer seeds will be left on the ground below your feeders to eventually rot and pose a health threat to the birds you are trying to help.

Uneaten milo seeds