Grey Stripe Sunflower Bird Seed is lower in oil and fat than black sunflower and is a better choice for inactive or caged parrots. Even still, Sunflower should not be the majority of your birds' diet as it's too high in oil and fat.
Sunflower as Birdseed: Birdseed varieties usually have a lower oil content — about 30 to 35% — owing to a higher proportion of hull to kernel. The seed is grey/black and white striped and should be plump and well-filled. Because birdseed sunflower demand is much lower than for oilseed, plantings are again often irregular and speculative, and the price and quality can fluctuate dramatically. Birds love sunflowers as they are full of fat. Some bird owners think that black sunflowers are harmful to birds, while grey stripes are ok. This isn't correct, black sunflower is more oily and fatty. Both types of sunflower are unhealthy if they make up a large part of a bird's diet.
Disclaimer: The 1, 2, 3, 5 & 10 kg packs are bagged in clear plastic bags.
WA customers: Please check quarantine restrictions in your area, as quarantine may not allow this item into your state or may require you to pay a very high fee to allow it through to WA. Order at your own risk.
Sunflower Helianthus Annuus: Wild sunflower is native to North America and was first cultivated around 3000 BC. It may have pre-dated corn as an Indian crop and was widely used for food and medicinal purposes. The Spanish took the seed to Europe around 1500 to show off as an ornamental plant. By the 18th century, sunflowers were produced on a commercial scale for crushing, particularly in Russia, where Peter the Great is credited with promoting the crop. Russia was the world leader in production and breeding for many years. It is believed that Russian migrants returned the crop to its homeland in the US in the 19th Century, and it was there in the 1970s that seed companies began producing hybrid seeds with higher oil content and greater disease resistance.
Little Known Fact: The seeds in the sunflower head follow a remarkable spiral pattern. This allows them to be packed into the head most efficiently. The seeds nestle against each other at the "golden angle" 137.5 degrees and head off in left and right spirals, the number of which are Fibonacci numbers.
Q. Is this sunflower suitable for planting?
A. Yes, it is suitable, and we have many customers who do use this seed for planting. However, it's important to remember that this seed is not specifically produced for planting and will likely have a lower germination rate than planting seeds sold in small packets by companies like Yates, Fothergills, etc.
Q. Would you know if the sunflower seeds you sell have been sprayed with chemicals or fungicides?
A. Our supplier does not know if the sunflower seeds they sell have been sprayed or not, but they assume that they most likely have been sprayed with something, since most produce is sprayed. The only way to be certain the seed has not been sprayed is to buy certified organic seeds, which are quite expensive.