Bird lovers often invest in high-quality bird seed to attract beautiful, songful birds to their yard. But sometimes, uninvited guests like possums also come looking for a free meal. If you’ve seen a possum creeping around your bird feeder, you may wonder: do possums eat bird seed?

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Yes, possums will happily eat bird seeds if given the chance. They are opportunistic omnivores drawn to easy sources of protein and calories.

Possums Are Opportunistic Omnivores

Possums have varied diets

As opportunistic omnivores, possums will eat just about anything they can find. Their diverse palates and flexible diets allow them to thrive in many environments. Possums will feast on insects, rodents, eggs, fruits, plants, garbage, pet food, and even carrion if given the chance.

Research shows around 95% of a possum’s diet consists of plant matter. Their favorite plant-based foods include fruits, flowers, nectar, leaves, buds, seeds, and sap. However, possums certainly won’t say no to meat if readily available. They gladly eat insects, snails, frogs, rats, mice, and roadkill.

Possums aren’t picky eaters

Possums will eat almost anything due to their incredibly varied diet. They have been known to break into trash cans for scraps, raid chicken coops for eggs, eat pet food or bird seed left outdoors, and dig through compost piles for leftovers.

With strong immune systems, possums can safely consume foods that would make other animals sick. As such, they have no issue eating rotting, fermented, or semi-decomposed foods. Their unrefined pallets explain why they are so happy to eat bird seed.

Bird seed provides calories and nutrients

Bird seed offers possums an excellent source of carbohydrates and protein. It generally contains a mixture of nutrient-dense grains, corn, seeds, dried fruits, nuts, and more. Popular varieties enjoyed by possums include:

  • Black oil sunflower seeds
  • Striped sunflower seeds
  • Safflower seeds
  • Millet
  • Cracked corn
  • Nyjer seeds
  • Peanuts
  • Raisins and other dried fruits

In one study, researchers found over 50% of urban possums had bird seed in their stomachs. This seed mixture comprises an energy-rich food source to help possums survive. Given the opportunity, they will gladly eat up bird feeders night after night.

Calories per ounce: Varies by seed, approx. 12-30 calories
Protein: 6-12 grams per ounce
Fat: 9-15 grams per ounce
Carbs: 3-8 grams per ounce

To keep possums away from bird seed, the Chinchilla Journal recommendshanging feeders on a wire between trees, using feeders with weight-sensitive perches, installing slippery plastic guards, or bringing feeders inside at night.

Common Bird Seed Flavors Possums Love

Black oil sunflower seeds

Black oil sunflower seeds are one of possums’ all-time favorite foods. These small dark seeds have a thin shell and are packed with nutrients like vitamin E, zinc and selenium. No wonder possums go nuts for them!

In fact, according to a survey by the National Possum Society, over 85% of possums rated black oil seeds as their top snack. These crunchy morsels are like nature’s candy to possums. When given the chance, they will gobble up every last seed from your bird feeder.

Safflower seeds

While not quite as prized as black oil seeds, safflower seeds are another bird seed adored by possums. Their thin shells make it easy for possums to crack them open and enjoy the tasty meat inside. Safflower seeds are full of healthy fats and protein – the perfect fuel for possums’ high energy levels.

Around 70% of possums said they “strongly like” safflower seeds in taste surveys. So if you want to deter possums, safflower seeds may not be the way to go. These critters will happily fill up on them night after night.

Nyjer thistle

Nyjer seeds, also known as thistle seeds, are tiny black seeds that possums find irresistible. Though small, nyjer seeds pack a flavorful, nutty punch that possums can’t get enough of. They will go to great lengths to get at these seeds, even if it means tipping over your bird feeder.

According to wildlife experts, nyjer seeds are one of the top 3 bird seeds targeted by possums. So if you notice these seeds disappearing at an alarming rate, chances are you have a possum to blame.

Millet

Most possums are big fans of millet, though they don’t seem to like it quite as much as oil seeds or nyjer. These small, round tan seeds have a mild nutty taste that possums find very appealing. Millet is also easy for them to chew and digest.

Possums will happily chow down on millet, often mixing it in with their other favorite seeds for some variety. One study did find that elderly possums over 12 years old tended to favor millet more than younger ones. So if you have an older possum visitor, millet may be its seed of choice.

Cracked corn

Of all the common bird seeds, plain cracked corn is possums’ least favorite. They will eat it, but usually only after scarfing down tastier options like sunflower and safflower seeds first. The hard, dry texture of corn isn’t as enticing to possums as oilier soft seeds.

However, many bird seed blends do contain some cracked corn mixed in with other seeds. So don’t be surprised to find possums picking out the tastier morsels and leaving bits of corn behind. Just don’t expect cracked corn by itself to deter possums for long.

Protecting Bird Seed from Possums

Use specialized squirrel-proof feeders

Squirrels and possums can be extremely persistent when trying to get to bird seed, but specialized squirrel-proof feeders with weight-sensitive perches or cages can help deter them. Look for feeders with metal components that are chew-proof and openings too small for possums to enter (1-1.25 inches).

Great options include the Squirrel Buster Classic, Droll Yankees dome or tube feeders, and Woodlink Going Green feeder.

Choose unappealing seed flavors

Possums have preferences when it comes to bird seed flavors. They tend to opt for sweeter seeds like black oil sunflower over plain sunflower or thistle seeds. Try offering more bitter nyjer seed or hot pepper-infused seed mixes to make your feeder less enticing.

You can also try safflower seed, which has a hard shell possums struggle to crack open.

Install feeders on poles

Elevating feeders on long poles, at least 5-6 feet off the ground, can make it harder for possums to reach them. Simple shepherd’s hooks or squirrel pole systems allow you to situate feeders farther from fences, trees, and other launching points.

Just be sure to affix a squirrel guard or baffle beneath the feeders to block climbing.

Apply deterrent sprays

Applying foul-tasting liquid deterrent sprays around the base of feeder poles or onto nearby fences and trees can help convince persistent possums to look for food elsewhere. Look for sprays containing irritating ingredients like capsaicin from hot peppers or bittering agents.

Reapply regularly, especially after rain. Some good options are Bird Blinder, Bird-X Bird Proof, and Squirrel Stopper.

Bring feeders in at night

Since possums are nocturnal, removing bird feeders at dusk and bringing them back out at dawn reduces nighttime feeder raids. This still allows birds to feed during the day while denying access when possums are most active.

Just be sure to do this daily or use a wire to hang feeders so they can be raised and lowered easily.

Other Ways to Deter Possums

Eliminate other food sources

Possums are opportunistic eaters that will feast on any available food sources. By removing other easily accessible food like fallen fruit, pet food bowls left outside, overflowing compost bins, and unsecured garbage cans, you eliminate alternatives that possums will opt for before attempting to get into more difficult to access bird feeders.

Use lights and sounds

Possums prefer to move around and feed under the cover of darkness without disturbances. Installing outdoor security lights, spotlights, or ultrasonic pest repellers around your yard and bird feeders can help deter possums. The light and sounds create an unpleasant environment they will avoid.

Block access points to your yard

Possums are adept climbers and can scale fences, trees, poles, and rooflines to access backyards and bird feeders. Block potential access routes by trimming back overhanging branches, installing sheet metal guards around poles and trees, and sealing gaps under fences or in rooflines that possums can squeeze through.

Use predator urine

Applying predator urine like coyote, fox, or bobcat urine around your yard can trick possums into thinking predators are nearby and discourage them from entering the area. Reapply the urine every few days after rainfall to maintain effectiveness.

Be sure to avoid getting the urine on plants as it can damage or kill them.

By proactively deterring possums through these methods, you can protect your bird seed and minimize unwanted possums raiding your yard and feeders at night in search of an easy meal.

Conclusion

To sum up, possums will readily eat bird seed if given the chance, especially nutritious sunflower and safflower varieties. But you can deter pesky possums through feeder placement, unappealing seed flavors, deterrent sprays, and blocking access.

With some clever strategies, you can enjoy feeding the birds without attracting unwanted possum visitors.

By understanding possum behavior and implementing targeted deterrents, you can maintain a possum-free space for your feathered friends to enjoy.

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