I'm not sure which sunflower is most attractive to birds, but I prefer to grow the varieties with smaller seed heads. They are less likely to flop over, and they tend to look better, and last longer.

Ericwi - thank you responding. I think I may try a few different types.

maureen

Maureen, do you have bird feeders in your yard? I usually just transplant the sunflower seedlings that sprout under my bird feeders - that way I know they're varieties that the birds will enjoy. The goldfinches love 'em.

I didn't have much luck with birds eating my sunflowers this year, but the goldfinches loved the cosmos that I planted. I'm trying several different sunflowers this year along with a lot more cosmos.

Ginger

I have a related question: Do all sunflowers have seeds that are attractive to/good food for birds? Or just the ones that say "great for seed production!" or "great for eating!" on the seed packet?

And what about the fluffy, teddy-bear type sunflowers, that don't have a big central seedhead? Are they still bird-friendly?

I'd like to try some different types of sunflowers this year, but I'm trying only to add only things that will have some direct benefit for birds/wildlife.

I plant like 6 different kinds in my kitchen garden.The yellow finches eat seed right out of the flower

I've always liked a variety called Autumn Beauty, Mixed Colors. They grow 5 or 6 feet tall, are attractive, and the birds go for the seeds. Plant some zinnias too, they are easy to grow and attractive to seed eating birds.

I feed my birds Black Oil Sunflower...They love them.

Not sure if you can find a package of seeds for them though.

I always get sprouts around the bottom of my feeders. But my Husband pulls them out, so I have never had a chance to see what the flower looks like. He pulls them out because he is afraid that the flowers will give our neighbors cats a place to hide and wait for an unsuspecting bird..