If you've got a feeder in your Kamloops backyard, you already know how rewarding it is to watch wild birds come and go throughout the day. But not every bird is after the same thing. Knowing which species visit your yard — and what they actually like to eat — means you can attract more of the birds you love and get better value from every bag of seed you buy.
Here are eight of the most common wild birds you'll spot at Kamloops feeders, and the seeds that keep them coming back.
1. Black-Capped Chickadee
The Black-Capped Chickadee is one of BC's most recognizable backyard birds — bold, friendly, and almost always the first to find a new feeder. They're year-round residents in Kamloops, so you'll see them every season.
Best seed: Black oil sunflower seeds are their favourite. They'll also readily take sunflower seeds from mixed blends. Chickadees are quick feeders — they grab a seed and retreat to a nearby branch to eat it.
2. Dark-Eyed Junco
Juncos are ground feeders, often spotted hopping around beneath your feeder rather than on it. They're common in Kamloops year-round and their numbers swell in winter as birds move down from higher elevations.
Best seed: White proso millet is the top choice for juncos. Scatter some on a platform feeder or directly on the ground and they'll visit regularly. They'll also pick up fallen sunflower seed pieces from below the feeder.
3. House Finch
The House Finch is a cheerful, social bird — they usually show up in small flocks and the males sport a distinctive rosy-red head and breast. They're a feeder staple in Kamloops throughout the year.
Best seed: Sunflower seeds and millet are both strong choices. House Finches are also one of the few birds that genuinely enjoy safflower seeds, making them a good reason to add safflower to your feeder rotation.
4. Red-Breasted Nuthatch
Nuthatches are easy to spot — they're the ones walking headfirst down tree trunks and feeder poles. The Red-Breasted Nuthatch is a common visitor in the BC Interior, especially in areas near conifers.
Best seed: Sunflower seeds are the go-to. Nuthatches are also big fans of suet in the colder months, making them one of the more versatile feeder visitors.
5. American Goldfinch
In summer, the male American Goldfinch is one of the most striking birds you'll see in a Kamloops backyard — bright yellow with bold black wings. They're migratory, typically arriving in late April and staying through the fall.
Best seed: Nyjer (thistle) seed is the gold standard for goldfinches — they're drawn to it strongly and it's worth setting up a dedicated nyjer feeder if you want them regularly. They'll also eat sunflower chips.
6. Steller's Jay
Big, bold, and impossible to miss — the Steller's Jay is the flashy character of the BC Interior backyard. Iridescent blue and black with a prominent crest, they're confident feeders that aren't shy about their presence.
Best seed: Steller's Jays love sunflower seeds and will also go after peanuts and corn if you offer them. They tend to dominate smaller feeders, so a platform feeder works best for them.
7. Pine Siskin
Pine Siskins are small, streaky brown finches that travel in energetic flocks. They're unpredictable visitors — some winters you'll barely see them, others your feeder will be covered in them. When they show up, they show up in numbers.
Best seed: Nyjer seed is their favourite, and they'll often share a feeder happily with goldfinches. They'll also take sunflower chips and mixed seed blends.
8. Black-Headed Grosbeak
The Black-Headed Grosbeak is a spring and summer visitor to Kamloops, typically arriving in May. The male is a striking mix of orange, black, and white — a real highlight for backyard birders. They're less common at feeders than some species but worth attracting if you can.
Best seed: Sunflower seeds are your best bet. Black-Headed Grosbeaks have strong bills built for cracking seeds, and sunflower is a natural fit. Safflower seeds are also worth trying.
A Few Tips for Attracting More Birds to Your Kamloops Feeder
- Offer more than one seed type. Different birds want different things. Even a simple combination of sunflower seeds and millet will attract a much wider variety of species than a single blend.
- Keep your feeder clean. Old or wet seed can grow mould quickly, which is harmful to birds. A quick clean between refills goes a long way.
- Be consistent. Birds are creatures of habit. Once they find a reliable food source, they'll keep coming back — but if your feeder runs empty too often, they'll find somewhere else.
- Follow the 5-7-9 rule. Position your feeder 5 feet off the ground, 7 feet away from structures, with at least 9 feet of clear space above. This keeps birds safer and makes it harder for squirrels to get a foothold.
Stock Up at Purity Feed
We carry a wide selection of wild bird seed at our Kamloops and Merritt locations — including sunflower seeds, nyjer, millet, safflower, and quality seed mixes. Our team is happy to help you find the right seed for the birds in your yard.