08/05/2025
What is the difference between Oil Sunflower and Striped Sunflower?
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Black Oil Sunflower and Striped Sunflower are the two different varieties used to feed birds.
Most seed eating birds are attracted to black oil sunflower seeds. The black in the name describes the all black hull. The oil in the name refers to the higher oil content per gram in this smaller sunflower seed. Cardinals, chickadees, finches, sparrows, nuthatches, and many other birds prefer black oil sunflower over any other seed because of its high fat content and thinner shell which makes it easier for birds to open.
Striped sunflower is larger and has a tougher striped shell. Jays, titmice, cardinals, grosbeaks and woodpeckers love striped sunflower and can handle the tougher, larger shells.
Sunflower seeds can also come hulled, which means the shell has been removed. Hulled sunflower seeds will attract the same birds, but there is no mess left below the feeder.
Sunflower seeds are considered the number one choice to feed and attract the greatest variety of birds.
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Types of Sunflower Seeds:
There are two kinds of sunflowers grown commercially:
Oil seed sunflowers and confection sunflowers. Oil seed flowers are grown for oil production and bird seed.
Sunflower oil is low in saturated fats and does not have a strong taste. It is growing in popularity due to its heart healthy reputation. Confection sunflowers produce seeds that are large gray and black striped seeds that are sold for snacks. They are sold either in the shell, roasted or salted, or shelled. The Black Peredovic sunflower is grown for oil seed mainly. Black Peredovik Sunflowers Usually sunflower seed is a mixture of colors and some are striped. The black sunflower seeds hold the most oil and the Russian cultivar, Black Peredovik sunflower, are oil seed sunflowers used the most. It was bred as a sunflower oil production crop. The Black Peredovik sunflower seeds are medium sized and deep black. This black oil sunflower seed has more meat than a regular sunflower seed and the outer husk is softer so even smaller birds can crack into the seed. It is rated the number one food for wild birds by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The high oil content in Black Peredovik sunflower seeds is important to birds in winter as they will spread the oil on their feathers, increasing buoyancy and keeping them dry and warm. Other Black Oil Sunflower Seeds When the sunflower head matures, the flowers become seeds. These sunflower seeds can be a variety of shades but having all black ones is rare. The Red Sun sunflower cultivar has predominantly black seeds as does Valentine sunflower. There are always a few brown or striped sunflower seeds and these cultivars are not grown for oil as is the Black Peredovic sunflower. Even the common or native sunflowers can produce black seeds mixed in with the other colors. These will go first if you leave the sunflower head out for food. Squirrels, rodents and birds will eat the black sunflower seeds before anything else due to the higher calorie and fat content.
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Black oil sunflower seeds taste better to birds and are less healthy for them because they have a much higher fat/oil content than striped sunflower seeds. As with many things, offering black oil sunflower seeds in moderation shouldn't be a problem.
When compared to striped sunflower seeds, black oil seeds are meatier and have a higher oil content, giving birds more nutrition and calories in every bite. Black oil seeds also have thinner shells, making them easier for small birds to crack.
The general nutritional components of black oil sunflower seed are:
28 percent fat
25 percent fiber
15 percent protein
Calcium
B vitamins
Iron
Vitamin E
Potassium
Black oil sunflower seed can contain up to 24% protein and up to 50% oil.
Striped Sunflower Seed:
Crude Protein (Min) 16.5%
Crude Fat (Min) 25.0%
Crude Fiber (Max) 30.0%
Moisture (Max) 10.0%
The black oil sunflower seed a valuable and nutritious part of any backyard bird’s diet.
