Food: as discussed under HOSP Management, HOSP generally (though not always) prefer millet and cheaper seed mixes, but shy away from straight sunflower, safflower or thistle.

https://projectfeederwatch.wordpress.com/2012/10/09/do-feeder-halos-keep-house-sparrows-at-bay/

Get the answers to all your bird feeding questions.

• Sunflower Seed
  Black-oil sunflower seeds are more popular with birds than black striped due to the softer shell.

• Nyjer Seed
  It is popular with smaller finches,

• Mixed Seed
  Mixed seed often has a large percent of undesirable food, which many birds will simply toss on the ground to get at sunflower seeds and other preferred foods. This can result in a lot of waste, as well as a build-up of rotting seed under the feeder.

All feeders should be cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis (every 2 weeks) with a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water.