Ontario has plenty of birds that don’t migrate, they stick it out through snow, wind, and deep cold. In mid-to-late winter, natural food can get scarce, so the right seed choice can make your feeder feel like the hottest reservation in the neighbourhood.
Here are 10 common year-round Ontario birds and what to feed to attract them.
Note: “Top 10” can vary a bit by region (city vs rural, north vs south), but these are some of the most consistent winter residents across Zones 4–6.
1) Black-capped Chickadee
Best feed: Black oil sunflower, sunflower chips/hearts, peanut pieces
Why: Chickadees love high-energy seeds and will visit frequently all day.
2) Northern Cardinal
Best feed: Black oil sunflower, sunflower chips/hearts, safflower
Why: Cardinals prefer larger seeds and sturdy tray/hopper feeders.
3) Blue Jay
Best feed: Whole peanuts (in-shell or shelled), black oil sunflower
Why: Jays are big, bold, and love peanuts, especially in platform feeders.
4) Downy Woodpecker
Best feed: Suet, peanut pieces, sunflower hearts
Why: Woodpeckers burn tons of energy in winter; suet is the magnet food.
5) Hairy Woodpecker
Best feed: Suet, peanut pieces, sunflower hearts
Why: Similar to Downy but larger; also drawn to suet cages and peanut feeders.
6) Red-breasted Nuthatch
Best feed: Black oil sunflower, peanut pieces, suet
Why: Nuthatches love clinging to feeders and grabbing high-fat bites fast.
7) White-breasted Nuthatch
Best feed: Sunflower hearts, peanuts, suet
Why: A very reliable feeder bird; loves bigger, rich foods.
8) Dark-eyed Junco
Best feed: White millet, mixed seed with millet, cracked corn (small amounts)
Why: Juncos are ground feeders, scatter a little seed or use a low tray feeder.
9) House Sparrow
Best feed: Millet-based mixes, cracked corn
Why: Very adaptable; tends to prefer mixed seed and millet-heavy blends.
10) Mourning Dove
Best feed: Cracked corn, millet, sunflower chips
Why: Doves feed on the ground or wide trays and love easy-to-eat grains.
The simplest “one-bag” strategy
If you want a feeder setup that attracts the widest variety fast, start with a mix that already includes the winter MVPs:
1) Start with the Ritchie Peanut Deluxe (our #1 “bring everyone” mix)
It’s designed for the birds of Eastern Ontario and includes the biggest crowd-pleasers:
black oil sunflower + striped sunflower + safflower + millet + corn/wheat + peanut pickouts.
That means you’re automatically covering:
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Chickadees + nuthatches (sunflower + peanuts)
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Cardinals (sunflower + safflower)
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Blue jays (peanut pickouts)
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Juncos, sparrows, and doves (millet + grains)
2) Prefer smaller pieces for small birds?
Choose the Ritchie Coarse Mix
Same “variety” goal, but with smaller chunks that are easier for little birds to manage, while still keeping sunflower, millet, and peanuts in the blend.
3) Want even more action? Add these “upgrades”
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Add suet = brings in woodpeckers (and extra winter activity)
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Add peanuts (in a peanut feeder or tray) = upgrades the whole feeder scene, especially for jays, nuthatches, chickadees, and woodpeckers
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Add millet (or a mix that includes it) = helps juncos and ground feeders
(Peanut Deluxe and Coarse already include millet, so you’re covered.)
4) Want finches and other small-seed lovers?
Add our Finch & Small Bird Mix
This is our most popular mix for finches and other small birds, with seeds like nyger, flax, and canary seed, perfect for a finch feeder alongside your main mix.
Pro tips for more birds (and less frustration)
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Use multiple feeders: hopper/tray + suet cage + peanut feeder = more species (and less feeder crowding).
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Offer water if you can: a heated bird bath is a total game-changer in winter.
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Keep it consistent: birds return when your yard becomes a reliable stop.
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Place feeders smart: near cover (shrubs/trees) but away from places cats can hide.
Pop in and tell us what birds you’re seeing, we’ll point you to the best seed mix (and the right feeder style) for your yard.
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