For starters: Black-Oil Sunflower is the most popular bird seed, and attracts a variety of birds to your feeder. Thistle or Nyjer is a small, high quality, seed that goldfinches love. Seed mixes are popular for beginners because they attract many different types of birds.
You can't feed exotic birds, rac or alligators. You can feed songbirds to your heart's content. Crows are, in fact, songbirds. This is not to say you won't get pushback for neighbors or your HOA, if you have one.
Feeding wildlife. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), feeding wildlife or laying or placing food, fruit, hay, grain, chemical, salt or other minerals is prohibited without written permission of the Department. (b) Placing of elevated songbird feeders of less than 1/2 bushel capacity is permitted.
In most instances, bird feeding is legal in the US. And there is no state or national law against hanging bird feeders in your outdoor space, though laws that prohibit feeding wildlife are sometimes interpreted to include birds.
Feeding wildlife is illegal in California. Section 251.1 of the California Fish and Game Code states that feeding a wild animal can be considered animal harassment.
It's not recommended to feed wild birds because it can cause health problems and even an early death (to the bird and its offspring). Most birds eat insects and nectar, seed or fruit. Feeding birds the wrong food changes the balance of their diet and can negatively impact their health.
(a) General rule. --Except as otherwise provided in this title, it is unlawful for any person to take or have in possession or under control either the active nest or any egg of any game bird or protected bird or to interfere with or destroy the active nest or egg.
A diverse mix of seeds will attract the greatest variety of birds. To avoid waste, offer different seeds in different feeders. Black oil sunflower seed appeals to the greatest number of birds. Offer sunflower seeds, nyjer (thistle) seeds, and peanuts in separate feeders.
If an HOA's governing documents say that bird feeders are not allowed, then the board can enforce this rule. However, if the HOA's governing documents allow bird feeders, then the board must allow them or amend the documents to prohibit them.
Another way to stop pigeons looking for fallen seed is to put some mesh or rocks at the bottom of the bird table or underneath the bird feeders.