As a bird enthusiast, sustainability is likely an important factor to you, and as long as you’ve got the right seeds, birds should eventually find their way to it. You could potentially use a bird feeder you already have but aren’t currently using. If you’ve got your finch blend or thistle seed ready to go, you just need the right feeder to put it in. If yours is the former, you’ll want to buy pure thistle seed with no added products. Some seed feeders only have holes big enough for tiny thistle seeds to fit through, while others have sufficiently large ports for sunflower kernels. If you already have a finch feeder ready to go, consider its features before you buy bird seed. Bird seed manufacturer Kaytee leaves out canary seed in its Waste Free Finch Blend. Vendors will occasionally include canary seed in finch blends, but if you’re mixing your bird seed, some people suggest skipping canary seed, as sparrows and cowbirds enjoy it more than finches do. Finches may be able to open black oil sunflower seeds, but striped sunflower seed shells are too thick for them to crack. Finch blends often contain hulled sunflower kernels/chips. You can purchase it on its own or in a combination mix usually marketed as a finch blend. Whatever you call it, this seed is the top food every bird watcher wanting to attract beautiful finches should know. This tiny seed comes from the African yellow daisy, and while it may share the name, it is not related to the thistle plant. If you notice mold growth, discard the seed immediately and sanitize your feeder by rinsing and scrubbing it with a solution of one part bleach to nine parts hot water.Last update on / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API What Do Finches Eat?įinches, especially Goldfinches, love thistle, also called Nyjer or niger seed. Make sure to thoroughly clean your feeders on a regular basis to prevent seed buildup and bacteria growth. We recommend replacing Nyjer seed every few weeks to ensure it doesn’t spoil and harm the birds. If the birds aren’t visiting a new feeder filled with Nyjer, try changing the seed or buying a new bag before writing it off as a problem with the feeder. Once the seed dries out, birds will turn to alternative sources to feed. There is also a chance that the seed could dry out prematurely during the heat treatment process, potentially spoiling it before being bagged and sold. Thistle inserts are included on all Nature’s Way tube feedersīecause of its high oil content and thin shell, Nyjer is known to spoil quickly – even in as little as a few days. Wherever you decide to hang your feeder, make sure it’s secure and stable to prevent it being disturbed and spilling seed. Refrain from using seed blends with thistle inserts since larger seed can block the thin ports. If you’re looking for a bird feeder with more versatility than a mesh feeder, all Nature’s Way tube feeders come with thistle inserts that allow you to fill them with small seed like Nyjer. Oftentimes, pouring this small seed too slowly can cause more spillage.įunnel Flip-Top Mesh Finch Feeder (Model# FFM1) When filling bird feeders with Nyjer, try to pour quickly to prevent seed waste. The seed tray will catch any uneaten seed that falls from the feeder and provide the birds with another opportunity to feed. To prevent extra mess and wasted seed on the ground, look for a feeder that has a seed catching tray at the bottom. The best type of bird feeders for feeding Nyjer are mesh or sock feeders. Here is a list of bird species who are known to feed on Nyjer seed: As always, the type of birds that show up at your bird feeders are largely driven by your geographic location. Known as favorite feed for Finches, Nyjer seed can also attract other small-billed, seed-eating bird species. Nyjer/Nyger seed What types of birds eat Nyjer? To prevent the germination of Nyjer plant from birdseed, the USDA requires treatment in order to sterilize it before it can be sold and used to feed birds. Natively from Africa, the Guizotia abyssinica is an annual herb, grown for its edible oil and seed. Many birders choose to offer Nyjer in their bird feeders throughout the winter months since many non-migratory birds feed on the nutritious seed.Ĭommonly mistaken as thistle, Nyjer is not derived from the same plant species as the noxious weed. Nyjer seed (also referred to as Nyger or thistle), is a small, black seed high in oil content, making it an excellent source of energy for the birds who eat it.
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