If you want to draw finches to your feeders, try providing them with Nyjer Seed. Its delicacies attract American goldfinches, house finches and purple finches in addition to pine siskins and can be placed either in a tube feeder or platform feeder for maximum results.
Keep a feeder stocked with black oil sunflower seeds at all times to give finches something they crave, as these easy-crack-open seeds generate little waste below the feeders.
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Feeders & Accessories
As nyjer seed is so small, you will require a feeder with small ports or mesh covers in order to stop birds from scooping out entire shells and spilling them on the floor. Luckily, these types of feeders usually generate less waste due to this.
Not only will you need nyjer seed, but you will also require finch-friendly seed mixes such as our top picks: Audubon Park Critter Crunch and Lyric Fruit and Nut High Energy mixes contain smaller proportions of nyjer alongside other seeds that appeal to finches, pine siskins and canaries.
Black oil sunflower seeds – another favorite among songbirds – tend to produce less waste at feeders than other varieties, particularly striped sunflower seeds with thicker shells that are harder for birds to crack. Our tests showed that black oil sunflower seeds quickly disappeared, providing exceptional value per pound.
Nyjer Seed
No matter its name – be it niger, thistle or nyjer – this popular backyard bird seed must first undergo high temperature sterilization to avoid sprouting into an invasive thistle plant that could choke out native species and invade new ones.
Nyjer is a small seed from African daisy plants rich in oil that serves as an energy source for birds such as finches. These foraging birds utilize special feeders designed for feeding nyjer, or search through leaf litter looking for tiny seeds scattered among shells to find this tasty treat.
Nyjer bird seed can be the most expensive choice on the market depending on crop prices and availability, which is why it’s often mixed with other seeds in finch mixes or canary blends to reduce costs while drawing birds in. *Nyjer is trademarked by Wild Bird Feeding Institute.
Safflower Seed
Safflower seeds (Carthamus tinctorius) are an annual species of bird seed that is popularly included in wild bird feed mixes. Their small, white and slightly tapered shapes attract wild birds for feedings, and its hard shell requires them to crack open before reaching its edible meat inside. As opposed to sunflower husks that tend to accumulate under certain feeders, safflower husks tend to quickly dissipate or blow away over time.
By adding safflower seeds to your backyard bird feeder, it’s an effective way to attract cardinals, chickadees and titmice to your yard. They love the rich source of fats and proteins found within these seeds as well as providing energy sources to finches including American Goldfinches, House Finches and Purple Finches.
Safflower seeds boast a bitter flavor and distinct shape to deter blackbirds, grackles, European starlings and other pests from visiting your feeders – including squirrels. Therefore, these seeds make an excellent option in areas where these pests dominate backyard feeders.
Hummingbird ElectroNectar
Hummingbirds love this ready-to-use nectar that doesn’t require boiling or adding water – its delicious sweet taste pleases these tiny acrobats while its electrolytes nourish and hydrate them for optimal performance. Use in feeders to attract them!
The Kaytee Hummingbird Electro Nectar is designed to replicate flower nectar found in nature and attract hummingbirds without using artificial coloring or any added electrolytes, thus mirroring their fast-moving wings and unique flight patterns. Available as clear nectar instead of red for maximum effectiveness.
This hummingbird food features a sweet taste the birds adore and contains no artificial colors for an eco-friendly option. Easy to mix without boiling or adding water, saving time and effort when using pre-measured packets that produce up to 16 ounces of nectar at one time – guaranteeing you use exactly the amount required!
