Nyjer (Thistle) Feeder for Attracting Finches
Nyjer seed was originally known as either thistle seed or
niger seed, and the name has been protected by its
manufacturers. The spelling is to avoid having people
mispronounce the name. It's a fairly small seed, elongated in
shape, that is high in energy from its high oil content,
which makes it an excellent food for small birds , the most
popular being the American goldfinch. The American goldfinch
has a great affinity for this seed, so much so that it has
been called "birdnip" as it can set off a feeding frenzy when
they find a source of this food. mainly eats grain (is
granivorous) but it is diurnal, as it will also sometimes eat
insects. Normally goldfinches will eat the seed small
annuals, including common weeds and some trees and grasses.
Some of the "weeds" they will feed on include thistle,
dandelion, and ragweed.
The small seed in nyjer feeders can also be used to attract
other many other small birds such as house finches, pine
siskins, and purple finches.
The goldfinch will often hang upside down while feeding,
which can be used to advantage when choosing a feeder, as
many of the competing birds will not. choosing a feed that
has the ports below the perches will discourage many other
birds.
One of the most common nyjer feeders are tube style feeders,
but these are specialized feeders that have smaller ports or
slots to control the small nyjer seed. Another low cost
option is a simple cloth mesh sack that is filled with nyjer
seed, that the birds can feed through, although these tend to
wear out quickly. Be sure to mount the feeder on a pole or a
high spot on the side of a building so that squirrels and
cats can't get to it. If you are using a pole consider adding
a
squirrel baffle to the pole
to discourage the critters. You can also find nyjer
feeders that have a cage built in to limit the larger
birds and squirrels. Don't try to use a plastic baffle
on the feeder, as squirrels only find these to be a
temporary inconvenience, and can chew through them with
little trouble.