Do you need a special feeder for nyjer seed?
First, please know that this tube finch feeder is designed specifically to use with Nyjer seed. Look at the feeding ports below. Standard tube feeders have large feeding ports so you can use a variety of seed and attract many different species of birds. Nyjer feeders don’t have large feeding ports.
Can you put nyjer seed in a regular feeder?
Attracting Birds With Nyjer To attract birds by offering Nyjer, select appropriate bird feeders that have small mesh or tiny feeding ports to release the seed without spilling. Either soft mesh sock-style feeders or more durable metal mesh feeders can be suitable.
What type of feeder is best for nyjer seed?
sock feeders
The best type of bird feeders for feeding Nyjer are mesh or sock feeders. To prevent extra mess and wasted seed on the ground, look for a feeder that has a seed catching tray at the bottom. The seed tray will catch any uneaten seed that falls from the feeder and provide the birds with another opportunity to feed.
Why is Nyjer seed so expensive?
In 1998, the Wild Bird Feeding Industry trademarked “Nyjer” as the name for the birdseed. Because of the costs of growing, processing and importing the seed, it’s the caviar of birdseed, one of the most expensive ones you can buy, which also means it’s upsetting to see it spilled on the ground.
Why are finches not eating nyjer seed?
Nancy Castillo, co-owner of the Wild Birds Unlimited store in Saratoga Springs, New York, and author of the blog Zen Birdfeeder, points out that Nyjer contains natural high-calorie oils that attract finches. When the oils dry out, the seed loses both its food value and its flavor, and birds shun it.
How do I attract goldfinches to my feeder?
Goldfinches are are big fans of bird feeders. Although goldfinches will eat most small seeds, they love thistle (Nyjer) and sunflower seeds. Keep goldfinches coming back by replacing uneaten food every three to four weeks. Make sure the seed stays dry.
Why do goldfinches stopped coming to feeder?
Neighbors: Another reason your birds may have stopped coming to your feeders is that your neighbors have started feeding birds and, feeding them well. Offering a bird feeding station filled with Black-Oil Sunflower Seed, nyjer seed, suet, and peanuts, will draw more birds than a single feeder with one type of seed.
Is nyjer seed in a shell?
You may also see it called nyjer or Nyger®. As small as it is, a niger seed does have a shell. If you think birds aren’t eating the seed because you see some on the ground, examine it more closely: you may be seeing mostly the thin niger hulls.
Where are the goldfinches 2020?
Most of these goldfinches migrate southward out of Canada in winter. They move to the United States, as far south as Florida, the Gulf Coast and the border with Mexico. South of Texas they continue several hundred miles into Mexico.
Why won’t goldfinches come to my feeder?
Finches don’t like dirty feeders and will avoid a feeder if it’s moldy or otherwise unclean. When it rains, seed can also become clumpy, and the birds won’t be able to pull seeds out of the feeder. Clean feeders keep birds healthy and attract foraging finches.
How can I attract goldfinches to my yard?
Flowers to Attract Goldfinches If you’re gardening with goldfinches in mind, seed-producing plants are essential. A few favorites include asters, coneflowers, sunflowers and, of course, thistles. They also gravitate toward grasses and weedy plants. Some bird-watchers also swear that yellow flowers attract goldfinches.
When should you stop feeding goldfinches?
And you will want to stop offering suet in summer, when the temperature is consistently over 80° F. It will melt and go rancid quickly. You may wish to switch to only a thistle sock or feeder in summer with Niger seed. The goldfinches are late summer breeders, even feeding small seeds to their nestlings.
How to make a thistle and nyjer seed feeder?
1 Gather all the tools and materials 2 Clear a working surface 3 Wash interior of soft drink bottle 4 Remove bottle label 5 Measure bottle height 6 Cut paper 7 Fold paper 8 Mark holes on paper 9 Arrange paper around bottle 10 Tape paper to itself and bottle
Can a nyjer seed feeder be left alone?
The top and bottom of the feeder are made with die-cast metal, which would see no rust or damage from little birds for years. Plus, it has a polycarbonate tube that won’t discolor even under constant exposure to the sun. However, since it serves only nyjer seeds, it’ll be left alone by critters and other birds that may terrorize the feeder.
Is it possible to make your own bird feeder?
Consider making your own feeders instead. These DIY bird feeder projects are a fun way to liven up your yard for much less than you’d spend buying a quality feeder from a store. Make A DIY Bird Feeder! It’s Easy.
What’s the best way to hang a bird feeder?
To hang the feeder, use a wire coat hanger. Cut a straight piece about 13″ long. Bend it into a ‘U’ shape. Then bend the ends 90 degrees. Slip the bent ends into the two holes at the top of the feeder and bend them up further so they don’t come out. You’re done!