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Not So Boring Nyjer Bird Feeders
Traditionally, nyjer or thistle seed has preyty much been confined to the tube feeder…but it doesn’t have to be. Nowhere is it written in stone that nyjer bird feeders must be tubular in design!And here’s one I don’t really understand: caged nyjer feeders. Not many larger birds enjoy thistle seed. Right now there’s a spell (brief I can only hope) of the peskiest starlings in my yard and they don’t go near the nyjer bird feeder. Squirrels don’t like either, and that’s one of the beauties of feeding this non-germinating seed.
The stained glass and copper bird feeder shown here holds approximately 5 pounds of nyjer seed, which is a generous capacity. And unlike tube feeders, there’s never any clumping, damp seed at the bottom to be tossed and wasted. This feeder is hand made and absolutely gorgeous! The wooden Songbird Lanterns are stylish Nyjer Bird Feeders with modern architectural appeal. The attached pine cone even serves as an extra treat when suet is added to it.
Ditch the tubes if you’re looking for something truly unique, with quality that will last for years. Nyjer Bird Feeders make wonderful gifts for any backyard birder or nature enthusiast…for any occasion! A gift to be used daily, that gives back to nature, and is enjoyed by birds and their hosts alike. Never any worries of re-gifting with a high quality bird feeder!
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Finch Bird Feeders Have No Seasonal Preference
Unlike hummingbird or fruit feeders for migratory and some songbirds, finch bird feeders are a welcome addition to any garden or yard virtually year-round. You’ll be graced with the most gorgeous lemon yellow plumage in warmer months, only because Goldfinches are one of the few birds experiencing two molts per year. They’ve even earned the nickname “wild canary”.These colorful birds flock to finch bird feeders and chow down on thistle! In fact, they eat it almost exclusively and nestlings are fed the same. This food has added benefits; squirrels ignore it, and it is non-germinating which means that spilled food won’t turn into weeds.
Some of the longer tube feeders can cause problems with clumping, damp food at the bottom. If your feeder is not busy enough to have finches eat all of the thistle, (also called nyjer seed) on a regular basis, it can clump when it gets damp, molds and turns rancid. Then the attraction for our feathered friends will quickly fade. A feeder that distributes seed more evenly is one solution to this problem. The Finches Favorite 3-Tube feeder is a perfect example of this practice. Plus you can see all 24 birds eating at once, which is a truly spectacular site!
You can also try working with your existing feeder to alleviate this problem, Something I have tried is buying a few inexpensive ping pong balls and putting them inside my finch feeder. The thistle is fine, so it flows around the ping pong balls and is available to the birds. But the balls take up space in the feeder, reducing the amount of food it holds. The result: less food in the feeder means less clumping and fresher food. You can add or remove balls until you get the right balance of food and space for your feeder and your habitat.
Happy Birding!
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Does This Look Like a Finch Feeder To You?
Not even close! Doesn’t look anything like a finch feeder…no tube, no thistle, no perches. It’s really a woodpecker feeder.
Then why is this little goldfinch chowing down here? The dull plumage gives a hint – it’s the dead of winter and the suet sure does taste good. Look at the giant chuck in his mouth! Peanut suet with lots of fat and protein with extra calories to help keep warm.
Funny thing is, the large finch feeder stays in the yard year-round, filled with thistle seed. But when the temperatures really start to drop, suet is the preferred food of many feathered friends. Now that spring has sprung, that large thistle bird feeder gets filled twice a week, and the finches are eating me out of house and home!
Thanks to my friend for this great photo in my yard.
Birding Tips, Information & News
