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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.
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Got Crowds at Your Thistle Bird Feeder?
Because of their sweet nature and very gentle disposition, American Goldfinches will quickly give up, rather than fight at a crowded thistle bird feeder. Larger tube feeders are great, but sometimes seed at the bottom tends to spoil. Multiple thistle feeders are a good idea, but can get pretty costly.An inexpensive and effective way to feed lots more finches is using thistle socks. The Finch Magic Thistle Sack is a heavy duty mesh thistle bird feeder with drawstring and toggle lock. Available in three convenient sizes, the black color is wonderful for viewing vibrant Goldfinches during summer months…the contrast is absolutely stunning! Hanging several of these feeders allows many more finches to feed comfortably than with one traditional tube feeder.
Don’t forget the nesting materials, as these birds are the last ones to breed and nest, waiting until June or July. And as always, a fresh water source will attract and entice more feathered friends to stick around your place.
- Bird Accessories, Bird Feeders, Nyjer Feeders, Thistle Feeders, Tube Bird Feeder, Uncategorized, Wild Bird Feeders
Got Clumping Thistle Bird Feeders?
Long thistle tube feeders are great for feeding lots of hungry finches, but many times the seed at the bottom tends to clump, quickly becoming damp and spoiled. Birds won’t eat rotten seed, there’s even a name for this phenomenon.Even seed distribution is the best strategy for any tube style feeder, including thistle bird feeders. The 3- tube feeder shown above allows full view of all 24 birds feeding at once…a pretty spectacular site.
Another way to alleviate the “clumps” in thistle bird feeders is to use a few ping pong balls. They work great to disperse the seed more evenly and keep it from gathering quickly at the bottom. A effective and inexpensive solution to clumping seed!
Birding Tips, Information & News
