- 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!
- Bird Accessories, Bird Feeders, Finch Feeders, Nyjer Feeders, Thistle Feeders, Uncategorized, Wild Bird Feeders
Upside Down Thistle Feeder
Why do they make some bird feeders upside down? Basically it’s to discourage certain birds from that feeder. There’s an upside down thistle feeder made for feeding American Goldfinches only. House and Purple Finches are unable to consume seed from these perches. The sweet nature of the Goldfinch is to give up rather than fight for a spot at a crowded thistle feeder.With the upside down version, there’s no worry of anybody but a Goldfinch at the feeder. Pretty cool idea! They make a suet feeder like that too, it discourages Starlings and Grackles. It also protects suet cakes from the weather.
For your next thistle feeder….try an upside down one. Happy Birding!
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Thistle Feeders Feed More Than Finches
If you think Goldfinches are the only songbirds to feast at thistle feeders…think again!House and Purple Finches are known to crowd thistle feeders, which is why they make an “upside down” version to discourage them. Towhees and Pine siskins may also be seen at thistle feeders. But likely the most vibrant, other than the Goldfinch, is the Indigo Bunting. They can be seen at thistle feeders during summer months, and are more likely to visit your yard if there is a fresh water source too.
Check out this great video clip of a male Indigo Bunting at the Rainbow Finch Feeder.
Birding Tips, Information & News
