Food entry
Nyjer (thistle)
The finch magnet — needs its own special tube or sock feeder.
At a glance
| Brings | American Goldfinch · House Finch · Dark-eyed Junco |
|---|---|
| Feeder | Tube feeder |
How to offer it
Nyjer is a tiny, oil-rich seed that goldfinches and other small finches love. The seed is so small it pours straight through a standard tube feeder — it needs a dedicated nyjer tube with hair-thin ports or a mesh "thistle sock." Fresh seed matters: nyjer dries out, and finches will ignore a stale batch.
What to skip
Skip pouring nyjer into a regular tube feeder (it streams out the ports) and skip buying more than you will use in a few weeks — finches turn their beaks up at old, dried-out nyjer.
FAQ
Which birds does nyjer (thistle) attract?
American Goldfinch, House Finch, Dark-eyed Junco. The finch magnet — needs its own special tube or sock feeder.
What feeder should I put nyjer (thistle) in?
Tube feeder. Nyjer is a tiny, oil-rich seed that goldfinches and other small finches love. The seed is so small it pours straight through a standard tube feeder — it needs a dedicated nyjer tube with hair-thin ports or a mesh "thistle sock.
What should I avoid with nyjer (thistle)?
Skip pouring nyjer into a regular tube feeder (it streams out the ports) and skip buying more than you will use in a few weeks — finches turn their beaks up at old, dried-out nyjer.