That
little black seed that is irresistible to goldfinches and pine siskins
is actually nyjer (sometimes spelled niger). It is often called thistle,
but technically it isn't thistle seed at all.
Nyjer seed comes from a yellow daisy-like
plant that grows in parts of Africa and India. The seed that is imported
to the US is heat–treated so it will not germinate or sprout, so
nyjer won’t create a weed problem in your yard. (If an occasional seed
sprouts, let it grow and you will have some happy finches.)
Nyjer is more expensive
than other seed, but a little goes a long way and it is a highly nutritious
seed for your birds. We have special nyjer feeders that have small
holes or are made with mesh so that there’s less waste and the tiny njyer
seeds poke out of the holes for the birds to eat. Goldfinches and pine
siskins love to eat upside down and cling to feeders which is why many
nyjer feeders don't have perches.
You’ll see that some companies
label their feeders as thistle tubes or thistle feeders, but they are
the same as nyjer feeders. At The Fat Finch we refer to them as nyjer feeders because it’s easier — have
you tried to say “thistle sack” three
times in a row fast??
Click here to
go back to The Fat Finch
Birdfeeders page.
