Finches are among the most fascinating bird species to frequent and live in North America. Whether you are looking for yellow birds, or red-purplish ones, the finch family has it. Finches have always been one of my fascinations, so I have put out several finch feeders in my yard and in the bit of forest next to our home.
Having tried several feeders, I can say I am finally able to find the best finch feeder in the market today. Whether you are an avid bird watcher or a beginner, you’ll surely find a finch feeder that matches your needs in this list.
Related Articles
6 Best Finch Feeders Comparison
Top 12 Best Finch Feeder Reviews
Seabird Sanctuary is reader-supported. When you buy via the links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you.
1. Stokes Select 38194 Bird Feeder
The Stokes brand is easily one of my favorite. The folks at Stokes seem to really know what they’re doing, and you can easily see that a lot of thought about birds have been put on the products. Take the Stokes Select 38194 model. It was not created for specific birds, but it’s perfect for finches.
To attract finches, I place niger seeds (sometimes called thistle) in this feeder. The seeds fit perfectly as the holes are not too small for the seeds to get stuck, but not too big for them to just fall off. Although when finches come over and start taking their fill, some seeds do fall off. Good thing the feeder has a bottom tray that catches the falling seeds. Some finches even eat from the bottom tray so there’s not much waste.
The only drawback is that this feeder is a bit small. But what’s good about it being small is that not many finches flock to it, getting rid of the possibility of the feeder falling off the branch. Two of these could make your finches really happy.
Cleaning this feeder is very easy, too. You just twist off the top cover and bottom tray, and you have access to the inside of the feeder. I wish the cover would be wider though so it prevents water from getting the seeds wet. But since it’s a small feeder, the seeds get eaten pretty quickly so there’s basically no molding, which is great.
Aside from being able to attract finches, you’ll also be able to contribute to a good cause for the birds when buying from Stokes. The company donates part of their earnings towards bird conservation.
Pros:
- Durable
- Easy to clean
- Seeds don’t get moldy
Cons:
- A bit small
- The top cover doesn’t keep the rain out much
- HIGH QUALITY: Constructed of durable, high denisty plastic that will not rust and can withstand outside elements and the large hanging ring...
- SIMPLE AND HASSLE FREE: Wide opening makes refilling and cleaning the feeder easy so you can spend less time messing with the feeder and...
- ATTRACTIVE DESIGN: This yellow finch feeder is not only carefully designed to attract birds, but also looks classy and matches with any...
- PROTECT THE BIRDS: A portion of all Stokes Select proceeds is donated to bird habitat and conservation
- BIRD SUPPLIES THAT SET THE STANDARD: Stokes offer a wide variety of top of the line wild bird accessories, including bird feeder hangers,...
2. No/No Green and Black GB5F00340 Finch Feeder
If you’re the type who doesn’t like plastic fittings in your feeder, then the No/No Green and Black finch feeder is a great choice for you. This feeder is made fully of metal, from top cover, to mesh tube body, to bottom tray. I love the sexy design of its mesh tube, which allows finches to cling on the side or upside-down and eat comfortably.
It is just the right size for my needs, too. It can handle a great number of finches that flock in my yard. You can have a dozen goldfinches in your feeder but they can still eat comfortably. And it’s great to look at! You can easily use up a lot of seeds though as the birds really take to it.
Another thing I like is the baffle inside. So the idea is that the seeds from the top will fill the bottom levels up but still maintain some seeds on their level up to a certain point, so more birds can eat at once. You can see the center tube hole which allows this seed distribution, which I think is pretty nifty.
But because it can handle a lot of birds at once, it also means it would have to handle a lot of weight. Although it’s fully made of metal, the locking mechanism inside the top cover seems to just be glued on. So when the feeder got too heavy (freshly refilled with seeds and a dozen finches clinging), the mesh body got detached from the top cover and fell to the ground. This can be fixed by using superglue or screwing the ring to the top cover so the feeder can be usable again. Good thing the mesh was durable enough to not get damaged by the fall.
With its patented baffle, it’s a great finch feeder. If Perky Pet could just weld the inner locking ring to the top cover, it would have been perfect.
Pros:
- A lot of finches can eat at once, even if the feeder is just half full with seeds
- Made fully out of metal
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- The top cover can get detached from the locking ring inside
- No/No = No plastic, No wood
- Holds 1.75 lb of nyjer (thistle) seed
- Patented design ensures the highest quality
- Attracts both clinging and perching birds
- Feeds 10-15 birds at once
3. Stokes Select 38171 Finch Screen Bird Feeder
Since I really like the Stokes Select brand, it’s no surprise that I tried more than one from their line-up. The 38171 feeder is bigger than the 38914 (the first one in this list), and can hold one pound of seeds. Plus it has a metal cover on top that has been powder-coated with the color yellow to attract finches.
Cleaning comes easy with this unit as twisting the top and bottom cover off is fairly simple. Brushing the tube mesh clean is also easy enough. However, don’t screw the top too tightly as it has a tendency to get stuck. What I would do is unscrew the bottom first, remove all the seeds, then drop some oil into the screw portion of the top cover.
This helps the locks slide easily. I make sure to clean the oil off during cleaning to prevent the feeder from accidentally unscrewing when it’s filled with seeds.
The only drawback with this feeder is that the water holes in the bottom tray are a bit too small. Water fills up the bottom tray easily when it rains, causing the seeds on it to stick together and get moldy. In order to prevent giving finches an eye infection because of the moldy seeds, you’d have to clean this feeder more often when it rains.
Pros:
- Fully-made of metal
- Can hold 1lb of finch mix and nyjer seed
Cons:
- Top cover can get screwed on too tight
- Holes at the bottom tray to let water flow are too small
- Attracts goldfinches, house and purple finches, pink siskins and more.
- Holds thistle, NyjerPlus and finch mix.
- Holds up to 1.1 lb seed capacity.
4. Stokes Select Thistle Tube Bird Feeder
If one of your issues with your feeder is that the finches couldn’t figure out how to eat from them, then I have a solution for you: get the Stokes Select Thistle Tube Bird Feeder. Aside from having yellow top and bottom covers, this finch feeder also has yellow perches and feeding ports. This versatile feeder attracts more than goldfinches; it also appeals to chickadees and nuthatches.
Each yellow perch is faced with three port holes for the birds to eat from. The holes are small enough to prevent seeds from falling out, but are also comfortably large enough for the finches to get their fill. You can fill this feeder with finch mix or nyjer. It has a capacity of 1.6 pounds of bird food.
Although I usually favor mesh feeders, I really like this tube feeder as well. You can see that the perches are well designed. It is made of polycarbonate, so it is durable and rust-proof. Plus the bright yellow color that doesn’t fade and really attracts finches.
However, as with the Droll Yankees 021964410735 which is also a tube plastic with perches, this feeder can accommodate up to six finches at a time. I must warn you that even if you only have a few finches at the beginning, they will quickly increase. It’s like finches tell their friends where to get food. So if you have more than six frequenting your yard, I would suggest buying a second Stokes Select Thistle Tube Bird Feeder.
All in all, I believe this is the best thistle feeder. If finches and other birds flock to your place, it would be a good idea to buy two or three of these since it is affordable anyway.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Easy to clean
- Can hold 1.6 pounds of finch mix
- Has durable and attractive yellow perches
- Birds don’t get confused as to how to use it
Cons:
- Can accommodate a maximum of six finches
- Need to remove all parts to thoroughly clean
- CLEVER DESIGN: This Thistle feeder is specially designed for finch bird seed mixes and nyjer and its cheery bright yellow stands out in any...
- SIMPLE AND EASY: This large tube bird feeder is easy to clean, fill, and refill
- HIGH QUALITY: Roof top design on the portals sheds rain to keep seed dry and strong, rust-proof polycarbonate material is made to last
- PROTECT THE BIRDS: A portion of ALL Stokes Select proceeds is donated to bird habitat and conservation, so you can create a better bird...
- HIGHLY RATED: Stokes Select is a common household name for a reason - our birdfeeders, birdhouses, bird accessories, squirrel and ant...
5. Bird Quest SBF2Y 17″ Spiral Thistle Bird Feeder
When searching for bird feeders, many are concerned with the aesthetics, especially if they plan on placing the feeder in their show garden. One of the most elegant-looking finch feeders in the market is the Bird Quest spiral feeder. It looks like a fun feeder that the finches would not only enjoy eating in, but also playing around!
Since the perch is a continuous one, several finches can eat at the same time. The tricky part, though, is for the birds to find the port holes for eating. It seems like the holes are punched randomly throughout the tube. I had to punch a few more holes and the problem was solved. The finches can eat it standing up or upside down, which looks awesome!
It’s pretty easy to clean and maintain, too. Many people complain about the plastic cracking and getting moldy seeds with this feeder, but the trick to this is to not leave your feeders unattended for more than a week. Some beginners in birding think that they can just fill a feeder and leave it for weeks (or even months) on end! You should never do this, even if there are still a lot of seeds inside.
Check it at least once a week; more often if you had rain showers in your area. This feeder doesn’t have a cover that shields it entirely from the rain, and the drainage at the bottom doesn’t seem to be adequate, so if it gathers water inside the tube, the seeds can indeed get moldy. Proper maintenance is key to making sure your feeder continues to attract birds and doesn’t get damaged immediately. I’ve had mine for two years now and it’s not showing wear and tear, except for the fading in color. Not only is it elegant, this is the best thistle bird feeder for me.
Pros:
- Elegant design of spiral perch
- Port holes are few and hard to find (for the birds)
Cons:
- Drainage is not adequate
- No shield from the rain
- 17 inch
- Yellow Spiral Finch Feeder
- Holds 1.5 pounds of seed
- Easy to clean and fill
6. Perky-Pet 399 Patented Upside Down Thistle Feeder
Since we’re discussing upside down feeders, here’s one that you can count on. Perky Pet 399 model can accommodate two pounds of thistle feed for your finches. And since only goldfinches are the birds that can eat upside down, you can be confident that other birds won’t be able to shoo them away. In the beginning of course other birds would try, but they would eventually learn that it is really something that they can’t do.
I like that this tube feeder has a hanging hook that is attached to the tube. This way, I am confident that even with its two pound baggage and some birds darting on and off its perches, it can manage to hold its own.
Because of its two pound capacity, it can take as long as a week for the goldfinches to eat all the seeds (and mind you, we have a lot of finches in our area). It could also be because there are only six perches and six portholes. Even if two birds try to perch on one rod, one would eventually have to fly off.
However, the tube feeder itself is made of really thin plastic. So the first time I hung it, it worked great. But then after a couple of refills and cleaning, I noticed that the plastic started to feel like it’s about to crack. And sure enough, on the third refill, the tube part I was holding shattered. The weather (the heat and the rain) probably caused this, which was very disappointing. After all, you would expect an outdoor item to withstand the outdoors, right?
Watching birds eat from this feeder was great as they really seemed to take to it. I just hope they can improve the material and make it of thicker plastic so it can withstand the weather.
Pros:
- An upside down golden finch feeder
- Has a two-pound capacity
Cons:
- Feeder tube is made of thin plastic that is not weather-proof
- Holds up to 2 lbs of thistle seed or finch mix
- Six Upside Down feeding ports with perches designed to allow goldfinches to feed undisturbed
- Includes a weather resistant cap and feeding tube
7. Woodlink MINIMAG2 Magnum Nyjer Feeder
If you like the Woodlink Magnum feeder but think that it’s too big for your needs, then get the next best thing: the Mini Magnum Feeder. Much like its bigger version, this is constructed from steel and is highly durable. It has a powder-finished paint so it doesn’t peel off easily even after repeat washing and scrubbing.
Given its mini name also means it can handle a much lesser amount of seeds – ¾ pound to be exact. It’s easy to clean and fill, which is very important since your seeds won’t last long if goldfinches and house finches flock to your place. I use this even if we have a lot of birds in our yard because you would never have a problem of seeds getting bad as the birds go through them pretty fast.
It’s a medium-mesh screen so you can place finch mix and thistle seeds inside while allowing the birds to easily get them out. Some nyjer seeds do fall through the holes, but the bottom tray catches these. Some finches eat out of the tray so this minimizes the waste.
What I love most about this finch feeder is that it doesn’t put the load on the top cover; instead, the feeder is held up with a bar that is attached to the mesh body. So I worry less about the top cover getting detached from the body because of the weight, as is the problem with some feeders.
Pros:
- Made of durable steel
- Easy to clean and fill up
- Less worry about the feeder getting dislodged from the top cover
Cons:
- The holes can be a bit big for some niger seeds to fall through
8.Kaytee 100033941 Finch Sock Feeder
If you’re looking for a really cheap bird feeder, there’s no better option than sock feeders. Kaytee Finch Sock Feeder is a great choice, plus it is already pre-filled with thistle seeds so you can just hang them outside once you get home. Of course once you run out of seeds, you can refill these sock feeders easily as it has a drawstring at the top.
This is a great option if you don’t have a lot of finches in your area. If you have dozens of them, this sock feeder will only last you a few weeks or several refills at best.
After a while, the holes get stretched or become bigger with continued poking and perching. Eventually seeds will fall out. Although there is a chance some birds will pick on the seeds on the ground, you would still waste a lot of bird food.
However, this sock feeder is easy to clean. I have washed mine a couple of times to make sure the finches are given food in a sanitary manner. It is also a great way to attract finches since sometimes it takes a while for them to acclimate to mesh feeders but are easily taken to sock feeders like it’s a feast (I’m not sure why).
Pros:
- Already contains finch food so it’s great for beginners
- Really attracts finches
Cons:
- Not durable and will only last for a few refills.
- Holes get bigger because finches use them as perch as well
9. No/No Yellow YSSF00346 Straight Sided Finch Feeder
Do you hate the curves in No/No Green and Black Finch Feeder model GB5F00340 but like their patented baffles? Here’s a solution for you: the straight sided finch feeder version. Just as the name implies, No/No doesn’t make use of wood or plastic in their products, so this model is fully metal, from cover to body mesh to bottom. This is great material for a lifelong bird feeder, plus it also makes your feeder really durable even through the varying elements.
This finch feeder can manage up to 1.5 pounds of bird seeds. Same as the previously mentioned model, this feeder has the ingenious baffle that allows your seeds to be funneled down to layers that run out of seeds, while maintain some seeds on their level. Nifty, eh?
Finches in your area would enjoy eating 360 degrees around the body mesh. Perchers and clingers would find it comfortable eating out. You can easily get a dozen goldfinches, house finches and purple finches with this feeder.
But just like the previous model, I would have wanted the top cover to be wider in order to prevent rain from getting the seeds wet. Aside from that, everything’s good. It’s easy to clean and it lasts a long while. Mine’s been up for three years with no rust – which is amazing.
Pros:
- Seed leveling with inclined tubes within the mesh
- Easy to clean
- Can hold up to 1.5 pounds of seeds
Cons:
- Small top cover
10. Woodlink NAWLNT Audubon Die Cast Aluminum Finch Feeder
Finch feeders that can hold a great amount of seeds (a pound or more) should be held up quite nicely. And this can be done by making your hook or your hanging rod hold on to the body of your feeder and not just the top cover. This is what I like about the Woodlink Audobon Die Cast Feeder. One look and I knew it will hold its own really well, even while carrying a pound of finch mix.
The holes of the mesh of this yellow finch feeder is a bit wider than others, hence nyjer seeds can easily fall through. I would recommend using finch mix for this feeder. It would also pay to be careful with placing seeds into the feeder. What I do is place the feeder above the sack of seeds when refilling so that anything that falls through the holes can be easily caught to prevent wastage.
One thing that surprised me though is that the paint chipped so easily. Not only is it unsightly, but chipped paint is unhealthy for birds. You wouldn’t want the birds to eat seeds that have chipped paint over them, right? You’re also risking rusting over the exposed metal.
I purchased two of these and noticed that one of them was lined up crookedly. You would know it was not intended because the other one is not like that and birds are able to eat from the one properly lined up. It seems that the quality control for this product is not as good.
You can’t place the bird food from the bottom of the feeder since it is screwed tight. You can only place food through the top, unless it’s alright for you to take your screwdriver out every time you’d like to put bird food through the bottom.
Pros:
- Carries its weight perfectly well
- Can hold a pound of finch mix
Cons:
- Paint peels off easily
- Bottom is screwed to the mesh body
11. Droll Yankees DROCJTHM15Y Finch Feeder
Finches are clinging birds. They can cling on almost anything as long as it’s small enough for their feet to encircle. However, if you feel that birds in your area need more support, you can always go for a bird feeder that has perches. Droll Yankees 021964410735 is one of those.
Aside from having aluminum perches (6 of them, actually), this feeder utilizes a plastic tube feeder, not the mesh type. From where finches can perch, they will be able to see port holes to eat from right on the level of their beaks.
The best thing about this feeder is that it is squirrel and raccoon free. The problem with mesh feeders is that critters are able to destroy the mesh to get to the seeds. They won’t be able to do that with this tube feeder.
Droll Yankees offer a lifetime warranty against squirrel damage, so if ever yours get damaged because of squirrels, you can always call the company and request for a replacement. Of course, only the tube part will be replaced since the top and bottom covers are made of metal and cannot be damaged by critters.
One drawback to using this feeder is that it can only accommodate up to six finches at a time. Some finches would fight over the perches, while others would wait their turn. Because of the perches (which pass through the insides of the tube), cleaning this feeder can be trickier than most. You can to pull the rods from the tube to clean the insides properly.
But the overall build of this finch feeder is great. And with a lifetime squirrel damage warranty, it’s worth the price than cheaper models.
Pros:
- Offers a lifetime squirrel damage warranty
- Very well built
- Made in the US
Cons:
- Only six finches can eat at a time
12. Woodlink NATUBE20NB Audubon Nyjer Thistle Finch Feeder
If you want to deliberately have your finches eat upside-down, then the Audobon Tails Up Finch Feeder from Woodlink is the one you need. Finches are the only ones who can eat in an inverted position, so you can be sure that other birds won’t eat from this feeder except American Goldfinches. This is a great solution for those who have tons of other birds, such as sparrows, chasing the finches away. Plus it’s fun to watch other birds trying to imitate how goldfinches do it.
This tube feeder has six yellow perches for your finches to use when eating upside down. My only problem with this is that the perches are too smooth to keep the finches from sliding off when eating. You would notice that a finch would eat then a few minutes later he couldn’t keep his feet on the perch. My solution was to roughen up the perches to improve traction.
I like that the hanging rod is attached to the plastic tube body instead of the top cover. This makes the feeder steadier and prevents the body from falling to the ground unlike some feeders. It is also easy to clean and maintain. One drawback though is that after a year of usage, it has started to show wear and tear and looks a bit shabby in the garden. However, I still think this is the best goldfinch feeder since other birds wouldn’t go near it.
Pros:
- Attracts only American Goldfinches
- Can feed up to 6 finches at a time
- Can be cleaned easily
Cons:
- Doesn’t seem to be durable
- Shows wear and tear after only a year of use
What To Look For When Buying A Finch Feeder
When buying a finch feeder, it’s important to know what do finches like to eat first. You can choose just any other feeder, but if finches don’t like the food you are offering, they won’t come to it. Many feeders are made specifically for the type of food you are offering. For instance, thistle feeders usually have small ports to prevent nijer seeds from falling out as they are very small (and expensive). You wouldn’t buy a bird feeder that has big holes if you want to offer nijer seeds because they would just end up on the ground. Other feeders have bigger ports that allows for finch mix to be placed without them falling to the ground.
Once you have decided the type of feeder you want to buy, here are the qualifications to look for when choosing the right model:
Durability – your finch feeders will surely be exposed to the wind, sun and rain. You wouldn’t want a great looking feeder that will only last a couple of months, would you? I would always go for metal material, but if ever I choose a feeder made of plastic, I look into its thickness. If the plastic is too thin and flimsy, it will likely crack under the heat of the sun, or its port holes would expand easily that the seeds would fall out.
Price – the price for me should be dependent on the material. Usually if it is made of metal, it would really be expensive. Sock feeders are the cheapest you can buy, but they will only last you up to a month, after which you will notice wear and tear and you would eventually have to dispose of it.
Ease of Access for Cleaning and Refilling – since you would be refilling often and you would have to clean your finch feeder every few weeks, it is important for the feeder to be easily opened and closed. Some feeders take a lot of effort to open (such as having screws keeping it shut), while there are also those that are easy to open and detach. I would prefer the middle ground of being easy to access while also being sturdy enough to not be opened by squirrels.
Minimizes waste – nijer seeds are very expensive. When choosing a feeder, it would be best to choose one that doesn’t waste these seeds. This can be by having small enough ports to prevent them falling off while still allowing finches to eat properly. You can also look for feeders that have a bottom tray to catch the seeds that fall through the holes. Some house finches, gold finches and yellow finches eat from the tray anyway, so win-win!
Have a look at my top choices above and read my evaluation on them to help you with your decision. You can also look through other people’s reviews, especially when buying your feeder online.
Other Important Factors To Consider
What is a finch feeder?
A finch feeder is a bird feeder specifically made for finches. Finches have smaller bodies and smaller beaks than other birds. Finches love niger (also spelled Nyjer and also called thistle seeds), which are really small seeds. Most finch feeders accommodate this small seeds, hence they have really small, slit-like holes.
Finch feeders are typically tube feeders; whether they be plastic tubes or mesh wire tubes. This allows you to place the seeds inside and the finches can just perch or cling to the tube if they want to eat. Goldfinches are able to feed inverted, the only backyard bird that is able to do so. This is why there are some finch feeders that allow for upside down feeding.
How does it work?
Finch feeders hold a huge amount of seeds at a time, and can be hung outside such as in a bird feeding post or in a sturdy branch. You just leave it out and wait for finches to find them.
Finch feeders don’t necessarily need to be of bright colors to attract finches. Based on my experience, finches would sometimes totally ignore a brightly-colored feeder and prefer a plain-looking sock feeder. Alternatively, there are times when a colorful one attracts finches and ignore plain ones.
A finch feeder works by having portholes big (or small) enough for the finches to put their beaks through to get a seed. Tube feeders made of plastic require perches for finches to stand on, while mesh wire feeders need none since the finches can easily cling to the wire.
What are the different types of finch feeders?
There are several types finch feeders, and many brands have created their own version. However, these can be narrowed down to the following:
Sock Finch Feeders – Also known as finch sacks, these feeders are usually made of fabric, with holes large enough for finches to cling to and to get seeds from. The advantage of using sock feeders is that these are really affordable and attractive to finches. However, it is for short term use only. Some sock feeders come prefilled with seeds so that you can take it out of the pack and just hang them outside.
You can still refill them though as these usually have a drawstring top to open the sack and fill with seeds. You can also clean it by washing and then leaving it in the sun to dry. Unfortunately, you can only refill and clean the finch sacks for a few times. After a while it will show wear and the birds sometimes tear through the holes, making them bigger. Plus it is very attractive to squirrels, too.
Mesh Feeders – A mesh feeder is a great choice if you want to attract a whole lot of birds. These feeders are usually shaped into a tube, with the seeds filling up the inside. The outer surface of the mesh tube is where birds can cling to and eat as much as they want. There is no limit to how many finches can eat at a time, very much like the sock feeders. But more importantly, it doesn’t wear out easily unlike sack finch feeders.
Mesh feeders are sometimes made out of metal or plastic or a combination of both. Metal ones last longer than other types, though. With my mesh feeders, I sometimes get a dozen finches! It’s fun to watch them hogging the entire surface of the feeder.
Plastic Tube Feeders – Made into an upright tube, plastic tube feeders are filled inside with seeds, but unlike the mesh feeders, finches cannot eat just anywhere. There are perches and specific port holes for the birds to eat from. The transparent tube allows you to easily see if it’s time to refill the feeder. It is also fairly easier to clean than mesh feeders.
However, the maximum number of birds you can feed at a time depends on the number of perches available. That’s good if you want to control how much birds you feed (especially since niger seeds are really expensive).
Upside-Down Feeders – This type is actually just an innovated plastic tube feeder, but instead of feeding the birds the normal upright way, birds are able to eat upside down. The portholes is located beneath the perch. Some beginners in finch feeding think this is a mistake in manufacturing, but this is actually intended. This is made specifically for goldfinches since they are the only backyard birds that can feed inverted comfortably.
Why do you need a finch feeder?
The benefit of having a finch feeder is that you can place niger seeds inside. Other bird feeders have really large feeding holes that nyjer seeds can easily fall through. One blow of wind can cause the seeds to fall out. With regular feeders, you will see your niger seeds in a mound on the ground, and other birds will have a go at them. This is too bad since thistle is very expensive since it is imported from other countries.
Finch feeders can hold niger seeds inside, while allowing finches (which have small beaks) to get their fill easily.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do finches like to eat? What is the best seed for finches?
Finches like to munch on seeds. Aside from black oil sunflower seed which is popular bird food, Nyjer/niger seeds or thistle are also the best seeds for these birds. The good thing about this particular seed is that only finches would munch on it. Other birds would usually leave it alone.
Finches also eat herbs and grass. But if presented with thistle, they would almost always focus on that as it seems to be their favorite.
Mixing different types of seeds into the feeder will help you deter other occupants such as squirrels and other birds. Millet and flax seeds can also make a good mix to your Nyjer seeds.
You can also mix together goldenrod, dandelions, and other plants. However, if you are going to mix sunflower seeds or safflower seeds, always make sure that you get them with their husks removed.
How to attract finches?
Finches are easy to attract as long you provide them with a good habitat to find food.
There are actually many ways to bring these birds in your garden. First, you need to plant trees and shrubs that would serve as their nest. You can plant Monterey pines, fruit trees, willows, and tall thistles. Next, you can use a bird feeder to supply them with enough food. Although finches can find food for themselves, a bird feeder will surely make them flock around your property. Just put some niger seeds and they will surely be around as long as you want them.
How to use a finch feeder?
Using a finch feeder is very easy. Just hang it in an open spot in your property where the birds can easily locate the feeder. If you have two or more finch feeders, keep them at least five feet away from each other so that more birds can feed on it. But always remember to keep the finch feeder away from trees where squirrels and other animals can get easy access to the seeds inside.
How/where to hang finch feeders?
Hang your feeders at least 5 feet from the ground and 15 feet away from each other and other water sources. The best place to hang finch feeder is at a bird feeding post so that squirrels can’t get at it easily unlike if you hang it at a tree branch. If you want these lovely birds to keep visiting you, keeping the finch feeder away from other animals is very important.
It’s not necessary to place the feeder in a shaded area, but be sure to have a top cover or a hood to prevent rain from penetrating inside the feeder and causing your seeds to get wet and moldy.
How to clean finch feeders?
If you want to keep the birds coming back healthy, it is absolutely necessary to clean the finch feeders. Sanitizing the finch feeders is very important because it keeps the seeds from being spoiled by unwanted bacteria and other harmful organisms.Cleansing different types of feeders is done in the same manner: remove the leftover seeds, then use a brush and warm water. If leftover seeds or mold is present, use a solution of one part bleach and ten parts water. Rinse the seed tube, let it dry and refill it with a fresh batch of seed.
How to make a finch feeder?
Making a finch feeder is indeed a very interesting project for anyone. While the prospect of purchasing brand new parts for your finch feeder may seem interesting, you can also use recycled materials as an alternative.One example is the soda bottle finch feeder. Here’s what you will need:
- A recycled plastic bottle
- A small unused plate
- A nylon string or wires
Cut the bottom portion of the plastic bottle. Once the bottom portion of the bottle is removed, place the bottle on the plate in an inverted manner. The plastic bottle will serve as the seed tube while the plate will serve as the base of the feeder. Secure the two by tying the small mouth part of the bottle to the plate below using the nylon string or wire. Make sure that the plate below will not fall once you hang it.
Punch small holes on the plastic bottle. This is where the finches will access the seeds. If you will be using niger seeds, make sure the holes are small and look like slits. Once you have secured the feeder, fill the tube with seeds and hang it in an open space in your garden.
If you want to make a homemade finch sock feeder, my number one recommendation would be to use a jersey with small holes in to so that you just need to saw it to make a sack and you wouldn’t to cut holes through it.
Conclusion
Whether you are trying to attract goldfinches, purple finches, house finches or more, the choices we provided above are suitable for your needs. Just remember that putting a bird feeder out in your yard is coupled with a responsibility to maintain its cleanliness. This prevents any kind of disease from developing and spreading. Even the best finch feeder would be useless if the seeds are not fresh and the feeder itself is not clean. This is just a small task compared to the delight you’ll get from having beautiful and brightly colored finches flocking to your area.
You will also like: Platform Bird Feeder: Best Options On The Market In 2023
Last update on 2023-09-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
I’ve used Stokes Select. I found it to be extremely well made with all-metal construction, easy to fill and clean with removable top and bottom caps, perfectly sized so the seed will not end up getting moldy or going bad before it’s eaten up and it looks great hanging in my garden.
I had the No/No Green and Black on order, but it arrived with a broken top, busted where the “stem” of the “ball” should have been inserted through a hole in the cover. Instead the hole was filled with broken metal or broken solder, so there was no way to repair it.
I’m now avoiding all such feeders where the bottom of a ball is the very small stress point for the maximum weight of a full feeder and birds. Instead i look for inverted U hangers, or a rod inside the feeder that goes to a cable and out through the roof cover, or any other type of suspension except for that tiny sphere.
Engineers and their kids will understand. Once you see the design flaws you avoid them at all costs.
I’m sorry to hear about your experience with the No/No Green and Black feeder. It’s always frustrating to receive a defective product. It’s great that you are aware of the design flaws and are looking for alternatives with different types of suspension systems. You may want to consider looking into platform feeders or hopper feeders with more sturdy suspension systems. These types of feeders typically have a wider base and distribute the weight more evenly, making them less likely to break under the weight of birds and feed.