Hobbies And Interests
Black-Oil Sunflower Seed
Black-oil sunflower seed is a favorite of house finches, purple finches, redpolls, pine siskins and goldfinches. They have thinner shells then traditional gray- or black-striped sunflower seeds, making it easier for smaller birds like finches to open them. It is a high-energy food loaded with protein and fat. If using these seeds, do not place hulls in your garden or flower beds because they contain a growth inhibitor. Besides finches, this seed will also attract chickadees, woodpeckers, nuthatches and titmice.
Niger (Nyjer) Thistle Seed
Niger (Nyjer) thistle seed is imported from Ethiopia and India. It is a favorite of American goldfinch, house finch, pine siskins and common redpolls. It needs to be fed from specially-designed tube feeders with smaller openings that prevent it from falling to the ground. This seed can be very expensive. Chickadees, song sparrows, dark-eyed juncos and white-throated sparrows are also attracted to niger seeds.
Striped Sunflower Seeds
Traditional striped sunflower seeds are not as favored by finches as the black-oil sunflower seeds but can be used. They need to be hulled first since the shells are usually too strong for finches. Goldfinches, house finches and purple finches all seem to enjoy hulled sunflower seeds. Tufted titmice, white-crowned sparrows, white-throated sparrows and chickadees also like sunflower seeds.
Seed Mixtures
Seed mixtures should generally be avoided especially for use in finch feeders. Many mixes contain flax, canary and rapeseed along with cereal grains such as sorghum, wheat, cracked corn, oats and rice. These are generally unattractive food source for finches. Mixes rich in millet should also not be used in tube feeders, according to Peter T. Bromley and Aelred D. Geis, extension specialists with the Virginia Cooperative Extension.