Food › Nyjer seed

What birds eat nyjer seed?

Of the 118 real birds in our field guide, 3 come to feeders for nyjer seed: American Goldfinch, House Finch and European Goldfinch.

In North American yards and woods: American Goldfinch and House Finch.

It is the first choice of American Goldfinch and European Goldfinch: when several foods are out, they go for this one.

About nyjer seed

Nyjer is the tiny black seed of an African plant (Guizotia abyssinica). It is often sold as "thistle", but it is not related to thistles, and it is heat treated so it does not sprout in your lawn.

Use a finch feeder with very small ports, or a mesh sock that finches can cling to.

In the game, nyjer seed goes in the tube feeder.

Backyard Eastern North America

American GoldfinchBackyard

First choice. Also: sunflower seed.

House FinchBackyard

Also: sunflower seed, millet.

City park Europe, in a London park

European GoldfinchCity park

First choice. Also: sunflower seed.

Other foods

Sunflower seed (39)Millet (24)Peanuts (18)Suet (21)Fruit (25)Nectar (9)Mealworms (20)