Best Nyjer Feeder Out There?

Don't take our word for it, Guest Post by Todd Parker

After many years of feeding Goldfinches and other species that love thistle seed- I’ve discovered that one particular type of nyjer feeder seems to be highly preferred by the birds over all of the other finch feeders out there.

That feeder would be the thistle (or nyjer) sock. It’s my opinion that thistle socks are the best way to serve up the seed to species that love to dine on it!

Reason being is that the sock perfectly mimics the way these birds feed in the wild. Inserting their beaks into the holes of the soft pliable material of a sock and pulling out a seed is the same as a Goldfinch sitting atop a thistle plant and picking the seeds out.

When given a choice (under ideal conditions of course) nyjer eating species will almost always choose to eat from a sock over all other feeders every single time because IT’S THE MOST NATURAL WAY FOR THEM TO EAT!!!!!

However, speaking of ideal conditions, there are times when Goldfinches and other species (red polls, pine siskins and the occasional chickadee) will completely shun a nyjer sock. This is often the case when one of two problems or perhaps even both are present.

First off, all thistle socks are not created the same. If the holes in the mesh are not shaped just right or are too small, the birds will have a difficult time extracting the seeds and this in turn will cause them to seek out food from a more accessible source.

Another reason for the birds staying away from a sock is the quality and overall freshness of the seeds inside. I guess you could say that birds are just like us; they know bad food when they taste it and they simply won’t eat it.

So, if you enjoy feeding birds in your backyard and have tried a thistle sock but the birds don’t seem to care for it, check to see if the seeds are coming out the way they should and be sure to have your sock filled with the freshest seeds. And like me, you may soon discover that IT’S THE MOST NATURAL WAY FOR THEM TO EAT!!!!!

ps: don't forget to offer fresh water!