If you’ve ever looked into attracting finches, you have likely heard of thistle seed. It’s a tiny black seed that you usually want to use a specialty feeder for, and finches will tear it up reliably. Having a good thistle feeder is the easiest way to get finches to regularly come to your property.
Now, you might be wondering, where does thistle seed come from? There are quite a few misconceptions about it, and we’re going to clear them up.
After all, every good bird watcher and conservationist should know a bit about what it is they’re putting out for the birds.
Does Thistle Seed Come from Thistle Plants?
When you hear about thistle seeds, you likely think about thistle. The little green shoots that are common all over Europe have historically been a major part of life up until recent decades.
Well, “thistle seeds” and thistle actually have nothing to do with one another. So where does thistle seed come from, then? Well, they are actually from a plant that’s native to Ethiopia called Nyjer.
The reason thistle seeds are improperly named is due to marketing. In the 1700s, Europe started importing the Nyjer seeds from Ethiopia and India for various uses. Nyjer is packed with oils that are good for medicinal purposes and other uses, and it became a valuable resource when it was actually fairly difficult to get high-oil seeds.
However, to get the local population to accept Nyjer seeds and use them more readily, they were renamed thistle seeds.
This made the locals look at the seeds as something familiar and normal in their day-to-day life, and they were more willing to use them for a multitude of applications, including feeding the birds.
Where is Thistle Seed from Now?
A lot of plants are originally from one area but popularized in another. Tomatoes originally came from South America, and now everyone associates them with Italy.
Well, thistle seeds have a somewhat similar story. Since they’re used so frequently in North America and Europe as bird seed, they’re commonly associated with those two regions.
To this day, the primary cultivators of thistle seed are India and Ethiopia. However, thistle seeds are now cultivated in various European countries and across Asia to help meet demand.
How to Start Using Thistle Seed for Bird Feeding
Thistle seed is the best way to get finches to your backyard, but it’s a little different to use than your average birdseed product.
You’ll need a special feeder to keep from wasting your thistle seed or letting larger birds and predators eat all of it, and you’ll want to create an inviting area in your garden or another space with lots of plants to attract the finches.
For the feeder, there are two main varieties. One’s a thistle feeder that gravity feeds the seeds through tiny holes that prevent waste, and the other is a sock design. Which one you use is really up to you.
Of course, you’ll want a high-quality feeder to make sure you’re creating a good experience for the finches. The good news is, here at The Birdhouse Chick, we offer a huge variety of feeders to suit your needs.
If you have any questions or need guidance, feel free to reach out. We’re always happy to help!
