Nyjer seed bird food

4.25 out of 5

42

The nyjer seeds attract lots of gold finches but they don't seem to get much for their efforts - the feeder only needs to be filled up every few weeks as they seem to find it difficult to get the seeds out.

This food is great for the birds listed, we can get up to 20 goldfinches vying for a perch on the feeders.

I am certain that in the past there was a pack size between the 900g and the 5kg pack. I bought 2 RSPB containers for seed; the larger one holds 5.5 kg of sunflower mix, but the smaller one holds only half that so I have to buy a number of the 900g packs

RSPB response: Thank you for your review, we are really pleased to hear that the food goes down well with your goldfinches. We have passed on your comments re pack size to our product team.

Having gone through the reviews I noticed it can take often months before birds are attracted to the Nyjer seed. Thanks to a tip of my brother-in-law I didn't have to wait that long. I had the Nyjer seed out for about 10 days with no result and it was a bit of a long shot as i hadn't spotted any goldfinches in our garden before anyway (Northern England). My B-I-L advised me to soak some Nyjer seed in water in a small bowl as it would, according to him, release the seeds' smell and attract birds within a couple of days. It was a great tip with even better result than expected! Within the hour I had 4 Siskins nibbling on the Nyjer seeds and they keep coming back since. 2 days later 2 Goldfinches arrived. I have stopped soaking the Nyjer seeds, as the birds have found their way now, but I might repeat this trick occasionally to attract others. Also great about the Nyjer seed is that it's not eaten by other birds like tits and chaffins for example so you don't have to keep filling up while waiting for your goldfinches.

Having gone through the reviews I noticed it can take often months before birds are attracted to the Nyjer seed. Thanks to a tip of my brother-in-law I didn't have to wait that long. I had the Nyjer seed out for about 10 days with no result and it was a bit of a long shot as i hadn't spotted any goldfinches in our garden before anyway (Northern England). My B-I-L advised me to soak some Nyjer seed in water in a small bowl as it would, according to him, release the seeds' smell and attract birds within a couple of days. It was a great tip with even better result than expected! Within the hour I had 4 Siskins nibbling on the Nyjer seeds and they keep coming back since. 2 days later 2 Goldfinches arrived. I have stopped soaking the Nyjer seeds, as the birds have found their way now, but I might repeat this trick occasionally to attract others. Also great about the Nyjer seed is that it's not eaten by other birds like tits and chaffins for example so you don't have to keep filling up while waiting for your goldfinches.

We moved to a new house and I wanted to encourage a passing goldfinch. I bought these seeds and now at the end of the summer I have 2 pairs, one with 5 offspring and the other with 7. Its Goldfinch mayhem out there!
A total joy.

I bought a small bag of these seeds to try with an RSPB small feeder several years ago. We already had goldfinch, siskin and redpolls visiting to eat the sunfllower hearts. I later bought another small feeder and a 12.5kg bag as the seed was very popular , Now I have to fill both feeders everyday, in fact they do not last the day, so have ordered the larger feeder. The birds love this seed and seem to enjoy it just as much as the sunflower hearts. I have occasionally had jackdaws ( or maybe a squirrel) trying to use the feeders which results in all the seed being emptied on the ground. It didn't matter as the pigeon and collared doves seem to hoover it up. Can recommend this seed if you want to attract goldfinch and siskins.

I bought my first nyger feeder about 15 years ago, after I noticed goldfinches joining greenfinches on the sunflower feeders. A couple of weeks later I had to buy a second, then a third nyger feeder, as the goldfinch population outside the kitchen window grew to a regular couple of dozen. In winter months they are joined by a small flock of siskins. During a couple of hard winters I have also seen up to 60 redpolls, on and beneath my feeders. All these little birds seem to prefer dining in company so feeders with four or even six ports each are popular, especially in groups of three, spaced about a foot apart. I now offer up to seven nyger feeders, providing up to 26 feeding ports, and queuing finches can still take a snack of sunflower hearts while they wait their turn.

RSPB response: Hi Chris, thank you for your review. It is wonderful to hear that Goldfinches, Siskins and Redpolls are all enjoying the Nyjer seed.

I place my Nyjer seed feeder in my garden at one of my three feeding stations it was totally ignored for many weeks. Then suddenly it was found the first birds i saw on it was redpol not having ever seen these birds in our garden was very excited then siskin greenfinch reed bunting and to my surprise only a few times have i seen the goldfinches which was the bird i expected to see more of.

so i would say to people give the feeder plenty of time before giving up on it.

My Goldfinches ignore the Nyjer seed and prefer Sunflower seeds. However the collared doves are very fond of Nyjer, so I keep it for them!

We tried a specialist nyjar seed feeder few a few months but the birds weren't interested. I thought I had seen a goldie on the other feeder but not sure. So I abandoned that and tried mixing nyjar seeds in with our main energy mix in the conventional feeder (ratio about 1:6). Now we have all the other birds PLUS small flocks of goldies (who always come in groups ) .. I can't be sure that they are sifting out the nyger seeds but I suspect so!

When I first bought a nyger feeder, I sited it in my back garden, not too far from my main bird feeder, but it was completely ignored. Disappointed, I moved it to hang it as the only bird feeder in the overgrown hedge in my front garden and goldfinches, rarely seen in my garden before, discovered it almost immediately. They come in large groups, but it seems that only two of them can feed at once, the rest sitting in a another tree waiting their turn. Squabbles arise when a third goldfinch attempts to land on the feeder, although two adults will tolerate a juvenile sitting on the tray whilst they feed. Now robins and blue tits visit briefly to take one or two seeds off the spill tray I fitted, usually in the afternoon, whilst goldfinches use it most daylight hours. I have even disturbed a wood mouse feeding from the tray very early in the morning.

Nyjer seed is a big hit with the finches, especially the goldies, who will spend 15 minutes at a time sampling the nyjer delights. It takes a while to crunch each seed and discard the husk, and with these seeds being quite small, that means the goldies will spend a long time perched on your feeder, munching their way through a meal.

Greenfinches are also fans.

Nyjer tends to be consumed more slowly over the weeks than other seed types, too, so it's quite economical. A 12.75Kg bag has lasted us almost a year.

Watch out for your feeders though. I'm disappointed to say our goldies aren't keen on the current crop of RSPB feeders.

I bought the special feeder and a big bag of nyjar seed because I'd read so much about it. The birds in my garden, including the finches, completely ignore it. Even when we've run out of everything else the goldfinches rarely venture on to it. I am really disappointed.

RSPB response - Thanks for your review. Few garden birds are equipped to feed from a nyjer feeders, with its tiny feeding holes, so it's not surprising that other birds are not eating this food. It's possible your goldfinches may also be finding other food in a neighbour's garden. They will usually go for the most easily accessible food available.

The Nyjar seeds where a big hit in my garden and attracted birds like the goldfinch. I would really recommend this these to any one who wants to attract a wide range of a mazing birds into your garden.

I decided to try niger seed earlier this year, having seen goldfinches enjoying it in other poeple's feeders. I hung the feeder from a branch overhanging my back lawn, not too far from my feeding station, but, for weeks, it was completely ignored and none of the seed was taken. In desperation I moved the niger feeder and hung it in my front hedge and, sure enough, the seed began to go down, but there was a lot spilled on the ground. To be sure the seed was being eaten I moved the feeder along the hedge so that I had a better view of it and I was happy to see several juvenile goldfinches vist daily. Now in adult plumage, they also visit the feeding station at the back of the house as when things are quiet for a mid-morning snack from the no mess sunflower mix, later returning to the niger seed until dusk. I have a lovely view of them from my seat at the computer but they are very quick to fly away if I venture outside.
The problem is the amount of wasteage of such expensive seed and the effect on the lawn below. I have tried fitting a tray to the bottom of the feeder. This catches a lot of seed but the goldfinches are fussy little birds and they only eat the freshest seed, not the seed in the tray or any that I try to return to the feeder, and this mild damp autumn has seen very quick germination in the tray. I have tried putting the discarded niger into a dish to offer to other species near the base of my feeding station, but it seems that I am only encouraging the invasion of an alien plant species in my back lawn when the dish gets knocked over.

Last winter I counted 12 goldfinches on my nyjer feeder. Not many around during the hot weather but now they are returning; have seen six
already. I have to top up the feeder twice a day as they LOVE it !

This food has proven to be an expensive disappointment. None of my birds appear to like it - not the siskins, not the gold finches, nor the green finches although a couple of red polls did try it. Over the past month hardly any has been eaten and most of my birds for which it was intended prefer to queue on the feeder waiting for a chance to get at the seed mix extra. I've no idea how long it will take me to get through 2 x 12.75 kg bags. Does anyone know any nyjer seed bread or cake recipes?

Having seen Goldfinches twice passing my 2nd floor flat window in the space of 5 years, I knew there were some in the area. I put out the Nyjer seed and waited. After four months - payoff! Don't be disappointed if they don't come straight away, now I have more Goldfinches than I know what to do with!!

They come to this seed at breakfast and dinner time - always - a flock of 8 to 12 of them.

What a lovely noise they make, as well as being really pretty.

I put the nyger seed out in January having never seen anything more exotic than a great tit in my garden. It took 5 months of waiting and a couple of re-fills but this morning I've just seen my first ever goldfinch using the special feeder at the back of my small London garden. I'd almost given up hope but so glad I persevered and now hoping that more might arrive!

It's several months since I put out nyjer seed for the first time. I'd never even seen a goldfinch in my garden or in the area, so I knew it was a bit of a long shot. Anyway, my patience was finally rewarded ! A couple of weeks ago I spotted a solitary goldfinch, and just this week I have seen two pairs coming. They are the only birds I have seen on the nyjer feed, but it will be a regular feature in my garden, just for them !

Knowing goldfinch were in the vicinity but never visiting my feeders, I've just tried the nyjer seed. After c 2 weeks, 3 goldfinch were on the feeder this morning. Brilliant! Very pleased!

The goldfinches love the nyjer seed.I have been putting it out for several years. The most gold finches in one flock on the patio has been 30.

I have trialled for six months 'shop' Nyjer seed: the take-up was very slow indeed. For two months I have trialled the RSPB Nyjer seeds: I calculate the response by Goldfinches has been 6-8 times more. I feel sure the reason for the difference in take-up, is the quality of the seed.

My nyjer seed feeder has a tray attached - which the collar doves and wood pigeons find very helpful. Strangely the goldfinches tend only to eat the nyjer seed when the 'no mess' mix has run out.

Having only seen passing Gold Finches in the garden I decided to purchase some nyjer seeds last winter and soon we had a pair of Gold Finches visiting us every day. Then they were 4 and they have stayed with us right through the winter and spring and into this summer. We have even seen their young sitting on the top of the multi feeder and as I sit here now typing they are feeding at the nyjer seeds. So if in doubt just buy and enjoy the experience of seeing Gold Finches and maybe you will be lucky to see to other different birds as well.

We have a tiny tiny garden in dorset and had the usual peanuts and seeds on offer for any hungry bird to drop in. Bought these niger seeds last month and wow!! We have seen birds that have never stopped by before...Siskins, greenfinch, beautiful goldfinch,bullfinch (just the one) we are now introducing different foods as well. But niger seeds....fantastic. We also have some amazing photograghs. You won't be disappointed.

My sunflower seed feeder was getting regular visits from four goldfinches, so I invested in a nyger seed feeder to encourage them. For the first few weeks there was no interest, but when I moved the feeder from a shady, sheltered corner to a more exposed position the goldfinches returned... and have never left. They are in my garden from dawn till dusk, and I can hear their lovely twittering song all day long. Well worth it.

I am mixing table mix with an equal amount of nyger seed in a feeder and not only am i getting gold and green finches but also tree sparrows which are a first for my garden.i am now waiting for the siskins and redpolls.N.H.Tyne &Wear.

I knew that the gold finches loved our nyjer but now we have lots of siskins and a number of lesser redpolls too. An amazing magnet for finches

I bought this to top up my pre-filled 'single use' niger feeder (also bought from RSPB). Since providing a regular supply of niger seed I now have swarms of bullfinches, gold and green finches, & the odd siskin. I'm delighted to have attracted so many 'new' species to my garden!

but pigeons and collar doves love nyjer seed too! We have our nyjer seed feeder on top of a pole with one of the clear plastic saucers underneath so that the larger birds can perch and feed more easily. Hopefully we will see other finches feeding from the nyjer seeds once the colder weather starts.

I now get daily visits from gold finches who touch the normal seeed mixes I provide.

This is quality seed and very fairly priced. All finches love it, and it is a must-have food if you have finches in the area and want to attract them to your garden.
Recommended.

I've been putting out Nyjer seed for a few years now, and I have lots of Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Chaffinches and Bullfinches, male female and their young, all year round, it is beautiful to see them in the garden. It is lovely the way they sit for ages and feed and you can have a good look at them. I think the bullfinches are my favourite, they are so colourful.

Last year I got nyjer seed for my birthday because I had seen some goldfinches in the garden.It didn't work so I put them away for a year,after a year I saw them again and this time it was a clear success.I also attracted redpolls.If I where you and you have goldfinches present in you're area I would recommend it.

For 2 years I heard goldfinches in the town but didn't ever see one. I was reluctant to buy the nyjer seeds because they're relatively expensive, but took the plunge. So glad I did! We are visited by between 4 and 10 goldfinches most days, and they've brought the young ones with them this year. They squabble so noisily that we always know when they've arrived. The challenge for the children is to count them as they flit on and off the feeder. Definitely worth the investment for the entertainment value.

Despite no sign of Goldfinch in my garden, I put up a feeder full of their favorite seeds! two hours thats all it took for these wee darlings to seek out the seeds, wow what a pleasure to see them , lovely !

Lot of Goldfinches in garden, so bought nijer seed. They have shunned it - preferring sunflower hearts. However, the nijer seed has attracted a Redpoll which we have not seen in the 20 years we have been her.

we have as many as 10-12 goldfinches visiting at once sometimes, they eat nothing but nyjer seed, some days the full feeder doesnt last a day!

I have always fed mixed seed and peanuts for the birds, the past two winters i have included fats balls and trays. the year before last i noticed the goldfinches were coming to the garden so started putting out nyjer seed. Much to my delight their brought their young last year and have deen here every day. I have to fill the feeder every other day to keep up with their demand. I have several species of birds in my garden, i feel so privaliged that they visit.

After a few days, goldfinches, siskins and the occasional greenfinch came to our new Niger seed feeder and now we have to top it up about once a week. They prefer these seeds to the sunflower seeds in an adjacent feeder.
Richard Comber

If you don't already have Golfinches, putting up a Nyjer feeder won't help - they are more attracted for most of the year by sunflower seed. If you have Golfinches visiting, are already using a sunflower or sunflower mix in a feeder, and put out a Nyjer feeder, the seed will probably rot before it's finished. I've found that the best use is a small amount mixed into a sunflower no-mess mix - It helps the sunflower mix to flow and the Goldfinches like the variety. I suspect it's more like a dessert to them, rather than a main course!