Learn where nyjer seed comes from and what types of birds eat it. Plus, find out what's the difference between nyjer and thistle seed.
Difference Between Nyjer Seed and Thistle Seed
Tube or sock feeders full of thistle seed are a common way to welcome songbirds into your garden. But the next time you refill your feeders, think about this. The seeds you’re buying at the store aren’t what you might think. They don’t come from the plant we know as thistle here in North America. What’s in the package is nyjer seed, which is just as tasty and healthy for backyard birds.
“When people refer to thistle seed that goes in feeders, they’re generally not talking about the seed that comes from either native or invasive thistle. They’re talking about Nyjer,” said John Rowden, director of community conservation at the National Audubon Society.
Nyjer seeds come from the African yellow daisy, a plant not commonly grown in the United States. The seeds are collected and sold by communities in northern Africa. Before they’re exported, the seeds are sterilized so the plant doesn’t become invasive in other environments.
It sounds like a lot of work to prepare this simple seed, but John said Nyjer’s value to birds makes the effort worthwhile. “It has a good combination of protein, fat and fiber, and that’s great as a winter bird food when fliers are trying to gain that high caloric content,” he said.
Besides serving store-bought seeds, John recommends planting native thistle to naturally bring feathered friends to your backyard. Visit audubon.org/plantsforbirds to find out what options are native in your area.
Learn how to attract more goldfinches to your backyard.
Which Birds Eat Nyjer Seed?
Nyjer is suited for attracting finches, chickadees, pine siskins, juncos, sparrows, mourning doves and buntings, among others.
Nyjer seeds are tiny, but they still have a shell. If you think your backyard birds might be just pecking at their food—not eating it—check the ground litter for thin hulls.
“I scatter Nyjer seed on the grass under sock feeders for ground foragers. All manner of birds flock to it!” says Birds & Blooms reader Keith Golden of Lake Carroll, Illinois.
Meet the different types of goldfinches in the United States.
Best Feeders to Serve Nyjer Seed
John recommends using mesh socks or specialized tube feeders to share the seed, as they are designed to provide ample places for small birds to cling on.
Check out more of the best finch feeders to serve thistle seed.
Serve Only Fresh Nyjer Seed
You can serve nyjer seed in any season, but always keep it fresh.
“I bought a large bag of Nyjer seed, but the birds are not eating it. Could it be stale?” asks reader Cheryl Powers.
Birding experts Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman say, “Nyjer is wonderful for attracting goldfinches and other small seed-eaters, but it loses its appeal after it dries out, which can happen within a few months. Birds can tell when the seeds have gone dry and stale.
A way to test for yourself is to pour a handful of Nyjer seeds on a paper towel and then crush them thoroughly. If the seeds are still fresh, some oil from them should seep out onto the paper towel. If the seeds are completely dried out, it’s best to throw them away and buy some more—preferably a reliable brand from a wild bird feeding specialty store.”
As another benchmark, field editor Patrick Hogan said he analyzes the seeds’ shininess to determine freshness. If they look dull, he puts out a fresh batch of seed. And throw out the whole lot if seeds get too wet.
Birds Not Eating Nyjer Seed
“I’ve been trying to attract finches to my yard by offering fresh Nyjer seed in a specialized feeder, but they don’t seem interested. I’ve checked that the seed isn’t moldy or old, and the feeder is clean and placed in a safe location. However, the birds either ignore it or prefer other food sources. Are there specific reasons why finches might avoid Nyjer seed? Could it be an issue with my setup, the time of year, or the presence of other natural food sources?” asks reader Mendy McClain.
Kenn and Kimberly say, “Goldfinches and other finches sometimes flock to Nyjer seed, and sometimes ignore it. If the Nyjer seed is fresh, try putting it in its own feeder and placing that very close to feeders with other finch-friendly foods, such as white proso millet or sunflower chips, to see if the birds might make the switch.”
Next, learn why you should be offering black oil sunflower seed to birds.
About the Experts
Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman are the official bird experts for Birds & Blooms. They are the creators of the Kaufman Field Guide series and they lead birding trips all over the world.
