All About Finches

• Facts
• Range & Habitat
• Songs & Calls
• Nests
• Eggs, Chicks & Juveniles
• Finch Trivia

Feeding Finches

• Seeds & Grains
• Mixes
• Storing Birdseed
• Feeding Q&A

Bird Feeders

• Feeder Types
• Placing Feeders

Food & Feeder Quick-Chart

Maintaining Feeders & Good Practices

• Cleaning Your Feeders
• Protecting Finches

About the Author

Feeder Types

Nyjer Feeder: Usually a long tube-shaped feeder constructed of fabric, metal mesh or plastic tubing. Tiny holes allow the slow release of the tiny seeds. Sock-like cloth bags are also popular Nyjer feeders.

Tube Feeder: A clear plastic tube with metal openings for accessing seeds and pegs for perching. Small to large sizes hold different amounts of seeds. Some varieties have a bottom tray for spilled or extra seeds, which finches use as a landing platform and for perching. Hangs from a shepherd’s hook or sits on top of a post or pole.

Platform, Tray or Ground Feeder: Also called a fly-through feeder. Usually has a flat, open surface for seeds. Hangs from a series of wires or chains, rests on a central post or pole, or sits on the ground with the bottom of the tray around 12 inches off the ground. Made of wood or metal and often has a series of holes or slots for drainage. Some have a protective roof.

Window Feeder: Made of lightweight plastic or wood. Suction cups adhere the feeders to windows for close-up viewing. See the Food & Feeder Quick-Chart on pages 40–41 for all the good finch foods you can use in these feeders.

Placing Feeders

Feeding finches is fun and easy, so put feeders where you can easily enjoy them. They should be in areas near your home where you spend a lot of time and in places where you can see outside clearly and comfortably.

Most feeding stations are about 20–40 feet away from residences. Placing feeders closer draws a wide variety of finches to where you can see them more easily. The closer the feeders, however, the more likely you will have window strikes.

Feeders close to shrubs or other cover give finches a place to stage and look for predators before flying in to feed. Plant cover also gives them a quick place to hide in case a hawk swoops in. Feeders in the middle of large open spaces work well for large flocks of finches. The flock often flies around and around the feeders before all the birds land together.

Place feeders where squirrels can’t get to them. The basic placement rule is 5 feet and 8 feet—meaning feeders should be at least 5 feet off the ground and at least 8 feet from any other surface from which a squirrel can jump. This includes trees, houses, sheds, outdoor grills, birdbaths, patio furniture and anything else a squirrel can climb to jump onto feeders.

When placing feeders, be sure to install a squirrel or raccoon baffle on each one. Baffles are metal tubes that prevent these animals from climbing your shepherd’s hooks and accessing the bird food.

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