Why is nyjer seed so expensive?

It's one of the more expensive seeds due to the transport costs from tropical regions and because it is heat sterilized to kill weed seeds such as Dodder that is present in many Niger seed harvests.

What is the difference between Nyjer and thistle seed?

Nyjer seed is NOT thistle. The seed is not derived from any native or non-native thistle plant, but instead, Nyjer seed is actually derived from a plant in the same plant tribe as sunflowers. The seed resembles a sunflower seed but is significantly smaller.

Why is bird seed so expensive 2021?

Confined by coronavirus lockdowns, many people turned to feeding birds as a source of comfort and entertainment. Retailers have struggled to keep shelves stocked. That surge in demand, along with a spike in freight costs, drove up the price of bird food.

Why are birds not eating nyjer seed?

Nancy Castillo, co-owner of the Wild Birds Unlimited store in Saratoga Springs, New York, and author of the blog Zen Birdfeeder, points out that Nyjer contains natural high-calorie oils that attract finches. When the oils dry out, the seed loses both its food value and its flavor, and birds shun it.

Do finches prefer thistle or nyjer seed?

Picking the correct bird feeder and birdseed can determine whether you'll be seeing finches or not. Finches like to eat nyjer thistle seed.

Why Pine Nuts Are So Expensive | So Expensive

Why won't goldfinches come to my feeder?

Finches Need Clean Feeders

Finches don't like dirty feeders and will avoid a feeder if it's moldy or otherwise unclean. When it rains, seed can also become clumpy, and the birds won't be able to pull seeds out of the feeder. Adding a weather guard to your feeder can prevent the seeds from getting wet and clumping.

Why have my goldfinches stopped coming to feeder?

Because of this, their nesting time coincides with the weed seed crop of late summer (July and August), which is much later than most other songbirds. During this part of the year, Goldfinches are busy..., well....getting busy, so they tend not to visit our feeders as often as they do the rest of the year.

Does nyjer seed sprout?

This plant seed is also sold under the trademark name Nyjer. It does not germinate and sprout in your lawn--for one very good reason. In 2001 the USDA required imported Niger seed for birds to be sterilized for 15 minutes at 120˚ C (248˚ F). This sterilizes the seeds.

Why do birds suddenly stop coming to feeders?

According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the reason birds haven't been coming to feeders is because of the overabundance of natural foods out in the environment. This fall has been unseasonably warm and dry.

Do rats eat nyjer seed?

Nyjer is a tiny seed which goldfinches will crack open to eat the edible interior; squirrels and rats are generally not interested in this seed.

How do you feed birds cheaply?

Is Costco bird seed good?

Final Thoughts. This large 40 pound bag of Bird Seed at Costco might be just what you need to stock up on bird feed. The price is not bad for just $25.99 and this specific mix and brand have great reviews. If you are looking for some bird seed, make sure that you check your local Costco.

Has bird seed gone up in price?

Nyjer seed has risen by $7 per 50 pounds; safflower by $8 per 50 pounds and wild bird mix by $2 per 20-pound bag. Even fat-laden suet cakes, which include corn and sunflower seeds, are up from 79 cents last year to $1.29. Similar price hikes are reported at other area stores that carry birdseed.

What birds do niger seeds attract?

What is the best seed for finches?

The American goldfinch's diet consists of mostly seeds. They love Nyjer® Seed and Sunflower Seeds. These seeds are high in oil and easy to eat with their smaller beaks. Because finches prefer the combo of Nyjer® seed and socks, this duo is your best bet for attracting a bright yellow feathered friend.

Will squirrels eat nyjer seed?

Squirrels love birdseed (as well as nuts, sunflower seeds, fruit, and corn), but they don't favor everything that birds eat. So stock your bird feeder with such fare as safflower seed, nyjer seed, and white proso millet, which squirrels don't care for and they'll likely head elsewhere for their next meal.

Do birds eat from feeders at night?

Birds rarely eat from feeders at night, unless there is an artificial light source that illuminates the feeder. Dawn to mid-morning is the best time to watch for birds eating at your feeder. It's okay to leave most bird feeders out at night even if birds only visit them during the day.

When should you stop feeding goldfinches?

You can stop feeding birds as soon as the cold and snowy winter weather is over. Many people stop at this time. But I suggest waiting until May or even June to take down your feeders. Your winter birds may wait until late April to leave.

Do birds tell each other where food is?

There are also contact calls, which birds can use to talk to each other when foraging for food. So I would say yes, birds do talk and communicate where food is, in their own way.

Are niger and nigella seeds the same?

The genus name Nigella is a diminutive of the Latin niger 'black', referring to the seed color. The specific epithet sativa means 'cultivated'. In English, N. sativa and its seed are variously called black caraway, black seed, black cumin, fennel flower, nigella, nutmeg flower, Roman coriander, and kalonji.

Is Nyjer thistle invasive?

Nyjer is not an invasive species.

Do birds eat niger seed in the winter?

Nyjer seed—also commonly known as niger or thistle seed—is popular with many backyard bird species, particularly seed-eating birds and winter finches.

Where are the finches 2021?

The 2021-22 Winter Finch Forecast

The majority of winter finches will stay up north. Tyler says, “However, there will be movement of most finches varying by species and location in the boreal forest. So you will be able to find most species, but it won't be like last year when they came to so many people's backyards.

Do cardinals and finches get along?

Cardinals Are Friendly With other Birds

A cardinal is sharing a feeder with a male house finch. A female cardinal is sharing a feeder with a painted bunting. A female cardinal is sharing a feeder with a sparrow.

What is finches Favorite food?

Nyjer® (thistle) is finches' favorite food. Nyjer's high oil content makes it an excellent energy source for active birds, and it's best used in our specially designed finch feeders. It is important to keep the food fresh because finches can be picky eaters.