I have made feeders for the finches using the clear tubes that the fluorescent lights come in. They come with caps on each end . I drill small holes for the perches and insert small dowel pieces in. Then using the dremel, I make small oblong holes under each perch( so the finches are the only one that can feed because they will turn upside down to feed.)I glue the cap on the bottom. Then drill two small holes near the top so you can bend some wire to use as hanger and fller up and put the cap on. These come in long sizes and sometimes I find them in shorter ones. You can get quite a lot of holes and it is neat to see the birds alight and then turn upside down to eat.

I have never tried to discourage the finches. For many years, when I lived in Louisiana, I got finches at my feeders early in the Spring. Where I lived, I never got hummingbirds until around July 4. Around March or April the finches gave purpose to my efforts and enabled me to haves a hummer feeder available for the occasional migrating hummingbird. If I had not hung the feeders out in time, the finches would fly to where they were supposed to be--alerting me to set up for them. I use Perky Pet feeders with long perches and the bee guards removed. I have also been rewarded with Baltimore orioles visiting and nesting. I have never had orioles respond to oriole feeders. The only problem I never solved was when late in the season honey bees invaded and clogged up the feeders in suicidal masses. I would have to take the feeders down then. I could not bear to kill honey bees. Maybe something new will come up now that I am in Hampton Roads, Virginia.

I don't know if it is normal or not but I have house finches doing the same thing. I've noticed this for several years and think it is fun to watch. The birds have a hard time holding on to the wire I have the feeders hanging from.

Looks like a purple finch. House finches don't have as much red on them. Thanks for posting this. Very pretty bird!