They're going for the seeds, of course, and they seem to prefer them still on the plant. In the absence of seed trees like birch, alder, and elm or grasses, thistles, and other weeds that provide seeds, your zinnias are right up their alley. Cone flowers and Black eyed Susans would probably tempt them too. I don't usually feed birds in the summer, but how about erecting a temporary feeder stocked with their preferred seed?

OH NO, please go over to the birdwatching forum and read my post about the flufed up birds. What you have there is salmenilla. I had two that I cought and brough in two days ago. They rooseted together through the night, then died the next day. You must take all your feeders down and wash them with a bleach solution. You know the drill I am sure. Clean under the feeders and any bird baths too.There has been a outbreak in our reigon. It is highly contageous and can be transmited to humans and domestic pets. There are several good links in the post over there. This is NOT one of those things that you want to let nature take it's course with. This affects birds in the finch family the most, including pine siskins. I know how badly you felt, I go through the same dilema myself and it was so sad to watch those little birdies die, I was going to take them to the rehabber to be put to sleep, there is nothing to cure it, I am glad they had each other in a warm place to die. So WARNING to anybody in this region, pleas please keep your feeders EXTRA CLEAN especially UNDER them , this is spread by fecies. I am so sorry dirtgirl. Lisa

I have the same problem with a tube feeder filled with safflower. The chickadees and house finches will toss out several pieces before deciding on one while the cardinals will land, take one seed, and eat it. Much like you, I've yet to figure out what's going on. I was using the tray that came with the feeder but that allowed the mourning doves to perch and eat. They would clean out the feeder in a day. Now without the tray in place, I'm going 3 or 4 days between refills. The downside is the seed getting tossed to the ground, which the doves end up eating anyway. So I guess it's a trade-off.

birdist, I adore my American Goldfinches here, but I cannot afford to keep them in Thistle. It has gotten so expensive. Luckily, my AGF's seem to be just fine with Black Oil Sunflower Seed. They will sometimes even choose it over thistle. BOSS is certainly much more affordable. Don't know if the Lessers would go for it, but it's worth a shot.