I had two tube feeders that were destroyed by squirrels (thank you, WBU, for your lifetime quarantee) and am now using a metal mesh feeder. I tend to use a blend of nyjer and small sunflower chips, which is why the squirrels went after the tube feeders. Based on the activities in my yard, the sparrows and house finches preferred the tube feeders and would chase away the goldfinches. The sparrows and house finches don't seem to like having to cling to the metal mesh so they don't visit the mesh feeder as much as they did the tube feeders. However, the Downy woodpeckers really like the metal mesh feeder and have a much easier time feeding from it than they did from the tube feeders with the perches. They're very entertaining to watch as they circle around the mesh feeder picking out the sunflower chips.

As for the goldfinches, I haven't noticed much of a difference between their visits to the mesh feeder compared to the tube feeder. I had eight-hole tube feeders so as long as the sparrows and house finches weren't chasing them away, the goldfinches would be plentiful on the tube feeders. I'll see maybe two or three at a time on the mesh feeder, as long as the Downies aren't feeding. After a rain, I'll shake the mesh feeder to loosen up the wet seed and break up any clumps. This also helps to get the seed poking out through the mess so the goldfinches and Downies have an easier time feeding.

The fact that I use a nyjer / sunflower chip blend that atracts the Downies as well as the goldfinches would have me favor the mesh feeder. If I went with a straight nyjer feed that only attracted golfinches, the tube feeder might be the better choice based on ease of maintenance and protecting the seed better. Hope that helps. Sorry to be long-winded.

I use the socks filled with nyger. The goldies love them and there's plenty of room for everybody. I also use a catch tray below which fills with spilled seed and affords other birds to eat the nyger also. I take the socks inside during heavy rains but even if they get damp they dry out.

The goldfinches in my yard like the nyjer socks best, but the squirrels often tear a hole in the socks, allowing the nyjer to spill out. And the turkeys will always peck a hole in the sock if they can reach it. Turkeys love nyjer.

There are different weaves of the socks and some seem to be easier to cling to. I've put them side by side and the goldfinches will definitely pick one weave first.

That said, I now mostly use two mesh feeders with nyjer. I was worried at first that the goldfinches wouldn't like them but they figured it out fast. House sparrows don't visit the mesh often so it's mostly goldfinches and the occasional chickadee.

Last March I had an irruption of redpolls and they also visited the mesh feeders along with the goldfinches.

I bought two purple mesh feeders; not because I particularly like purple feeders or thought the birds might, but because they were on sale for half price.

Claire

I use tube feeders that have the feeding ports positioned so the birds have to hang upside down. Before I bought these the house finches hogged the feeders. Now only the gold finches, chickadees, and other birds that can hang upside down use the feeders which saves me money on thistle bird food.

I commented on your last post about feeders, but I definitely recommend a long, thick plastic tube thistle (nyger seed) feeder that only has small slits for the birds to get the seeds out of. All types of finches love thistle, and you need the specific thistle feeder to keep the tiny seeds from falling out. I have used the mesh feeders pictured above for woodpecker feed, however the problem with them is that larger birds and squirrels can pull on wires which can come loose and stick out, poking birds eyes out or at the very least scratching the eye. If you invest in a good thistle feeder, you will enjoy years of finch antics around it! Have fun.

I love my hanging plastic tube feeder I got from Lowe's. It has a pretty copper-colored top and bottom, it's sturdy, and has perches near the seed openings. You can adjust the openings to just a slit or a larger hole. I just have the slit and use only thistle. For the woodpeckers (red bellies and downies) I hang suet in a cage about a foot away from it. The finches love their seed and the woodpeckers feed right next to them.

I bought one of those wire mesh Finch feeders from Amazon.com about a month ago, filled it with nyjer seed, and have not seen even ONE finch on it yet!! What can I do to attract them? I once saw a yellow finch on my regular feeder, but it ignored the new feeder! I am frustrated! I live in central NC. Any help would be much appreciated. The feeder got great reviews and people said they get many many finches on it. What's wrong with mine??

Sara

I bought one of those wire mesh Finch feeders from Amazon.com about a month ago, filled it with nyjer seed, and have not seen even ONE finch on it yet!! What can I do to attract them? I once saw a yellow finch on my regular feeder, but it ignored the new feeder! I am frustrated! I live in central NC. Any help would be much appreciated. The feeder got great reviews and people said they get many many finches on it. What's wrong with mine??

Sara

Sara: There have been several recent threads that might help you answer your question.

Attracting & Feeding Gold Finches Question

Goldfinches & stale niger seed

A bad batch of nyjer is always a possibility, or maybe the goldfinches just aren't in your area of NC. Maybe somebody from NC could help (I'm in MA).

Good luck,
Claire

We have been using the sock method for years. Having to replace the sock because it gets torn or wears out. We had a plethora of finches come. I decided to buy the metal mesh that wasn't cheap. I saw one Finch and no more have ever come back. Could it just be the metal? I live in coastal California. Please help. I miss those guys.

It took a little while for my goldfinches to get used to the metal feeder but they did.
Sept. 28, 2013

In the summer I don't see many goldfinches at all; only singly or in pairs. I think they're breeding now and there's plenty of wild seed to eat.

Maybe you should try hanging a nyjer sock next to the metal mesh feeder to get them used to it. I think that's what I did. It will also tell you whether the goldfinches are still around now.

I just found these two old pictures:

March 30, 2009 - side by side

February 10, 2010 - looks like I put a sock inside the mesh feeder

Claire

Lulu: Are your goldfinches Lesser Goldfinches? I don't know if it makes any difference but I only see American Goldfinches here on the East Coast.

Claire

I've always used the tube feeders with the copper caps & Nyjer seed. The feeders especially on the bottom inside need to be cleaned every couple months. Once the seeds become stuck together it's a breeding ground for mold. The birds won't eat from it. Once it's cleaned out, they return. Same goes for my other bird feeders.

BTW I can't use the sock feeders because the squirrels rip it apart & it's gone.