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First seed feeder (Nyjer)

15 years ago

I bought myself a new Nyjer feeder today and was just wondering a few things as I've never had a seed feeder before. How will the birds know it is there, smell? Luck? I live in an area with lots of birds (for an idea a few decades ago there was a farm nearby named Singing Hills because of the number of birds you can hear, you should hear it in the morning). I have been trying a hummingbird feeder for a few weeks unsuccessfully so I thought I would try a seed feeder too.

My mom has a feeder for Goldfinches also and lives near a big city. The thing is covered in birds most of the day, but either only sparrows or goldfinches. Hopefully I see something new out here! Hers is plastic mine is black mesh.

Also, when are birds most actively feeding, or is it a throughout the day kind of thing?

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Comments (2)

bandjzmom
15 years ago
Hi Mojave! Thanks for feeding the birds! The birds will see the feeder. They don't have much sense of smell. A Nyjer sock is sort of a specific Goldfinch feeder, and I sure hope that you get them. One of the very best seeds you can offer in order to attract in the most species of songbirds is Black Oil Sunflower Seed. Why not splurge and purchase another feeder and fill it with some Black Oil Sunflower Seed? I like a nice durable feeder that lots of species can easily use. I've posted a link just to show you an example of what type of feeder I love. You can look around your town and choose what you like. Your local Lowes, Home Depot, Walmart, Kmart should offer a decent selection. I also love my Tractor Supply for birding purchases. Good luck and happy birding!!! ~~Angie

Here is a link that might be useful: {{!gwi}}
donald lucius
15 years ago
my nyger feeder attracts mostly finches. the goldfinches here come in early spring and leave by the hottest part of summer. the house finches stay just about year around and the cassins finches mostly springtime. the pine siskins from late fall to mid spring. i also have a black oil sunflower seed feeder and it attract more birds than any others. especially the grosbeaks and house and casins finches. i get orioles and tanager from late april thru august and they love the necter feeders and the grape jelly. the woodpeckers eat lots of suet and nuts and cracked corn and the jays and blackbirds and doves eat most anything but prefer grains such as wheat berrys and cracked corn and milo.
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Hi! Your feeder is neat, especially the way you've hung the tray on the bottom. The only thing I can think of, relative to your question about why birds aren't using that feeder, is that at this time of year it's not the feeder - there are so many insects, seeds, buds, etc. out there that haven't been available to the birds before spring, and I know that's where most of our birds are getting their nourishment. Even the gray catbirds that have been in the garden and birdbath haven't been visiting our fruit/jelly feeder. I've actually taken everything down except the nyjer feeder, and I keep the birdbaths filled and clean because all the birds come to those no matter what. On the other hand, we have a pair of goldfinches that visits our nyjer feeder every day at about 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., like clockwork. And more goldfinches than just those two take advantage of the feeder as well. So that feeder will stay up. This will work out - you could leave your feeder up and wait and see, birds may suddenly see it and use it. Good luck - Donna
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