What Is Nyjer Seed?
Nyjer, also spelled niger and often sold as “thistle,” is a tiny, black, oil-rich seed. Despite the nickname, it does not come from the thistle plants that grow in North American fields. It comes from Guizotia abyssinica, an annual plant grown mainly in places such as Ethiopia and India. Seed sold in the United States is generally heat-treated before sale so that it will not sprout, which helps keep it from growing as a weed under feeders.
Which Birds Eat Nyjer Seed?
Nyjer is a specialist seed. The birds most often associated with it are small finches.
- American Goldfinch, the most dependable visitor in much of North America
- Pine Siskin
- House Finch
- Purple Finch
- Common Redpoll, in areas it visits in winter
- Lesser Goldfinch and other goldfinches in their ranges
Chickadees, some sparrows, juncos, and doves will occasionally take it, especially from the ground where spilled seed has collected. Which birds you see depends on your region and the season. For a wider look at what other species eat, see our guide to seed-eating birds and the seeds they prefer.
Choosing a Feeder for Nyjer
Because the seeds are so small, a regular feeder with large ports will leak them out. Most people use one of these.
- Tube feeders with tiny slits or ports designed for Nyjer.
- Mesh “sock” feeders, which finches cling to while pulling out seed.
- Trays with a fine mesh bottom, which let rainwater drain.
Finches are acrobatic and often feed hanging upside down, so a feeder with perches is helpful but not required. Place it where birds have nearby cover, such as a shrub or tree, but where you can still see it and clean it easily.
How Long Does Nyjer Last?
Nyjer is oily, and it can dry out or go stale. Birds may stop eating it if it is old. Seed that is kept in a cool, dry, airtight container usually stays usable for a good while, but there is no single reliable shelf life. Buy amounts you will use within a few months, and do not top off old seed with fresh seed. If the seed looks dull, clumped, or smells off, replace it. Empty hulls can also fill a feeder and make it look full when it is not, so shake or tap the feeder now and then. Dry seed in a clean feeder matters in wet weather, since damp seed can mold.
Why Aren’t Birds Eating My Nyjer Seed?
This is a common complaint, and a few causes come up repeatedly.
- Birds have not found it yet. Finches can take weeks to notice a new feeder. A bright feeder, a spot near other active feeders, or a little sunflower on a nearby tray may help.
- Old or poor-quality seed. Try a fresh bag.
- Wrong region or season. Goldfinches move around, and some areas see few finches in certain months.
- Plenty of natural food. In late summer and fall, wild seed heads can compete with feeders.
- The feeder is wet, dirty, or moldy. Clean it and let it dry.
- Competing foods. Birds with other options may ignore it.
Some people also find that birds in their area simply prefer sunflower hearts or hulled sunflower. It is reasonable to try both.
Nyjer Compared With Other Seeds
Nyjer is usually more expensive per pound than sunflower, and it attracts a narrower range of birds. That narrowness can be an advantage if you want finches without much competition from larger birds or squirrels, as squirrels generally show little interest in it. If your goal is a broad mix of visitors, black-oil sunflower is usually the better single choice.