Finches are some of the easiest backyard birds to attract when you offer the appropriate food and a comfortable place to feed. They can be found in small groups or larger flocks, especially when food is easy to find. With the right seed, feeder and a little patience, you can make your backyard a regular stop for finches throughout the year.
Start With the Right Food
Perhaps the simplest and most effective means of attracting finches is by providing them the right food. Finches have small, pointed bills that are well suited for eating small seeds. Nyjer is well-loved by finches and makes them easy to attract. Several types of finches can also be attracted by hulled sunflower and black oil sunflower.
Some good options to try include:
- Nyjer: This seed is a favourite for many finches and especially useful in finch feeders.
- Hulled Sunflower: Small and easy for birds to eat because the shell has already been removed.
- Black Oil Sunflower: A high energy seed that attracts a wide variety of backyard birds.
- White Millet: A small seed that can be useful in mixed bird seed.
- Cracked Corn: Can attract finches along with other birds that enjoy seeds.
- Milo: Another seed that can be included in some bird seed mixes.
You do not need to provide every seed at once. You can start with nyjer or a good finch mix to see which birds are visiting your backyard.
Try a Finch Seed Mix
To attract more than one type of finch, you could provide a finch seed mix. Different mixes contain different combinations of seeds, so check the ingredients before buying one. Some mixes are made specifically for finches while others are designed to attract a wider variety of birds.
Choose a Feeder Finches Can Use
The feeder you choose can make a big difference towards attracting finches. Tube feeders with small openings work well for finches because they allow birds to perch and pick out individual seeds. Mesh feeders can also be useful because finches can cling to the sides while feeding.
Consider the following:
- Tube feeders for Nyjer and small seeds
- Mesh feeders that allow finches to cling while feeding
- Tray feeders for offering seed in a more open area
- Ground feeding areas for finches that prefer feeding closer to the ground
If you are trying to attract a larger flock, having more than one feeding spot can help reduce crowding. Also, if you're looking for a feeder specifically suited to finches, a finch feeder with small feeding ports can be a great option.
Give Finches Room to Feed
You will often find that once one or two finches arrive, there soon will be dozens more. A feeder that works well for a single bird may become crowded once a flock arrives. If you regularly seebirds waiting for a place to feed, consider adding another feeder nearby. This gives more birds an opportunity to eat and can make your backyard more comfortable for larger groups.
Add Water and Nearby Shelter
Food is important, but birds need more than something to eat. Therefore, adding a clean source of water can make your backyard more useful to finches and other birds. A shallow bird bath is a good place to start. Keep the water fresh and clean it regularly.
Finches also benefit from having shrubs and small trees nearby. These provide places where birds can rest and look around before approaching a feeder. They can also give birds somewhere to move to quickly when they feel threatened. Try to create a backyard setup where feeders, water and natural cover are reasonably close together without making the feeding area too crowded.
Keep Your Finch Food Fresh
Bird seed can lose its quality when it is exposed to moisture, heat and poor storage conditions. Store unused seed somewhere cool and dry and use a clean container with a secure lid. Check your feeders regularly as well. If the seed becomes wet, mouldy or spoiled, remove it and clean the feeder before adding fresh food. Keeping the feeding area clean gives finches a healthier place to return to.
Once you start attracting finches, keeping their feeding area clean is just as important as choosing the right seed. Regularly remove old seed and debris from underneath feeders and clean feeders when they become dirty.