Thistle Feeders, Types, and Attracting Goldfinches

Thistle Feeders

There are various types of these feeders. They all are specially designed to hold thistle seed, also known as nyjer seed, which attracts particular birds that you might like to watch.

Thistle seed is one of the most expensive seeds you can buy.

However, besides attracting the bright Goldfinches, these wild bird feeders have another advantage.

Squirrels normally do not like thistle.

Due to the seed being tiny, they hold a large amount of seed. They generally attract Goldfinches, (and other Finches such as the Red Finch and House Finch) Siskins, and Redpolls. It is the Goldfinch that is the one that most people want to attract.


Thistle Bird Feeder - Types

A tube feeder is one kind. This has smaller openings than normal tube feeders to accommodate the small thistle seeds. The tube feeder may have just a few perches or it may have a multitude of them. It is quite a site to see a flock of Goldfinches at these feeding stations.

You can also buy a thistle bird feeder in the shape of a tube, but made of mesh. Birds can feed and cling at many places on the feeder. The mesh is often made of stainless steel and is very tough. Since finches other than Goldfinches like longer perches, more Goldfinches will be attracted, as there are no perches at all.

There is also a finch sock feeder. It is actually a cloth mesh bag that can be filled with nyjer seed.

A pole feeding station is one in which there is a pole with numerous arms from which hanging feeders can be connected. There are many other options for setting up the station too, such as connecting feeding trays, nesting boxes, suet feeders and more.

You can even buy them as window feeders, so you can watch the Goldfinches up close.

It may take Goldfinches awhile to come to your feeders, as they are particular. Just make sure that the thistle seed stays fresh and does not get wet while you are waiting.

Sitting outside and watching Goldfinches at thistle feeders is a delightful experience. Their color in the summer is a bright yellow, and they are very showy. You might have 25 to 100 various Goldfinches at your thistle bird feeder in one day's time!

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