For American goldfinches, common and hoary redpolls, house and purple finches, and pine siskins, niger seed (thistle) provides a great food source throughout the winter. These species will all utilize commercial finch feeders. These species can also be fed finch mix, although feeders with wider feeding ports are required.
Should I put out bird seed in winter?
Should I feed birds throughout the year? It is unnecessary. When birds require the greatest energy, such as during temperature extremes, migration, or in late winter or early spring when natural food supplies are exhausted, bird feeding is most beneficial.
In the summer, most birds do not require your assistance. During nesting and raising their young, many birds focus on consuming insects; hence, they require less food. It is crucial for young birds to learn how to obtain food organically, therefore refrain from filling feeders throughout the summer. This rule is broken by hummingbirds and goldfinches.
Offer nectar in feeders to your summer hummingbirds to fuel their high metabolism, and supply nyjer seed to your goldfinches, who nest later than other birds, until the thistles go to seed. Amazon.com has bird feeders
Can you scatter bird seed on snow?
There are a number of advantageous locations for scattering bird seed on the ground. Uncultivated land is likely the most evident. The seeds will be very visible to birds, particularly if the ground is frozen. Unconsumed seeds that thaw will ultimately mold if not consumed.
On the other hand, it will adhere to the mud and become concentrated in a smaller region. It ought to be simpler to clean up. Some individuals scatter a handful of seeds on a snow crust. As long as the snow remains intact, the seeds will remain accessible. If it melts and refreezes, the birds may be able to see it through a layer of ice, but they will be unable to reach it.
Bird seed is very visible and accessible on cement patios and walkways. These placements make it very simple for birds to consume the seed. One caution, however: The seeds might provide a slipping danger. The spherical, firm seeds can be rolled underfoot.
Alternatively, rotting shells and bird droppings might make the path slick. Under a patio table, you might sow seeds if your yard has frequent snowfall. The table can prevent snow from accumulating on the seed. It is likely not a good idea to scatter bird seed on gravel or grass. The seeds will likely germinate in the spring after being lost by the birds.
Important consideration while feeding birds is the ability to observe them from within your home. This is especially true when feeding ground-feeding birds. They will be less visible on the ground. Therefore, you will want an unobstructed view from a huge window in your residence. 
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| Spotted Towhee Photo by Greg Gillson |
Finches Consume Fresh Black Seed – Be careful to get seed with a strong black hue. The finches will not eat dark, rotten-looking seed. Thistle seed (also known as Nyjer ®) dries up rapidly; thus, you should store fresh thistle in the freezer until you are ready to use it.
This prevents the seed from drying out before it is placed in your finch feeders. It is advisable to acquire thistle as required; get a quantity of seeds that the birds in your yard will devour within a month. If you squeeze a seed with your fingernail and no oil comes out, it is not fresh and the finches will not eat it.
Actually, finches can detect the difference. They usually visit feeders with fresh thistle and typically neglect ones containing old, shriveled seeds.
Why don’t goldfinches consume thistle seed?
LITTLEJANNIE Schaumburg, IL(Zone 5a) Jun 19, 2011 Does anyone know why the finches refuse to consume the thistle seed I’ve offered them? I’ve tried many feeders, but the birds just eat a seed or two and never return. In the past, they were all over it.
Could there be a problem with the seed? This item is costly! Hi LJ, It might be because the seed is stale (from being stored for too long in a warehouse) or that they prefer sunflower chips. Neither do my appear very interested in thistle. burn 2007 Grand-Falls, New Brunswick (Zone 4a) on June 19, 2011 Thistle is not a favorite of mine either.
Currently, they appear to favor sunflower seeds. I did observe activity once the baby birds had fledged. They introduce the thistle feeder to them. LITTLEJANNIE Schaumburg, IL(Zone 5a) Jun 19, 2011 Thank you for the data. The seed is quite stale. Soon, my sunflowers will blossom, and like they do every year, they will consume themselves to death.
- This fall, I’ll purchase fresh thistle to determine its effectiveness.20 June 2011 Resin Northumberland, United Kingdom (Zone 9a) Perhaps due to the season, there is an abundance of natural foods at the moment.
- It is best to keep seed in a cool environment to prevent rancidity.
- The resin McCool Millbury, Massachusetts (Zone 5a) on June 26, 2011 You must also prevent it from getting wet once it is in the feeder.
Despite being shielded by a huge cover, the seed in our feeder has occasionally been damaged by a driving downpour. Once this occurs, the seed is no longer viable (and as previously said, it is rather pricey)! LITTLEJANNIE Schaumburg, IL(Zone 5a) Jun 27, 2011 Thank you for the further information.
Why Birds Need Your Assistance During the Winter – Birds can and can melt snow and ice to drink, but liquid water is safer and more convenient. Energy is required to melt snow, energy that is required to scavenge for food when resources are short. The use of slightly melted water lowers a bird’s body temperature, leaving it more susceptible to predators, cold snaps, and other dangers. 
What do wintertime birds drink?
The frozen, snow-capped waterways are lovely. However, birds confront several obstacles when drinking and preening with water. Yes, birds must drink water to maintain a healthy metabolism during the winter. They are kept warm and hydrated by water under adverse weather conditions.
- How can birds drink water when ita€TMs cold outside in the winter? The majority of birds expend precious energy to reheat the snow to body temperature.
- When the snow melts, they drink the resulting water.
- In addition, many backyard bird watchers provide fresh water in birdbaths, which helps birds quench their hunger.
Aside from that, you may have further questions, such as how to provide winter birds with water, where to install a winter birdbath, and how to prevent the water in your birdbath from freezing. In this post, we will discuss all of the above. We have an article about the winter survival strategies of birds.
