A Simple Guide to Welcoming Finches to Your Yard

Watching finches, especially the bright yellow American Goldfinch, can bring so much joy to a backyard. These lively birds are beautiful and entertaining, but they can sometimes be a little particular about where they choose to eat.

Don't worry—attracting them is easier than you think! With the right food, feeders, and a welcoming environment, you can make your yard a favorite spot for finches all year round.

It All Starts with the Right Food

If there's one secret to attracting finches, it's this: fresh seed is everything. Finches are picky and can tell if the seed is old and dried out.

• Top Choices: Finches absolutely love Nyjer® seed (also called thistle) and black oil sunflower seeds. These seeds are high in the oil that gives them energy.
• Check for Freshness: Nyjer® seed can dry out quickly. Before you fill a feeder, grab a few seeds and pinch them between your fingernails. If a little oil comes out, the seed is fresh. If it's dry and dusty, the finches will likely ignore it.
• Buy Small, Store Smart: It's best to buy only as much seed as your birds will eat in about a month. To keep it fresh even longer, store your extra seed in the freezer or refrigerator.

Pick the Right Feeder

While finches might sample from any feeder, using one designed for them works best.

• For Nyjer® Seed: Use special finch feeders like mesh socks, feeder tubes with small feeding ports, or mesh-style feeders. These are perfect for their tiny beaks and prevent the small seeds from spilling.
• For Sunflower Seeds: Since sunflower seeds are larger, you’ll need a hopper, tray, or a standard tube feeder to offer them. You’ll likely attract other beautiful birds with sunflower seeds, too!

Create a Finch-Friendly Space

Making your yard feel safe and inviting is key to keeping finches around.

• Safety First: Place your feeders near a bush or tree. This gives finches a safe place to hide from predators and encourages them to check out a new feeder. Once they're used to it, you can move it a bit further away to keep squirrels from jumping onto it.
• Add a Splash of Color: Birds are drawn to bright colors. Tie a colorful ribbon to your feeder or a nearby branch. The color and movement in the wind can signal to passing finches that the area is safe and active. Planting colorful flowers like Black-Eyed Susans also helps your yard stand out.
• Plant a Natural Buffet: Finches love to eat seeds directly from plants. Consider letting dandelions, grasses, and flowers like thistle go to seed. They’ll also use soft plant material like milkweed or cattail fluff to build their nests.
• Don't Forget Water: A reliable source of fresh water is a huge draw for all birds. A simple birdbath works great. In the winter, a heated birdbath that keeps the water from freezing will make your yard a true oasis.

Keep It Clean

Finches are sticklers for cleanliness. They will avoid a feeder that is dirty, moldy, or has clumped, wet seed.

• Regular Cleaning: Wash your feeders every couple of weeks with hot, soapy water. If you see any mold, use a solution of nine parts water to one part bleach for a deep clean, then rinse thoroughly and let it dry completely before refilling.
• Stay Dry: After it rains, seed can get wet and clog the feeder. A simple weather guard or dome placed over your feeder can help keep the seed dry and fresh.

A Few Final Tips

• If Finches Aren't Finding a New Feeder: Sometimes it takes birds a while to notice something new. Try temporarily taking down your other feeders for a few days to encourage them to explore.
• If Finches Only Eat Half the Food: Finches are famous for eating the top half of the seed in a feeder and ignoring the bottom. When you refill it, simply empty the leftover seed into a container, fill the feeder halfway with fresh seed, and pour the leftover seed back on top. This way, they’ll finish their "leftovers" first!

Happy birding