House finches are common backyard birds that can be found across most of North America. With their reddish-brown heads and chests and streaked brown bodies, these finches bring color and activity to backyards and bird feeders. Providing food and water for house finches is a great way to attract them to your yard. But what exactly should you feed these birds? Here are some quick tips on feeding house finches:
– Black oil sunflower seeds are a favorite food. Finches will cling to feeders to eat these small, meaty seeds.
– Nyjer seed is another good option that will attract finches.
– Avoid cheaper “mixed bird seed” which contains filler seeds house finches don’t prefer.
– Offer finch feeders with small perches as house finches eat while clinging, not sitting.
– Supply fresh water daily, away from feeders to avoid contamination.
With the right foods offered, you’ll soon have house finches flocking to your backyard feeders. Keep reading for more detailed information on how to best feed these colorful songbirds.
What Do House Finches Eat in the Wild?
House finches are considered seedeaters or granivores. Their natural diet consists mainly of small seeds from annual plants like amaranth, ragweed, thistle, and grasses. They use their conical beaks to crack open seeds and eat the inner kernels. House finches sometimes also eat berries, buds, and occasionally insects.
Here are some of the top foods house finches seek out in their natural habitat:
Seeds
– Amaranth
– Lamb’s quarters
– Foxtail grass
– Ragweed
– Thistle
– Dandelion
Finches use their beaks to pry open seeds and consume just the soft inner kernel inside.
Fruit
– Blackberries
– Raspberries
– Strawberries
– Mulberries
House finches especially love fruit during the summer months when ripe berries are abundant.
Buds & Shoots
– Tree buds from elm, maple or willow trees
– New shoots from vines and shrubs
Buds and fresh new growth provide an important source of nutrients in spring and early summer.
Insects
– Aphids
– Caterpillars
– Beetles
– Grasshoppers
– Ants
While not a primary food source, insects do supplement house finches’ diets especially during nesting season when they need extra protein. Parents will feed insect matter to their young.
Best Foods to Offer House Finches
When it comes to your backyard bird feeders, there are several types of foods that will attract house finches readily:
Black Oil Sunflower Seeds
Black oil sunflower seeds are a supreme food to offer seed-loving house finches. The small size and thin shells of these sunflower seeds make them easy for finches to crack open. And the high oil content provides calories and nutrition to fuel these active birds.
Look for black oil sunflower seeds with the highest oil content you can find – ideally 40% or higher. Serve them in finch feeders rather than mixed bird feeders to prevent larger birds from muscling in and scaring the finches away.
Nyjer Seed
Also known as thistle seed, tiny nyjer seeds are another excellent option for finches. The name comes from Nigeria where these seeds are grown. They are small, black seeds that house finches really take to.
You’ll need a special nyjer seed feeder with small holes for these tiny seeds. The birds will cling to the feeder and pull out one seed at a time.
Cracked Corn
Cracked and crushed corn kernels attract ground-feeding house finches. Sprinkle some on a platform feeder or right on the ground. Just be aware that other larger birds like starlings may hog this food source.
Peanut Pieces
Chopped peanuts are a treat that attracts house finches. Just offer them sparsely along with other foods in a hopper or platform feeder.
Foods to Avoid Feeding House Finches
There are some types of foods you’ll want to avoid offering to attract house finches:
Mixed Bird Seed
The inexpensive seed mixes sold as “wild bird food” or “mixed bird seed” at many stores contain lots of filler seeds that house finches won’t eat. Fillers like wheat, milo and oats will end up wasted on the ground.
Stick to finch-specific seeds like nyjer and sunflowers instead of these cheap mixed bird seeds.
Cracked Corn
While house finches will eat some cracked corn, cheaper “wild bird food” mixes contain a high percentage of corn. Filler corn also attracts larger, more aggressive birds who will scare finches away from feeders.
Millet
Millet is another common filler seed in mixed bird foods that house finches do not prefer. Prioritize their favorite seeds over millet.
Safflower Seeds
Safflower is often touted as a food that cardinals and chickadees love. However, house finches tend to pass up safflower seeds for tastier options.
Peanuts
While peanuts make a nice supplemental treat, they should not make up the bulk of food offered to house finches. Stick to their favorite small seeds instead.
Best Type of Bird Feeder for House Finches
To best attract house finches, you need to use the right type of bird feeder suited to how these birds like to eat. Here are some tips:
Prioritize Finch Feeders
Tube feeders made specifically for finches are best. These have small perches and feeding ports perfect for cling-feeding finches. Stay away from mixed bird feeders meant for bigger species.
Use Mesh Tube Feeders
Transparent mesh tube feeders are great for finches as they offer good visibility and ventilation. This reduces seed clogs and wet seed buildup.
Include Nyjer Feeders
To serve nyjer seed, use special finch feeders made to dispense these tiny seeds. The small ports prevent waste of this more expensive seed.
Add Platform & Hopper Feeders
For offering supplements like peanuts, cracked corn or suet, add an open platform or hopper feeder. But be aware larger birds may flock to these.
Here’s a quick comparison of different finch feeder types:
Feeder Type | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|
Mesh Tube Feeder | Good visibility, ventilation, easy cleaning | Can be expensive, holes may be large |
Plastic Tube Feeder | Inexpensive, durable, easy to fill | Poor ventilation, prone to buildup |
Nyjer Feeder | Made for tiny nyjer seeds | Only dispenses one seed type |
Hopper Feeder | Larger capacity, can serve various foods | Allows access by larger birds |
Finch Feeder Placement Tips
Where and how you position finch feeders in your yard makes a difference in how often finches come to dine. Here are some tips:
Site Near Trees & Bushes
House finches prefer to feed near some type of cover where they can dart back into bushes or trees if startled. Don’t put feeders in wide open spaces.
Distribute Multiple Feeders
Use more than one finch feeder around your yard to allow birds to spread out. This reduces competition and bullying at crowded feeders.
Elevate Feeders
Finch feeders are best positioned 4-5 feet off the ground, out of reach of predators. Hang them from tree branches, mount on poles, or set up on raised platforms.
Avoid Window Collisions
When mounting feeders on windows, use special decals or one-way film to prevent deadly bird collisions into glass.
Protect from Wind & Rain
Site feeders where they are shielded from harsh weather that can damage seeds. Porches or covered patios work well.
Best Water Features for House Finches
Fresh, clean water is just as important as food for attracting finches. Here are some tips for providing water:
Use Dripping & Misting Waterers
Finches prefer moving water from drippers, misters or small fountains. The sound is attractive and the action keeps water fresher.
Incorporate Small Bird Baths
Shallow bird baths with textured bottoms give finches a safe place to drink and bathe without drowning. Keep water very shallow.
Change Water Frequently
Empty and clean baths and waterers every few days to prevent unhealthy buildup of algae, bacteria and other contaminants.
Provide Year-Round Access
Birds require open water even in winter. Use heaters or bring birdbaths inside to prevent freezing. Offer warm water for bathing.
Use Gravel Trays
Placing birdbaths and fountains on gravel trays keeps splashed water from forming puddles that can breed mosquitoes.
Foods to Offer Year-Round
While house finch diets change a bit by season, you can maintain a year-round feeding station to attract them. Here are good all-season offerings:
Spring
– Black oil sunflower seeds
– Nyjer seed
– Cracked corn
– Peanut pieces
– Fresh fruit like raisins, berries, apple slices
– Live mealworms
Summer
– Black oil sunflower seeds
– Nyjer seed
– Finch seed mix
– Fruit like melon cubes, orange slices
– Fresh greens like lettuce, kale, spinach
Fall
– Black oil sunflower seeds
– Nyjer seed
– Finch seed mix
– Peanut pieces
– Dried fruits like raisins, cranberries, currants
Winter
– Black oil sunflower seeds
– Nyjer seed
– Cracked corn
– Peanut pieces
– Suet cubes
– Dried fruits like raisins, cranberries, currants
Conclusion
With the right selection of foods and feeders, you can easily transform your yard into a bird-watching paradise for lively house finches. Stick to their favorite seeds like nyjer and black oil sunflower. Prioritize finch-specific tube feeders placed in strategic spots near cover. Round out your backyard buffet with fresh water sources. Follow these tips to attract a colorful chorus of finches to your outdoor space.