I have tried Nyjer seeds on several occasions and have never had one taker. For reference I’m in the southeast region of US. I normally get hulled sunflower seeds and have no leftovers. I quit blends a few years ago because of the waste. I’ve tried to give the critters a variety but they’re committed to the sunflower seeds. Has anyone else faced this or is it just regional? Thanks for looking.
Region: Southwest USA
As others have mentioned, gold finches seem to like it. I’ve had the occasional sparrow eat it off the tray at the base of the feeder that catches spilled seed. I think the towhees will eat it off the ground, but it’s hard to tell if they’re going for seed or bugs. Other frequent visitors ignore it, which include house finches, doves, and scrub jays. The bird seed cylinder on my other feeder gets 99% of the visiting bird traffic.
I have noticed that birds take a long time to figure out what a new feeder is, up to a month of it being out daily.
This is our third year (summer & winter) trying to offer it up but no one cares. I’m not gonna get anymore. Everyone seems to dig on the sunflower so guess that’s what they’ll get.
Makes sense. I probably won’t be getting more either once this bag runs out, unless the birds change their minds about it.
I’m not familiar with birds in your area but we get it for the finches. We have a lot of gold finches in particular. Spouse says they don’t really like the feeder, but if it gets knocked over (starlings love to just toss shit around) they do eat it. We reduce feeling in the warmer months so we’re reasonably certain it is getting eaten by someone, or else it would build up on the snow.
I have read that it goes rancid quickly due to the high fat content. Perhaps yours are picky?
Picky? Yes!
In NE US, American Goldfinches are particularly fond of them.
We have a few dozen Goldie’s around and that was the primary target. I’ve watched them totally disregard the Nyjer for sunflower seeds even when the Nyjer were new. I don’t get it.
Gold finch.
You can’t say that anymore
As others said, gold finches love them. Thistle seed as a close second. House finches and sparrows will eat them too.
I will also say that how you feed them affects it too. Putting it in a hard feeder or tray is okay, but using a sock (the mesh tubes) will get you more birds.
Currently using new sock tube now. I haven’t seen one on it yet. Of any kind.
That stinks. Maybe it’s the region or they just haven’t found it yet.
I know I’ve tried to get birds that have been in my yard to come back more (jays and orioles) but no matter what I do they only show up if they want and then leave.
I’m like you though, I default to sunflower seeds because its the great universal, everybody eats them. And it’s simple enough that I don’t have to think of it on a day to day basis.
