Thistle, or sometimes called nyjer, is a good food source for small finches. Its high oil content makes it a great winter food. Although this type of seed can be expensive, the finches eagerly eat it.

This seed does not come from the wildflower thistle as the name implies. Thistle is generally imported into the US from India, Ethiopia, Myanmar and Nepal and is sterilized prior to entry. Sterilization does not affect the nutrition of the seed; it prevents the seed from germinating and growing into thistle plants in your yard.

Thistle should be served to birds in a feeder designed for the small seeds. Two popular types are a tube feeder or a thistle sock. The tube is generally made of a light metal mesh formed into a cylinder with perches for the birds. A thistle sock is the same basic concept, but without perches as the birds can simply hang from the synthetic mesh.

It should be noted that thistle is prone to go bad quickly. The seed is susceptible to mold. If you live in a damp climate, consider only placing a little seed out at a time. If you notice the seed being rancid or moldy, you should dispose of it immediately as this could pose a health threat to the birds that eat it.

A listing of birds that like thistle: