Nyjer seed, often mistakenly called "thistle seed," is a favorite among many small birds, especially finches. This tiny black or brown seed, derived from the African Daisy (Guizotia abyssinica), is packed with oil, providing a nutritious and energy-rich food source for backyard birds.
Guizotia abyssinica, the source of Nyjer seed.
What is Nyjer Seed?
Nyjer “Guizotia abyssinica” is a tiny black or brown imported birdseed. The genus “Guizotia” consists of six species, of which five, including niger, are native to the Ethiopian highlands. In 1930, the Cambridge Botanical Congress proposed the name “Guizotia abyssinica” as the correct name. It has been so-called since 1954 when the Botanical International Congress listed it in a book identifying all known seeds on earth.
Nyjer seed is a minute black seed from Guizotia abyssinica that grows in the world's warm belts, such as India and Ethiopia. The Wild Bird Feeding Institute (WBFI) recommends using the term NYJER® to avoid mispronunciation of "Niger." NYJER® has been a registered trademark of the Wild Bird Feeding Institute since 1999.
Nutritional Benefits of Nyjer Seed
Nyjer seed is high in oil, making it a nutritious source of energy for backyard birds. Nyjer® provides lots of protein and energy for them. Small birds are fond of eating tiny seeds in their meals to become strong and full of energy. Because they have fluffy parts, they can fly in the air. The wind carries them far away, helping new plants grow in different places.
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When finches are searching for food, a finch feeder chock-full of Nyjer® seed is a welcome sight. This oil gives a lot of energy, helping them stay strong and active. This is particularly true when cold, as the body cannot produce natural warmth.
Attracting Birds with Nyjer Seed
Wild birds flock to feeders that have this seed because of its high oil content. Finches love tiny seeds. These small creatures have sharp beaks that help them pick up and eat minimal food. In North America, it is the favorite food of the finches, including the beautiful goldfinch.
If you’d like to add another feeder to your yard, a tube feeder filled with Nyjer® seed will specifically attract finches, such as American Goldfinches, House Finches, and Purple Finches. Still, Indigo Buntings, Red Polls, and Pine Siskins love it too - increasing the variety of species you draw to your yard.
To help them find your feeder faster you can try tying something yellow to the Nyjer® feeder (like a piece of ribbon) they seem to show a preference to the colour yellow.
Nyjer Seed vs. Thistle Seed
Many people think the Nyjer and Thistle seeds are the same. They look alike, and they are both small and dark. But they come from different plants. Nyjer comes from the Guizotia abyssinica plant. Thistle seeds come from the thistle plant.
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Because finches are known for eating thistle seeds, the Nyjer® seed was initially marketed as such, even though they produce an altogether different plant. While Nyjer® is sometimes mistakenly called "thistle seed," it is not related to true thistle plants. The Nyjer seed is not derived from any native or non-native thistle plant. It is frowned upon to use the term "Thistle" in the industry due to the confusion it may cause.
Here's a comparison of Nyjer and thistle seeds:
| Feature | Nyjer Seed | Thistle Seed |
|---|---|---|
| Plant Source | Guizotia abyssinica (African Daisy) | Thistle plant |
| Oil Content | Higher | Lower |
| Availability | More common in stores | Less common, harder to find |
| Messiness | Lighter, easier to clean | Can be messier |
Choosing the Right Feeder
Different types of feeders work better for Nyjer seed. Here are a few options:
- Slit hole tube feeder: They hold up well to the elements, are easy to fill, and keep seed dry. My finches love them, seemingly better then any other style.
- Thistle socks: The finches like them, they keep sparrows off, they are cheap in price, and a lot of birds can use them at once.
- Mesh feeder: The birds tend to dislike them, probably due to the fact that the metal is probably not so comfortable to shove their beaks into. They do hold up to squirrels, and also to the environment, and are easy to clean.
The perches on slit hole tube feeder allow house sparrows to have a seat and eat your expensive niger seed.
Ensuring Freshness and Quality
Goldfinches can be picky eaters and like Nyjer® to be fresh. Nyjer® is an oily seed which is why finches go crazy for it. However Nyjer® seed can also dry out after a few months. When this seed isn't sold and consumed in a timely fashion, it can dry out and become much less appealing to the finches you want to draw into your yard. That's why it's important to turn to a trusted source like Lyric Wild Bird Food, which uses Stay Fresh technology in packaging the Nyjer® Seed.
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How can you tell if your Nyjer® is still good? Simple, take a few seeds and a piece of white printer paper or paper towel. Crush the seeds onto the paper and look for oil blotches. If oil stains are present the Nyjer® is still fresh. Purchase Nyjer® in smaller quantities to avoid any drying out of the seeds.
Look at the color: Fresh seed is dark black. Touch the seed: It feels slightly oily. Smell it: Fresh seed has a mild, nutty smell. Store Nyjer seed in a cool, dry place to keep it fresh longer.
Sometimes, the tiny creatures that usually eat Nyjer seed ignore it. If Nyjer seed is not being eaten, try changing it for a fresh batch. The seed is old or bad: These seeds that are too dry, stale, or moldy cannot be eaten. Nyjer seed does not last forever. Over time, it loses its oil, becomes dry, and does not taste good anymore.
Imported Nyjer is controlled by the USDA and the treatment schedule is T412-a Heat Treatment at 248°F (120°C) for fifteen minutes. The of heat treatment is to devitalize noxious or quarantine significant weed seeds and it is unlikely after treatment at such a high temperature.
How to attract goldfinches. Alex Sally nyjer feeder top tip (wales england) hd
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