If you look more closely on droll yankee bird feeders, you would notice tiny, black bird seed known as nyjer or thistly seeds. Wild birds like goldfinches, redpolls, doves and sparrows love nyjer because it is rich in calories. These bird seeds are not locally available and are commonly imported from Asia and Africa to be used by bird owners and bird feeding aficionados all over the world.
To keep germs out of nyjer seeds, they are sterilized just like what is done on ordinary wild bird seed. Seeds fall out of the feeder because other birds sift their favorite bird seeds. But you need not worry about this because even if seeds are on the ground, it won’t grow and birds can come back for them any time.
In spite all the good things about thistle or nyjer seeds, there are two disadvantages. First, the sizes of the seeds can only fit special feeders like oriole bird feeders since these seeds are very small. Second, since these seeds are not bought locally, it may be quite expensive. Buying thistly seeds are that expensive that is why it is called as “black gold”. You would see thistle seeds look pretty much the same as wild rice but only come in tinier granules. If ever you come across the terms “thistle weeds” and “thistle bird seeds”, they are not the same.
As what you can see in Figure 1, finches are the best birds to eat on thistle bird feeders because of its small openings which can only hold tiny nyjer seeds. Those thistle bird feeders that are made out of thistle sacks are a lot cheaper. But as compared to plastic or metal, thistle sacks do not last that long. For the bird seeds to last longer, keep them away from getting wet. This would cost you even more once this happens.
So why do you need to buy this type of bird feeds when you can choose other cheaper versions? Think about the analogy of a child to a parent. Since you love wild birds so much, then you would do anything to keep them happy by providing them their best needs.
Owners of thistle bird feeders want this very much. If some sort of amount is needed for the birds’ sake, then they would be willing to spend. Good quality of bird seeds are needed by finches and other wild birds.
In addition, the prospect to see these colorful birds is an astonishing sight to behold. That moment cannot be replaced by anything. If giving them the satisfaction from superior class of bird seeds will make them come on a regular basis to feeders then so be it.
Having thistle bird feeders will definitely be an investment. It is very fun to watch wild birds flock toward the feeders. Better get your own thistle feeders to keep you smiling all day.
