The various finch species have long been favorites at bird feeders.  They are identified by their cone shaped beaks and undulating (wave shaped) flight.  In their various forms they are colorful, acrobatic and most have very pleasant voices.  The most popular finches at American feeders include the American Goldfinch (often called the wild canary), Lesser Goldfinch, Lawrence's Goldfinch, Pine Siskin, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll, House Finch, Cassin's Finch and Purple Finch.  In some parts of the Rocky Mountains the various Rosy Finches are also attracted to feeders in winter.  One or more species of finches are found in every state of the United States, especially in the winter.

Most finches are specialty feeders in nature.  They are known as "cling and peck" feeders because they prefer to cling to the end of a flower or grass stock and pick the seeds from the heads.  At feeders thistle, sometimes called nyger or nyjer, seed is a favorite of these species.  This should be provided to these birds in a way that they might utilize their cling and peck feeding technique.  The most popular thistle bird feeders do not have perches, but allow the birds to cling to the side of the feeder and peck the seed from the feeder much as they would in nature.  Many finch species also like the small black oil sunflower seeds.  These may also be provided in specialized sunflower feeders to accomodate the cling and peck feeding style of these birds.   If you have a thistle feeder which has perches do not despair.  As shown below in the picture, finches may use perches when they fly into the feeder, but usually use cling and peck for actual feeding.

For maximum enjoyment feeders should be placed five to six feet from a source of cover such as a tree shrub or brushpile.  This is far enough away for the birds to see a predator hiding in the cover waiting for an opportunity to pounce or for the birds to hide in when a predator flies over.  Feeders should be placed at a level where you can easily observe them from your home or yard.

Water is another essential in attracting, not only finches, but other birds also.  Running water is literaly a bird magnet.  Water may be provided in the form of a bird bath or, more elaborately, a small backyard pond kit.  Drippers or misters may be added to these water features to enhance the running water effect making them even more irresistible to birds.

In the spring and early summer finches and other birds build nests to raise families.  An added attraction for these birds is to put out nesting material which they will use to line their nests.  This material attracts, not only finches, but a large number of birds which do not normally come to bird feeders.

You can also use plantings in your yard to attract finches.  Massed plantings of evergreens are useful for nesting and protection from wind and bad weather.  Flowers in the sunflower family including sunflowers, blanketflowers, coneflowers, ornamental thistles, and grasses are all preferred by finches.  Remember not to deadhead the flowers as it is the seeds that the finches want.  If you have an area where you can just let these flowers go wild you will get flocks of these colorful birds all fall and winter.

Finches add color and charm to any backyard in which they are found.  We are professional ornithologists (bird people) and we have run a bird banding station on our properties for the last 40 years so attracting birds is very important in our lives.  Over the years we have perfected our bird attracting techniques and are now helping others to enjoy the birds as much as we do.  Stop by our EBAY Store and let us help you formulate a backyard habitat for the birds in your area.