Friday, August 25, 2017

Thistle Seed

The downy seed from a Thistle provides nest material for Goldfinches.  They do not nest until the Thistle has flowered and seeded out.

Thistle down

We have a few Goldfinches. They visit the Thistle ( Niger Thistle Seed) feeder and the bird bath.  Niger Thistle Seed is heat treated so it is a sterile seed…  it won’t produce thistle plants in your yard.

Goldfinches

Here is one pair a male on the left and his dowdy female partner on the right.  I hope we see little finches soon.

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10 comments:

linda m said...

I have goldfinches in my yard and feed them Nyjer seed. I could leave the feeder out year round if I wanted to and they would be there. Such lovely birds. I bring the feeder in in the winter as I don't like trotting thru the snow . Love your pair. Have a great weekend.

DJan said...

I didn't know that about the thistle seed. I used to have a nyger feeder but the neighbors complained about all the black bits that were everywhere. I love your pair and also hope you'll have some young ones. :-)

Phyllis Pritchard said...

Interesting about the Goldfinches, I did not know that.

Sam I Am...... said...

I did not know that or that birds had babies this late in the season. I love the goldfinches!

Red said...

I seldom see goldfinches at my place. I know they're common in the area.

Paula said...

I don't think we see goldfinches here. We do have a lot of Orioles though and they are so brightly colored too!

Granny Marigold said...

Goldfinches are such pretty birds. They stick around here until nesting time then go to the countryside where the thistles are.

Country Gal said...

Lovely photos . We have had the Goldfinches here for months and they seem to nest here in June and July some leave late summer and some stay behind . The Nijar food prices here go up and down for us who like to feed the finches , we also get the Pine Siskens who are also of the finch family as well as the House and Purple finch . Thanks for sharing , hope your Goldfinches show up soon . Have a good weekend !

Anonymous said...

Love seeing the female goldfinch. I don't think I've seen one before. Thanks for sharing.

Linda Reeder said...

They are such lovely little birds. We seldom see them here at our feeder in the suburbs.