A Different Perspective on Thistle Bird Feeders
Friday, July 29th, 2011Thistle seeds or nyjer are those tiny, black bird seed that you see on thistle bird feeders. Calories is the main nutrient that nyjer, pronounced as nay-jer has which is why goldfinches, redpolls, doves, sparrows and other wild birds prefer this. Bird owners from all over the world get these bird seeds from Asia and Africa only. Nyjer seeds are first sterilized in order to keep germs away from them just like ordinary wild bird seed. Seeds fall out of the feeder because other birds sift their favorite bird seeds. As such, these seeds will not grow when left in the ground and wild bird feeder owners can simply pick them off and put it back again on the feeder. However, thistle or nyjer seeds have two main disadvantages. First is that thistle bird feeders are the only type of feeders wherein these seeds may fit because of their very minute sizes. Second, since these seeds are not bought locally, it may be quite expensive. This is the reason why thistle seeds are also called as “black gold” because of its high price compared to other bird seed mixes. You wouldn’t miss them out because they look pretty much like small granules of wild rice. If ever you come across the terms “thistle weeds” and “thistle bird seeds”, they are not the same. Pretty much, only nyjer seeds can fit into thistle bird feeders because of the very small ports it has, as what you can see in Figure 1. Those thistle bird feeders that are made out of thistle sacks are a lot cheaper. But in spite of this, thistle sacks are prone to damage than those thistle feeders made out of plastic or metal. Thistle or nyjer seeds also require particular handling techniques. This type of bird seeds must not get wet or it will spoil rotten quickly. This would cost you even more once this happens. So why not buy cheaper kinds of bird seeds than spend so much for nyjer seeds? Well, here’s the reason for that. Being the owner of the wild bird feeder will let you do everything within your means to provide the wild birds of what’s best. 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. It is definitely fulfilling to see colorful birds huddled up together. Who would ever think that you can see these kinds of species up close? 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. Indeed, thistle bird feeders are an investment. Merely watching those wild birds eat can already make your day. As such, skip any reservations that one may feel towards bird feeding and go ahead to have thistle feeders now.