Birdfeeders

The tiny black seeds loved by gold finches and other finches as well are known by many names. I don’t think anyone really knows how they became known as thistle seed for they are definitely NOT part of the thistle family. Thistle feeders are actually designed to hold the seeds of the African plant Guizotia abyssinica which is actually a tall daisy that has yellow flowers. The English variation of this name is niger. The seeds are sterilized to prevent germination and sold in the U.S. under the names of either Niger or the now more frequently used spelling of Nyjer. The seeds are sterilized so that any seeds dropped from thistle feeders won’t sprout and grow in our yards. This newest spelling, Nyjer, is trademarked by the Wild Bird Feeding Industry of North America. Whatever these seeds are called, finches adore them!