Have you seen the tiny, black thistle seed, aka Nyjer seed, in a store or a feeder? Or wondered where you can buy it inexpensively?

Have you wondered what kind of birds it attracts?

Small, high-caloric Nyjer seeds attract finches, martins, siskins, redpolls, and other birds. It works best in a tube feeder designed specifically for thistle seed, although you can provide it in other types of feeders.

Where to Buy

Although Nyjer seed is often available at your local pet store, you can usually find it, like other birdseed, online for less money and higher quality. eBirdseed has it in various amounts, including 20 and 60 pounds.

What Kind of Feeder

Tube feeders specifically designed for thistle are best, like this one I've reviewed in the past or this prettier one. Also available are mesh feeders made in fabric or wire materials. And, of course, you can always provide it in a platform feeder, too.

Misnomer

Thistle seed isn't really thistle seed at all. The seed comes from Guizotia abyssinica, an annual herb from Ethiopia. Because finches like true thistle, the early marketers of the herb called it thistle to entice bird lovers to buy the product.

Common names for Guizotia abyssinica include niger, nyger, niger, ramtilla, inga, and noog. The most preferred name is Nyjer.