Finches: What They Eat & Recommended Feeders in Canada
How to Attract Finches (Quick Guide)
Quick answer: The best way to attract finches is to offer black oil sunflower seed for consistency, and add nyjer (thistle) seed if you want to increase goldfinch activity, using a small-port finch feeder hung 5–8 ft high in a calm spot with a clear view and nearby cover.
Finches are small, active birds that often travel and feed in groups. When a feeding spot feels safe and consistent, they tend to return in larger numbers — sometimes in waves.
Below is a practical look at what finches eat, the feeder styles that suit them best, and how to set up your yard so visits become more frequent.
What Do Finches Eat?
Finches prefer small seeds they can eat quickly while perching or clinging. In most Canadian yards, their food choices stay fairly consistent year-round.
- Black oil sunflower seed
- Sunflower hearts and finely mixed seed blends
- Nyjer (thistle) seed (especially popular with goldfinches)
Tip: If larger birds push finches away, switch to a feeder with smaller ports and less exposed seed. That keeps feeding calmer and reduces waste.
What Is a Finch?
Finches are small seed-eating songbirds known for their short, conical beaks and social feeding behaviour. In Canada, common finches include goldfinches, house finches, and pine siskins.
If you see small birds feeding calmly in groups and returning often, there’s a good chance you’re watching finches.
Recommended Feeders for Finches
Finches feed comfortably in close groups and are strong clingers. Feeders with small openings help reduce waste and discourage larger birds.
- Finch-specific tube feeders with small ports
- Clinging-style feeders with limited perch space
- Stable feeders that don’t swing wildly when crowded
A feeder designed specifically for finches:
Tip: Wide-perch feeders often let larger birds dominate, which usually reduces finch activity.
Where to Place Feeders for Finches
- Hang feeders about 5–8 feet off the ground
- Place in an open line-of-sight area
- Keep feeders within quick reach of shrubs or trees for escape cover
- Clean feeders regularly so ports don’t clog
Finches often arrive in bursts. When a feeder stays clean and easy to use, those visits usually become more frequent.
Finches Through the Seasons
Finches rely more on natural food sources in warmer months, but many still visit feeders — especially early morning and late afternoon.
During colder weather or sudden temperature drops, feeders become more important. A consistent setup helps finches continue using your yard reliably.
Bottom line: consistency beats complexity.
What Is a Finch’s Favourite Food?
Most finches rely on sunflower seed as their primary food, because it’s easy to crack and high in energy. Goldfinches also strongly favour nyjer (thistle) seed, especially when it’s fresh and kept dry.
If finches visit but don’t stay long, stale or clumped seed is often the issue.
Male vs Female Finches
Male and female finches can look different depending on species and season — especially goldfinches. Both sexes feed the same way and use the same feeder types.
If finches are visiting regularly, your setup is already working.
Shop the Finch Basics
Simple, reliable finch setup:
- Start with black oil sunflower seed for consistent daily feeding.
- Use a true finch feeder with small ports, like the Brome Squirrel Buster Finch Feeder (1016) , to limit waste and competition.
- Add nyjer seed in a dedicated feeder to increase goldfinch visits.
Why this works: small ports + consistent seed = calmer feeding and repeat daily visits.