The best bird feeder and seed for house finches
Perch easily on tube ports. Prone to eye disease (mycoplasmal conjunctivitis), so feeder hygiene matters most for this species. If you see a finch with swollen, crusty eyes, take feeders down and clean them for a week.
Which feeder types do house finches use?
| Feeder | Holds | Squirrels | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tube feeder | Sunflower, hearts, mixes | Poor unless caged or weight-activated | The workhorse for small clinging birds. Metal ports resist squirrel chewing. |
| Hopper feeder | Sunflower, safflower, mixes | Poor unless weight-activated or baffled | A house-shaped reservoir with a wide ledge. The best all-round feeder for cardinals. |
| Platform or tray feeder | Anything | None at all | Draws the widest range of species, including ground feeders. Needs a mesh floor for drainage and daily cleanup. |
Feeders house finches use, budget to premium
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What seed do house finches like best?
| Food | Why | Storage |
|---|---|---|
| Black oil sunflower | High oil content and a thin shell make it the widest-appeal seed there is. Most feeder birds in most of North America eat it. | Keeps well for months in a sealed metal can |
| Sunflower hearts and chips | Costs more per pound but nothing is wasted as shell weight, and nothing sprouts under the feeder. The best choice over a patio or deck. | Spoils faster; buy what you use in a few weeks |
| Nyjer (thistle) | Not related to thistle despite the name. Imported nyjer is heat-treated so it does not sprout. Needs a feeder with tiny ports or mesh or it pours out. | Goes stale in weeks; buy small bags |
| Safflower | Bitter to many squirrels, grackles, starlings and house sparrows. Birds may need a week or two to switch to it; mix it with sunflower at first. | Keeps well |
Food to buy for house finches
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Where and when should you feed house finches?
- Height and spot: 5 feet.
- When: Year round; often the most numerous bird at suburban feeders.
- Range: Almost all of the US.
- Feeding style: Feeds at hanging feeders; a pole with a baffle keeps squirrels off without bothering them.
The same setup also brings cardinals, blue jays, goldfinches, chickadees and titmice, which use the same feeder types.
Nesting: A cup in a hanging plant, wreath, ledge or dense conifer. Do house finches use birdhouses?
Feeders for other birds
Cardinals · Blue Jays · Goldfinches · Chickadees · Titmice · Nuthatches · Woodpeckers · Bluebirds · Wrens · Orioles · Hummingbirds · Mourning Doves · Juncos · Native Sparrows · Towhees · Grosbeaks · Robins · Mockingbirds · Pine Siskins · Purple Finches · Redpolls · Keeping starlings and grackles away · Red-bellied Woodpeckers · Downy Woodpeckers · Cedar Waxwings · Quail
Get the house finches feeding checklist
Feeder, seed, height and cleaning schedule for house finches on one printable page.
Used only to send the checklist.Frequently asked questions
What is the best bird feeder for house finches?
A tube feeder is the most reliable choice for house finches. Perch easily on tube ports. Prone to eye disease (mycoplasmal conjunctivitis), so feeder hygiene matters most for this species. Pair it with black oil sunflower, place it 5 feet, and keep it clean every two weeks. A second feeder type such as a hopper feeder widens the appeal without adding much work.
What do house finches eat at feeders?
In order of preference: black oil sunflower, sunflower hearts and chips, nyjer (thistle) and safflower. High oil content and a thin shell make it the widest-appeal seed there is. Most feeder birds in most of North America eat it. Offer one food per feeder rather than a mix, so birds are not flicking unwanted grains onto the ground to get at the one they want.
Where should I put a feeder for house finches?
5 feet. Keep it within 3 feet of a window or beyond 30 feet to avoid collisions, at least 10 feet from anything a squirrel can jump from, and 10 to 12 feet from dense shrubs so house finches can reach cover without cats being able to ambush them.
When do house finches come to feeders?
Year round; often the most numerous bird at suburban feeders. Range: Almost all of the US. Keep feeders stocked and clean through the season house finches are present in your area, since a feeder that is empty for several days is often abandoned for a neighbour's.
Do house finches use birdhouses?
No. A cup in a hanging plant, wreath, ledge or dense conifer. They will take a sheltered ledge or even a hanging basket, but not usually a hole box.