Niger seeds (sometimes called nyger or nyjer seeds) are a popular seed among many wild birds. They can be enjoyed on their own as a tasty snack or as part of a yummy bird seed mix.
PICTURED: Ring-Pull™ Niger Feeder
Keep reading to discover more about niger seed, including what birds like to eat it and how best to use it.
WHAT IS NIGER SEED?
Niger seeds come from the ramtil plant, which is native to Ethiopia. They are closely related to sunflower seeds.
The small black seeds are commonly used in bird feeds as their high oil, healthy fats and protein content makes them a fantastic addition to a healthy and balanced avian diet.
As we’ve mentioned, they’re a super delicious and nutritious snack, enjoyed by lots of different wild birds. Let’s take a look at some of the birds that love eating niger seed…
WHAT BIRDS LIKE TO EAT NIGER SEED?
Lots of birds love niger seeds, including the following species:
- Finches (goldfinch, chaffinch, greenfinch, bullfinch, etc.)
- Sparrows
- Redpolls
- Siskins
- Doves and pigeons
Niger is especially popular among small seed-eating birds like finches. Their sharp, pointed beaks are the perfect tools for breaking the shells open to get at the seed. That's why niger seed is included in both our Native Finch Mix and our Premium Finch Mix.
LEFT: Native Finch Mix // RIGHT: Premium Finch Mix
It’s not just small birds that enjoy these tasty seeds, though; much bigger birds like pigeons have also been known to bully their way in and steal niger seeds, or to loiter on the ground below bird feeders to eat any seeds that have fallen. To prevent this, we suggest placing a seed tray beneath your bird feeder to catch the seeds that fall loose.
READ MORE: How to Keep Pigeons Away from Bird Feeders
HOW TO FEED NIGER SEED TO BIRDS
Because niger seeds are quite small, it’s best that you feed them to birds using a special niger seed feeder.
You can add niger seeds to your bird feeders all year round, but they’re particularly beneficial for winter feeding because they’re packed with oils, fats and protein that will help to keep birds warm and energised.
BUY NIGER SEEDS FROM REALLY WILD BIRD FOOD
If you’d like to attract a beautiful variety of wild birds to your garden, we highly recommend niger seeds! These tasty seeds are guaranteed to encourage your local birds to visit you time and time again.
Buy Straight Niger Seeds Buy Finch Seed Mix
