The finch (Fringillidae) family comprises more than 200 different species across a variety of different habitats. In fact, finches can be found in almost every part of the world - the only exceptions are Australia and the polar regions.
FUN FINCH FACT: Did you know that a flock of goldfinches is called a charm? How charming!
Finches frequently appear on lists of 'Britain's favourite birds', and it's not hard to see why! With their colourful plumage and enchanting songs, finches are a solid favourite among birders. The UK is home to many different finches, including the chaffinch, bullfinch, crossbill, siskin and redpoll.
If you're hoping to attract finches to your garden, we've put together this handy guide to help you select the best bird foods to boost your chances of a finch coming to visit.
What do finches like to eat?
Finches have evolved to have conical bills, well suited to eating seeds and nuts. As such, finches are generally seed eaters who enjoy a wide variety of different plant seeds.
Finches are predominately vegetarian, but depending on the season and food availability, finches will also eat insects along with certain fruits, berries and other vegetation.
What bird foods attract finches?
If you're hoping to attract finches to your garden, we recommend putting out bird seeds as these make up a large percentage of the finch's natural diet.
Finches are particularly fond of niger seeds. They also enjoy chowing down on sunflower seeds and sunflower hearts when they're available.
Here at Really Wild Bird Food, we offer a range of homemade seed mixes that are specifically formulated to appeal to finches and attract them to your feeder. Try these two for starters:
Native Finch Mix Premium Finch Mix
If you have any further questions about wild bird feeding, finches, or anything else for that matter, reach out and contact us today! One of our friendly team members will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.
READ MORE: What Birds Can You See in Your Garden in Summer?
