How To Attract Finches To Your Yard | 12 Helpful Tips

Do you know more than 70 finch species are out there in today’s world? Surprisingly, there are 17 finch species available in North America. They always fascinate many backyard birders with their vibrant profiles and admirable beauty.

If you’re a bird lover, why wouldn’t you try to attract these yellow beauties to your yard by providing them with food, water, nesting area, shelter, and protection from predators? Want to know how to attract finches to your yard, here’s what you need to do.

• #Tempt with the right treats.
• #Add finch-specific feeders.
• #Place the feeder in the right spot.
• #Keep your feeder clean.
• #Install a birdbath.
• #Wash and refill the birdbath.
• #Lure with the right plants.
• #Encourage nesting in your yard.
• #Plant natural vegetation.
• #Add bright colored ribbons to your backyard……. and more.

This article is a supplement to our recent post on “what finches eat” [Read here]. That post will let you know what finches take to survive. You can read that post or continue the article to know each tip elaborately. Don’t forget to check out the exclusive tips for attracting goldfinches.

Related blog: You can read about “How To Get Rid Of Crows?” [Read here], “How to Attract Blue Jays” [Read here] and “What Do Crows Eat?” [Read here]

How Can You Attract Finches?

Attracting finches requires a few easy but effective techniques. If you’re one of them who always try to lure these songbirds to your yard, the following tips will hopefully be going to help you a lot. Remember that finches cannot resist themselves from a welcoming backyard.

#1. Tempt with the Right Treats

If you really want to attract a wide variety of finches to your yard, tempt them with the right treats. Finches love to eat seeds, insects, and other live sources. However, they prefer a wide variety of seeds. Due to their small beaks, they would like to have unshelled seeds.

Most importantly, finches prefer the combo of Nyjer and sunflower seeds, high in fat content and quite nutritious for them. You can make this blend at home. Instead, purchase Kaytee Ultra Wild Finch Blend from Amazon. This combo includes four seed ingredients.

To entice them with your yard, offer a daily meal of various seeds. Make sure to provide more seeds from November to March because this is the least seed productive season in a year. Always try to put strong black-colored seeds. Finches will definitely appreciate your efforts.

#2. Add Finch-Specific Feeders

Once you’ve purchased finches’ favorite seeds, you can put them in finch-specific feeders. For your information, finches usually eat their treats, clinging to the ends of grasses and flowers. So, you should provide finches the feeders that allow them to eat from various angles.

The feeders that finches prefer include:

• #Mesh / Sock Feeder
• #Tube Feeder
• #Tray Feeder
• #Hopper Feeder
• #Window Feeder

#Mesh / Sock Feeder: Since finches eat seeds by clinging, the best feeder of them is mesh or sock feeders. This feeder includes Nyjer, millet, unshelled sunflower seeds, kernels, and chips. If you want to put Nyjer in the feeder, make sure the feeder is quite breathable.

The Heath Outdoor Cling and Catch Thistle Feeder on Amazon is one of the best mesh feeders we’ve ever experienced. Besides, if you want to provide them with a sock feeder, we suggest purchasing Kaytee Wild Bird Feeder from Amazon.

#Tube Feeder: Offering a tube feeder to finches could be a good idea if you’re going to provide them with stock food. Why should you mount a tube feeder for finches? Tube feeders don’t allow large birds like blue jays, red-winged blackbirds, and woodpeckers to eat from.

The Droll Yankees Generation Tube Feeder on Amazon is the best tube feeder we’ve ever experienced. It has gained 4.7 out of 5 against 1300+ ratings. Most importantly, it features 6 feeding ports that allow plenty of finches to eat from.

#Tray Feeder: If you don’t find mesh or tube feeders, you can use tray feeders to feed various finches. The best advantage of using a tray feeder is you can allow a flock of finches at once. If you provide multiple tray feeders at various spots, you’ll find yourself surrounded by finches.

You can buy tray feeders at your nearby pet stores. However, we suggest you purchase the Nature’s Way Tray Bird Feeder from Amazon. The feeder is made of premium cedar, preventing bacteria and mold. The hanging cable comes with vinyl-coated steel.

#Hopper Feeder: Finches sometimes show interest in other feeders, like hopper feeders. The problem is these feeders also invite predators, such as large birds and squirrels that scare the finches away. If you have to use hopper feeders for finches, use deterrents for their predators.

By the way, we would like to recommend you purchase the Woodlink Absolute II Squirrel Resistant Bird Feeder from Amazon. As the name suggests, the hopper feeder prevents squirrels. The coated steel body guarantees durability and longevity.

#Window Feeder: If you want close interaction with finches, use a window feeder with strong suction cups. The DF OMER Weatherproof Window Bird Feeder could be what you actually require. Apart from finches, it allows other songbirds, like chickadees, cardinals, and sparrows.

As the name suggests, the feeder withstands all weather conditions. Due to the acrylic cover, you don’t need to worry about cleaning up soggy birdseed. To lure finches with the feeder, put various types of seeds and seed blends in three different seed trays.

#3. Place The Feeder At The Right Spot

The right feeder placement for finches protects them from potential predators like squirrels and cats. At first, make sure to hang your feeder 1.5 meters above the ground. Then, position it at least 3 meters away from trees. Finally, keep the feeder 4.5 meters away from other feeders.

Once you’ve installed the feeder according to what we’ve just said, squirrels and cats can hardly reach the feeder. Keep in mind that you shouldn’t go deep into the forest to install your bird feeder. Finches usually don’t prefer forest areas.

#4. Keep Your Feeder Clean

When it comes to choosing feeders, finches are a bit picky. They don’t like moldy or dirty feeders both inside and outside. Consequently, they’re likely to go somewhere else for food. To attract finches to your feeder, always make sure to provide them with clean feeders.

For deep cleaning, use a solution of bleach and water (a ratio of 1:9) at least twice a month. Once you’ve cleaned the feeder with the solution, rinse it with fresh water. After that, wipe it with a clean, soft towel or a paper towel. Finally, leave it in sunlight to kill bacteria.

Try the Clorox Liquid Bleach from Amazon.

If you want to protect your feeder from moisture, we recommend you use a weather guard. It will keep your feeder and seeds dry. Buy it from your nearby pet stores. Instead, you can take a look at this enticing Orange Weather Guard on Amazon.

#5. Install a Birdbath

Finches need water to drink and bathe. Since they’re all year residents in most North American regions, it’s essential to provide them a water source that doesn’t get frozen in winter. Offering a moving water source is important because these songbirds are always on the move.

Considering the characteristics of finches, we’ve come out with the Burley Clay Hand Tinted Ceramic Birdbath (The link takes you to Amazon). To make the birdbath water moving, we recommend you purchase the AADPLAIN Stainless Steel Birdbath Dripper from Amazon.

During harsh winter weather, the water in your birdbath might get frozen. For that, this Premium Cast Aluminum Birdbath De-Icer on Amazon could be what you actually require. As the name suggests, cast aluminum ensures efficiency and safety.

#6. Wash And Refill The Birdbath

If you don’t change the water of your birdbath, it might become a storehouse of molds and bacteria. That’s why you should change the water as often as possible. Try to wash the birdbath 2 to 3 times per week. During dry weather, refill the birdbath more often.

When you’re cleaning the birdbath, drain the old water. Then use a solution of vinegar and water (a ratio of 1:9) to scrub the bath. After that, wipe the birdbath with a soft sponge or a clean paper towel. Finally, fill the bath with fresh water.

You can use the Alessi White Vinegar from Amazon.

#7. Lure With The Right Plants

To attract finches to your yard, you can lure them with the right plants. What plants are right for finches? Finches’ favorite plants include thistles, cosmos, cottonwood fluff, cattails, daisies, milkweed, marigold, poppies, elderberry, dogwood, and many more.

You may already know that finches are granivorous. They eat seeds from grass, dandelions, flower heads, and sometimes, leaves of specific plants. If you’re willing to invite these songbirds, you should plant these trees and flower plants in your yard.

#8. Encourage Nesting In Your Yard

Finches usually don’t use birdhouses. They live in the own-made nests. If you want to invite these birds to your yard, you can plant some downy plants, like thistle and dandelions so that the birds can get natural cotton supplements.

There are many types of thistles out there. Some of them can grow quickly, which are considered invasive plants. Before planting these trees, you should check your local regulations. You may not be allowed to plant all thistles in your area.

#9. Plant Natural Vegetation

Alluring a variety of finch species is easy if your yard is a storehouse of their favorite food. Regardless of providing food at feeders, you can plant natural vegetation for them. For example, you can plant sunflowers and wild thistles.

Finches love sunflower seeds. However, they prefer sunflower kernels and chips due to their small beaks. When it comes to wild thistles, finches feed on these seeds, particularly in the late summer and early fall. Natural vegetation will cut the hassles of feeding them at feeders.

#10. Add Bright Colored Ribbons To Your Backyard

Finches are quite sensible to colors, especially bright yellow. That’s why adding bright yellow ribbons to your backyard can attract a wide variety of yellow finches. Ribbons move with the winds, making the finches feel that there is another finch.

If you want to decorate your yard with bright yellow ribbons, the Morex Poly Crimped Curling Ribbon could be what you’re actually looking for. This attractive ribbon is around 0.2 inches wide. The length of the spool is 500 yards.

#11. Set A Perching Stick

Finches love to perch on flat surfaces. If your yard has a comfortable perching space for them, why wouldn’t they come to your yard again and again? So, make sure to set a perching stick or multiple perching sticks (if possible) in your yard.

The Penn-Plax Wood Bird Perch on Amazon could be what you really require. This bird perch is made of natural wood, mimicking the shape of real tree branches. It comes with a couple of feeding cups. Finches would love to eat some foods while perching.

#12. Keep Predators Away

Finches are too shy to get scared of any unwanted movement, let alone the predators such as squirrels and cats. If you want to attract finches to your yard, make sure to keep your yard safe from predators. At first, keep your cat or dog inside your house.

Besides, finches are ground-feeders. So, avoid scattering seeds near low bushes and shrubs. Predators can hide inside the low bushes and shrubs and suddenly attack the finches. To keep your feeder away from squirrels, install squirrel-proof bird feeders in your yard.

More Tips for Attracting Goldfinches

Goldfinches are all-year-round residents in most regions in the United States. Thanks to their bright colors, they have become one of the most desired backyard visitors for a long time. Keep in mind that you need to deliver dedicated effort to befriend goldfinches.

There are four species of goldfinches out there that you can attract to your yard. They are American Goldfinches, Lesser Goldfinches, Lawrence’s Goldfinches, and European Goldfinches. To attract these songbirds to your yard, ensure the following tips:

• Always try to keep the birdseed fresh and dry. Mold seeds don’t attract finches.
• Clean spilled seed under your bird feeders. Scattered seeds can increase the risk of spreading many avian diseases.
• Plant colorful backyard trees and flowers. Finches will feel more attracted to your plants.
• Don’t use any chemical treatments in your yard. Using herbicides can eliminate finches’ natural food sources.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

#1. What is the best time to attract finches?

Attracting finches to your yard entirely depends on where you’re living. For your information, finches are year-round residents in the south-eastern United States. Besides that, they mostly appear in spring and summer, or summer and winter, depending on geographic locations. Look at the map here for further information.

#2. How long do finches find a feeder?

If you have never fed finches in your backyard, finches may take one day to several months to find out your new feeder. However, if you consistently feed finches, they won’t need more than one day to find your new feeder. Not only does your new feeder attract finches, but it also lures many songbirds, such as cardinals, juncos, and chickadees.

#3. What time of year do finches come out?

Since not all finches migrate in the winter, they are available all year round in most regions of the United States. But, they become a bit dull in harsh winter months, particularly on the coldest nights. So, whether it’s hot summer or cold winter, they can be easily found.

#4. Should I feed finches in the winter?

Winter is the least seed productive season. During this period, finches as well as other songbirds don’t find enough seed to eat. The trees and the ground are covered with snow. If you feed finches in the winter, it will be excellent for these little songbirds. People around you will surely appreciate you for your efforts.

Final Words

Now that you know how to attract a wide variety of finches to your yard, you will be able to watch them regularly, sitting inside your house. Finches require a safe place to eat and live. If you provide them with their desired place, they will come to your backyard again and again.

However, we hope this article successfully lets you know how you can attract various finch species to your backyard. If you find anything missing in this post or have experience in attracting finches, your valuable comments will be appreciated.

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