Bird food to attract finches

Tuesday, 8th October 2019

Britain's finches are distinctive birds full of endearing character. From the beautiful Bullfinch to the gorgeous Greenfinch, they're all familiar faces at the bird feeder.

We love the finch family so much that we created a unique mix for them, which we call Native Finch.

Our Native Finch mix is rich in oils and irresistible to members of the finch family. Although created to attract Britain's beautiful finches (including Goldfinches) it can also attract Blue Tits and Great Tits. It contains Niger Seed - in just the right proportions - which means it's a good mix to choose if you'd like to attract Goldfinches without buying a unique Niger seed feeder because it can be fed from a tube-type seed feeder.

One of the most successful - in terms of adapting to garden bird feeding - is the humble Chaffinch, which frequents gardens from Cornwall to Shetland and is found in every European country (except for Iceland). The Chaffinch doesn't feed openly on feeders but prefers to search on the ground or under a hedge for insects, spiders, berries and any suet such as suet pellets or suet cakes.

The population of Greenfinches dropped dramatically during the 70s and 80s but increased during the 1990s. It is a regular garden visitor and especially likes black sunflower, peanuts, and buckwheat. Quite a friendly bird, but it will quarrel and fight with other birds at the bird table and can be found jostling for premium position on a bird feeder.

Bullfinches are resident in most of the UK and can be seen in woodlands and hedgerows. The male is unmistakable with a bright pink/red breast and cheeks, black cap and tail. Not a very enthusiastic bird table visitor it will come during harsh weather to gardens searching for peanuts and black rapeseed.

The Hawfinch has a large, robust bill and is now very difficult to see in the UK. The Welsh Borders and the south-east from Hampshire to Kent seem to be the best areas to spot them. Usually perched high in trees it will come to the ground for fruit, seeds, and peanuts. Especially fond of green peas.

Many of our finches are regular garden visitors, while others are elusive woodland inhabitants. They come in an impressive array of colours, both dull and bright. How many of our finches can you identify?