The seed labeled as thistle in most stores has no actual botanical connection to the prickly weeds growing in wild pastures. It is officially called nyjer, an imported seed from an African daisy that undergoes a mandatory heat treatment before reaching your backyard. Understanding the difference between the two names helps explain why this specific … Read more
Nyjer is one of the most effective seeds for attracting small finches, but it comes with a major catch. It dries out and spoils faster than almost anything else you can put in a backyard feeder. When birds suddenly stop visiting, the problem is rarely the feeder itself or the location. Understanding how to check … Read more
Safflower bird seed is unique in the backyard feeding hobby because it solves two major problems at the exact same time. It acts as a magnet for highly desirable songbirds while naturally driving away the pests that drain your feeders. However, if you simply swap your current seed for a bag of safflower overnight, you … Read more
Standing in the bird seed aisle, you will eventually have to make a choice between bags of whole seeds and expensive bags of pre-shelled pieces. Customers constantly ask me if the higher price tag for the shelled version is actually worth the money. The answer relies entirely on your specific yard, the types of birds … Read more