--- title: "How to Attract Goldfinches (2026)" url: https://thebirdfeederguide.com/how-to-attract-goldfinches/ type: post date: 2026-10-13 modified: 2026-10-31 markdown_url: https://thebirdfeederguide.com/how-to-attract-goldfinches.md author: "The Bird Feeder Guide Editorial Team" --- # How to Attract Goldfinches (2026) Independent, research-based buying guides for backyard birders Reader-supported · we earn from qualifying Amazon purchases [Affiliate Disclosure](/about/) [How We Research](/about/) [![The Bird Feeder Guide](https://thebirdfeederguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/tbfg-logo-header-1200w.png)](/) [Smart Feeders](/smart-bird-feeders/) [Feeder Types](/best-tube-bird-feeders/) [Bird Food](/best-bird-seed/) [Squirrel-Proofing](/best-squirrel-proof-bird-feeders/) [Hummingbirds](/best-hummingbird-feeders/) [Attract Birds](/how-to-attract-birds-to-your-yard/) [Deals](/smart-bird-feeder-black-friday-deals-2026/) Home › Attracting Birds › Goldfinches Attracting Birds · Guide Attracting Birds · Guide # How to Attract Goldfinches (2026) Goldfinches come for nyjer, the tiny seed that Project FeederWatch says attracts American Goldfinches, Pine Siskins and Common Redpolls. It needs a feeder with very small ports, so we compared six nyjer feeders and socks from Amazon listings. By The Bird Feeder Guide Editorial Team · Research-based; we have not tested these products ourselves Updated October 2026 · Specs checked October 2026 **Disclosure:** As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below go to Amazon; we do not show prices because they change. ![American goldfinch perched at a backyard seed feeder](https://thebirdfeederguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Goldfinch-at-a-feeder-Vidar-Nordli-Mathisen-Unsplash.jpg) Quick Answer Offer nyjer (often sold as thistle) in a feeder made for it. FeederWatch says nyjer needs special feeders with very small feeding ports, which also keeps seed from spilling to the ground. FeederWatch also suggests feeding nyjer by itself instead of in a mix, to cut waste. Black-oil sunflower is another food it lists for finches. ## Six nyjer feeders for goldfinches Details come from each Amazon listing. Check the listing for current price, capacity and port design. Thistle tube ### Aspects Quick-Clean Thistle Tube 402 A tube feeder made for thistle seed. Open the listing for capacity, materials and how the quick-clean base works. [View on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001FTA5P0?tag=tbfg-20) Upside-down perches ### Woodlink Audubon Tails Up Nyjer Feeder A nyjer feeder from Woodlink's Audubon line. Check the listing for size and how it hangs. [View on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007K9QEKY?tag=tbfg-20) Die-cast finch tube ### Audubon Die-Cast Finch Tube Feeder A finch tube feeder with a die-cast build. Check the listing for port count and capacity. [View on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H8MNZ6Y?tag=tbfg-20) Seed + feeder ### Wagner's Nyjer Seed with Perky-Pet 481F Feeder A bundle that pairs nyjer seed with a feeder, which makes a simple way to start. Check the listing for what is included. [View on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BR4P9SZC?tag=tbfg-20) Sock feeders ### Happy Wings Nyjer Sock Feeders (3-pack) Mesh sock feeders sold as a three-pack, a low-cost way to try nyjer. Check the listing for size and mesh. [View on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09CH5VQRK?tag=tbfg-20) Sock pair ### Mr. Canary Pair of Nyjer Socks A pair of nyjer socks. Check the listing for size and how they hang. [View on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09P21LCVP?tag=tbfg-20) ## How to set up for goldfinches Four choices that matter. ### Seed Nyjer is the draw. FeederWatch says it attracts American Goldfinch, Pine Siskin and Common Redpoll. Feed it by itself, not in a mix. ### Feeder ports Nyjer is so small that FeederWatch says it needs very small feeding ports to prevent spilling. Do not use a standard sunflower feeder. ### Perches FeederWatch notes feeders with short perches accommodate small birds such as finches while excluding larger birds such as grackles and jays. ### Keep it clean FeederWatch recommends washing feeders regularly to reduce disease spread. Choose a feeder that is easy to take apart. ## Goldfinch questions What do goldfinches eat at feeders? Nyjer is the best known. FeederWatch says it attracts American Goldfinch, Pine Siskin and Common Redpoll. Black-oil sunflower is also a favorite of finches. Is nyjer the same as thistle? Nyjer is often called thistle, but FeederWatch notes it is not related to North American thistle plants. It comes from Guizotia abyssinica, a plant native to Africa. Why does my nyjer feeder spill? Nyjer needs a feeder with very small ports. A standard seed feeder lets the tiny seed fall out. ## Related guides ### Best Nyjer and Thistle Feeders Finch feeders compared. [Read the guide →](/best-nyjer-thistle-feeders-for-finches/) ### Best Tube Bird Feeders Tube feeders compared. [Read the guide →](/best-tube-bird-feeders/) ### How to Attract Birds to Your Yard Food, water, cover and placement. [Read the guide →](/how-to-attract-birds-to-your-yard/) ### Sources and method Seed and feeder facts come from Project FeederWatch. Product details were read from Amazon listings in October 2026. We have not tested these products. Corrections: corrections@thebirdfeederguide.com. [Project FeederWatch (Cornell Lab of Ornithology), Feeding Birds: feederwatch.org/learn/feeding-birds/](https://feederwatch.org/learn/feeding-birds/) [Photo: goldfinch at a feeder by Vidar Nordli-Mathisen on Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/@vidarnm) Last verified October 2026 · Next review April 2027 ![](https://thebirdfeederguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/tbfg-logo-dark-1200w.png) The Bird Feeder Guide publishes research-based buying guides to help backyard birders choose durable, safe feeders. 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