House finches are a widespread and familiar presence throughout North America, frequently gracing backyards with their cheerful songs. Understanding their dietary preferences can enhance the experience of attracting them and contribute to their well-being. This knowledge helps backyard observers provide suitable nourishment for these common avian visitors.
Natural Diet of House Finches
In their natural habitats, house finches primarily sustain themselves on a plant-based diet, with about 97% of their food intake consisting of vegetable matter. They are largely granivorous, meaning seeds form the bulk of their consumption. These birds readily forage for weed seeds from plants like dandelion, nettle, and wild mustard.
Beyond seeds, house finches also incorporate other plant materials seasonally. This includes buds and flower parts in spring, and small fruits and berries in late summer and fall. While predominantly herbivorous, they occasionally consume small insects like aphids. They often forage on the ground or directly within vegetation.
Preferred Feeder Foods
To attract house finches to backyard feeders, specific seed types prove most appealing due to their nutritional content and ease of consumption. Black oil sunflower seeds are a top choice, offering high oil content that provides significant energy. House finches readily shell and consume these seeds, making them a popular offering.
Nyjer, also known as thistle seed, is another highly favored food, particularly attractive to finches. Its high oil content makes it an excellent energy source, best offered in specialized feeders for its small size. White proso millet is also a preferred seed. Shelled sunflower seeds can be even more attractive than black oil sunflower seeds, while creating less mess around the feeder.
Other suitable options include cracked corn and unsalted peanuts. Providing a variety of these preferred seeds, especially black oil sunflower, nyjer, and white proso millet, will draw house finches to your feeders year-round. Smaller finches prefer feeders that match their size, such as tube or mesh feeders.
Foods to Avoid and Safe Feeding Practices
Ensuring house finch health and safety requires avoiding harmful items and practicing proper feeder hygiene. Never offer bread products; they provide minimal nutritional value and are “empty calories” that can lead to malnutrition and digestive problems. Moldy bread can cause severe lung infections like Aspergillosis.
Certain human foods are toxic to birds and must be avoided:
- Avocado contains persin, which can cause cardiac distress, respiratory issues, liver damage, and be lethal.
- Chocolate is highly toxic due to theobromine and caffeine, leading to symptoms from hyperactivity to seizures and heart problems.
- Fruit pits and seeds from apples, cherries, peaches, and pears contain trace amounts of cyanide.
- Uncooked beans, salted foods, onions, garlic, and mushrooms also pose significant health risks.
Maintaining clean feeders is important to prevent disease spread. Clean feeders thoroughly every two weeks, or more frequently during wet or hot weather, or if sick birds are observed. A solution of one part bleach to nine parts water is effective for disinfection; rinse and dry completely before refilling. Regularly raking up spilled seeds and droppings beneath feeders helps reduce contamination and deter pests. Providing fresh, clean water in a shallow bird bath is also beneficial for drinking and bathing.