The best bird feeder and seed for redpolls
Tiny northern finches that cling to nyjer socks. Redpolls arrive with snow; keep nyjer fresh and dry.
Which feeder types do redpolls use?
| Feeder | Holds | Squirrels | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nyjer (finch) tube | Nyjer, fine chips | Squirrels ignore nyjer | Tiny slit ports release one seed at a time. |
| Nyjer sock | Nyjer | Squirrels ignore nyjer | Cheap and effective for a season; finches cling all over it. |
Feeders redpolls use, budget to premium
Prices move constantly; the button shows the current figure.
What seed do redpolls like best?
| Food | Why | Storage |
|---|---|---|
| Nyjer (thistle) | Not related to thistle despite the name. Imported nyjer is heat-treated so it does not sprout. Needs a feeder with tiny ports or mesh or it pours out. | Goes stale in weeks; buy small bags |
| Sunflower hearts and chips | Costs more per pound but nothing is wasted as shell weight, and nothing sprouts under the feeder. The best choice over a patio or deck. | Spoils faster; buy what you use in a few weeks |
Food to buy for redpolls
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Where and when should you feed redpolls?
- Height and spot: 5 feet.
- When: Winter irruptions into the northern US.
- Range: Arctic breeders; northern states in winter.
- Feeding style: Feeds at hanging feeders; a pole with a baffle keeps squirrels off without bothering them.
The same setup also brings goldfinches and pine siskins, which use the same feeder types.
Feeders for other birds
Cardinals · Blue Jays · Goldfinches · House Finches · Chickadees · Titmice · Nuthatches · Woodpeckers · Bluebirds · Wrens · Orioles · Hummingbirds · Mourning Doves · Juncos · Native Sparrows · Towhees · Grosbeaks · Robins · Mockingbirds · Pine Siskins · Purple Finches · Keeping starlings and grackles away · Red-bellied Woodpeckers · Downy Woodpeckers · Cedar Waxwings · Quail
Get the redpolls feeding checklist
Feeder, seed, height and cleaning schedule for redpolls on one printable page.
Used only to send the checklist.Frequently asked questions
What is the best bird feeder for redpolls?
A nyjer (finch) tube is the most reliable choice for redpolls. Tiny northern finches that cling to nyjer socks. Pair it with nyjer (thistle), place it 5 feet, and keep it clean every two weeks. A second feeder type such as a nyjer sock widens the appeal without adding much work.
What do redpolls eat at feeders?
In order of preference: nyjer (thistle) and sunflower hearts and chips. Not related to thistle despite the name. Imported nyjer is heat-treated so it does not sprout. Needs a feeder with tiny ports or mesh or it pours out. Offer one food per feeder rather than a mix, so birds are not flicking unwanted grains onto the ground to get at the one they want.
Where should I put a feeder for redpolls?
5 feet. Keep it within 3 feet of a window or beyond 30 feet to avoid collisions, at least 10 feet from anything a squirrel can jump from, and 10 to 12 feet from dense shrubs so redpolls can reach cover without cats being able to ambush them.
When do redpolls come to feeders?
Winter irruptions into the northern US. Range: Arctic breeders; northern states in winter. Keep feeders stocked and clean through the season redpolls are present in your area, since a feeder that is empty for several days is often abandoned for a neighbour's.
Do redpolls use birdhouses?
No. Redpolls build open nests in shrubs, trees or on the ground and do not use enclosed nest boxes. Dense native shrubs, brush piles and leaving leaf litter in place do far more for them than any structure.