What Do Finches Eat In Winter?

Finches are typically granivorous and eat a variety of seeds during the winter.

12 Some recommended foods to feed birds in the winter include Nyjer thistle seed, black-oil sunflower seed, hulled sunflower chips, millet, and suet1342.

Peanuts and peanut butter are also a good source of high-protein, high-energy food for woodpeckers, jays, nuthatches, chickadees, and titmice4. House finches will continue to eat their regular diet of seeds, wheat seeds, fruits, and insects during the winter5.

What are some other types of birds that benefit from eating peanuts and peanut butter during the winter?

Peanuts and peanut butter are great winter bird foods that can benefit many types of birds.

Some birds that eat peanuts include jays, crows, ravens, magpies, woodpeckers, nuthatches, creepers, chickadees, titmice, tits, wrens, doves, and sparrows[1][2][3][4][5].

Can a diet consisting solely of seeds sustain finches throughout the winter?

Finches are generally seed eaters and eat a variety of plant seeds, especially grasses[1].

During the winter, finches still remain granivorous and eat both seeds and insects[2].

Nyjer or thistle seed is a favorite food of winter finches such as pine siskins and common redpolls, which offers a lot of calories, helping birds store the fat they need to keep warm through the season[3][4].

While a diet consisting solely of seeds may not be enough to sustain finches throughout the winter, providing a variety of seeds and insects can help ensure they have the necessary nutrients to survive[2][1].

What are some signs that indicate a finch may not be getting enough food during the winter?

During winter, some signs that indicate a finch may not be getting enough food include feather loss, bare patches, or red patches, which could indicate stress or sickness[1][2][3].

Constipation or diarrhea may also be symptoms of malnutrition[4].

Additionally, if a finch is sluggish or depressed, it may be due to a lack of natural lighting, which is important for finch health[1].

If you notice any of these signs, it is important to ensure that your finch is receiving a balanced and nutritious diet[5].

Are there any types of seeds that finches should avoid eating during the winter?

Mixed seeds are a great combination to feed birds in winter, but it’s important to avoid mixes with oats and milo, as birds don’t eat these.

Black sunflower seeds are a popular choice and are loved by many species, including House finches, Northern Cardinals, and jays, among others.

There is no information suggesting that there are any types of seeds that finches should avoid eating during the winter.

How does the nutritional value of the recommended winter bird foods compare to the foods that finches typically eat during other seasons?

The recommended winter bird foods are typically higher in fat and protein-rich seeds compared to the foods that finches typically eat during other seasons[1][2][3].

This is because birds need more calories to stay warm and healthy during the winter months[1][2].

Previous studies have found that birds with access to supplementary food, predominantly peanuts, have higher levels of plasma protein, an indication of improved productivity[4].

In contrast, during other seasons, birds may store food in caches and revisit them as other foods become scarce[5].