Niger seeds, or Nyjer seeds, are the incredibly small black seeds of the niger plant, a yellow flower native to the Ethiopian highlands and other parts of East Africa. The seed is rich in oil and high in nutrition, making it a perfect seed for year-round wild bird feeding. It is especially great for wild birds in the winter months, as it helps them store fat and build up energy.
Niger seeds are great for a number of small bird species, as their small, sharp beaks are great at cracking into the tiny seed shells. They are also high in calcium, protein, fat and fibre, which many small birds need. Chaffinches, bullfinches, goldfinches, bluetits, tree sparrows and siskins particularly love niger seeds. They will also attract some larger bird species, such as pigeons and doves.
We would recommend using a specialist seed feeder designed for niger seeds, as the tiny seeds will easily flow out of other seed feeders. We would also recommend using an attached seed tray, which will prevent too much loss of seed onto the ground.