Do finches eat the entire nijer seed or just the shell?

[Bird Guy]

When finches eat nijer seed, do they (or, are they supposed to) eat the
entire seed, or do they somehow crack the seed open and discard the
outer shell?

[Chas Hurst]

"Bird Guy" <Bi...@Guy.com> wrote in message news:4B534B58...@Guy.com...

> When finches eat nijer seed, do they (or, are they supposed to) eat the
> entire seed, or do they somehow crack the seed open and discard the
> outer shell?

Finches are well equiped to crack open seeds. It's not a case of somehow.

[Bird Guy]

Chas Hurst wrote:

> > When finches eat nijer seed, do they (or, are they supposed to)
> > eat the entire seed, or do they somehow crack the seed open and
> > discard the outer shell?
>
> Finches are well equiped to crack open seeds. It's not a case of
> somehow.

I didn't ask IF finches can crack open seeds.

I asked if they normally eat nijer seeds whole, or do they split them
open and discard the shell.

[Chas Hurst]

"Bird Guy" <Bi...@Guy.com> wrote in message news:4B53D9A0...@Guy.com...

Then you're oblivious to implication.

[Bird Guy]

Chas Hurst wrote:

> > I didn't ask IF finches can crack open seeds.
> >
> > I asked if they normally eat nijer seeds whole, or do they split
> > them open and discard the shell.
>
> Then you're oblivious to implication.

You're going to great lengths to give the impression that you're
answering the question while not overextending yourself by giving a
possibily incorrect (but specific) answer.

[Tony Mortadella]

Bird Guy wrote in <4B534B58...@Guy.com> :

>When finches eat nijer seed, do they (or, are they supposed to) eat the
>entire seed, or do they somehow crack the seed open and discard the
>outer shell?

I can't rule-out the possibility that they sometimes eat the whole seed
but judging by the litter under my finch feeders, they normally discard
the shell.

--
Tony Mortadella

[Bird Guy]

Tony Mortadella wrote:

> > When finches eat nijer seed, do they (or, are they supposed to)
> > eat the entire seed, or do they somehow crack the seed open and
> > discard the outer shell?
>
> I can't rule-out the possibility that they sometimes eat the whole
> seed but judging by the litter under my finch feeders, they normally
> discard the shell.

That's basically the reason why I was asking.

I'm wondering if the finches are just incredibly messy eaters, or are
these really the shells from the nijer seeds...

[Tony Mortadella]

Bird Guy wrote in <4B5C935E...@Guy.com> :

>I'm wondering if the finches are just incredibly messy eaters, or are
>these really the shells from the nijer seeds...

I see Juncos and Doves feeding from the ground under the feeder so the
finches apparently are dropping some. I suppose it's inevitable with
such tiny seeds. I've also seen sock-type feeders where the mesh is a
little too open and the seed falls out as the sock is jostled.

--
Tony Mortadella

[Bird Guy]

cleondann wrote:

> I use some of the best pest bird control techniques to keep away
> bugs and birds harming my lawns.

So you want a medal or somethin?

What's that got to do with the feeding habbits of finches?

[Hootowl98]

As small as it is, a niger seed does have a shell. If you think birds aren't eating the seed because you see some on the ground, examine it more closely: you may be seeing mostly the thin niger hulls.

--
For full context, visit https://www.homeownershub.com/lawn-garden/do-finches-eat-the-entire-nijer-seed-or-just-the-shell-16904-.htm

[Judith Latham]

On 12/25/2021 1:45 PM, Hootowl98 wrote:
> As small as it is, a niger seed does have a shell. If you think birds
> aren't eating the seed because you see some on the ground, examine it
> more closely: you may be seeing mostly the thin niger hulls.
>

Facinating

[Thomas Joseph]

Judith Latham wrote:

> Fascinating

Oh come on Judith, please. What a cheap way of pretending to be interested in something without revealing the truth: "Fascinating." I see the bobbing head in response to everything along with only one word, the same word every time: "Fascinating." Very much like a doctor's "Hmmmm". What a cheap copout Judith, a one word response, like a guy who never offers an opinion, gets by everywhere he goes muttering "Dig" to whatever he hears - or "I know what you're saying", over and over. At least I admit I am not a birdwatcher and am using this group only because the one I normally post into has gone belly up. But I am not a total ingrate. I checked the board and noticed the bulk of the posts did not relate to bird watching, and the ones that do go back a month or more. I find this fascinating to tell you the truth.

[Judith Latham]

I didn't give a rat's ass about his post. I only wanted you to see my
name if and when you visited this group. I miss the old days of a few
weeks ago. I'm sending you another e-mail but from my regular address.
When I give out this address, it means I consider you family.

[Thomas Joseph]

Judith Latham wrote:

> I didn't give a rat's ass about his post. I only wanted you to see my
> name if and when you visited this group. I miss the old days of a few
> weeks ago. I'm sending you another e-mail but from my regular address.
> When I give out this address, it means I consider you family.

Family? Uh oh, not sure I go for that. Yes, I see what you mean, you just used the post to get to me. You could have posted an original too, I think. I did not sign up and won't unless I have to. I'm in but I don't sign up unless they say I must.