It’s not uncommon to see small birds like finches drinking from hummingbird feeders. While hummingbird feeders are designed to attract hummingbirds, other small birds may also be attracted to the sweet nectar. There are a few reasons why finches in particular might visit hummingbird feeders.
The Nectar is Appealing
Hummingbird nectar is essentially just sugar water. The typical recipe is 1 part white sugar to 4 parts water. This sweet liquid is designed to appeal to a hummingbird’s taste preferences and provide quick energy. However, the sweet taste also appeals to other birds like finches. Many finch species have a taste for nectar and enjoy sugary fluids. When they discover a hummingbird feeder full of sugar water, they can’t resist stopping for a drink.
Small Size Allows Access
Hummingbird feeders are designed with small perches and openings so only hummingbirds can access the nectar. However, some small finches are able to perch on the feeder openings and sip the nectar. Finches like American goldfinches and pine siskins are small enough to access the nectar despite the restrictive openings. Their petite size allows them to take advantage of the free nectar buffet.
Lack of Hummingbirds
In some cases, finches may be more likely to visit a hummingbird feeder if there is a lack of competition from hummingbirds. During migration seasons when hummingbirds are not as prevalent, finches may take advantage of the readily available food source. With fewer hummingbirds to chase them away, finches may be bolder about accessing the feeders.
How to Discourage Finches
If you want to restrict access to your hummingbird feeders for finches, there are a few tactics you can try:
Use a Feeder with Restrictive Perches
Select a hummingbird feeder with very small perches that will prevent larger finches from being able to balance on them comfortably. Look for feeders with perches less than 1⁄4 inch wide specifically designed to accommodate only hummingbirds. This will make it more difficult for finches to drink from the feeder.
Employ Tail Propellers
Some hummingbird feeder models come equipped with “tail propellers.” These are small fan blades on the feeding ports that spin when the birds hover to drink. The movement from the blades mimics the fluttering of a hummingbird’s tail and deters finches while not impeding hummingbirds.
Try a Saucer Feeder
Saucer-style hummingbird feeders don’t have typical perches. The nectar is accessed by licking it from the small dish. This style is harder for finches to grasp and balance on than models with perches. Saucer feeders also have fewer feeding ports, limiting accessibility for finches.
Use Caging
You can buy plastic cages or covers that fit over hummingbird feeders to keep larger birds away. The cage openings are sized so hummingbirds can easily access the feeder while excluding finches. This physical barrier prevents finches from feeding on the nectar.
Position Feeders Creatively
Try positioning your hummingbird feeder in an unreachable spot for finches. You may be able to hang it from a long pole or wire where hummingbirds can hover and drink but finches can’t perch close enough to reach it. Hanging it out in the open away from trees and ledges can also make the feeder less accessible.
Use Red Coloring
Red is attractive to hummingbirds but less appealing to finches. Opt for a bright red hummingbird feeder and finches may be less inclined to approach it. You can also add red ribbons or accents to make the feeder look less appealing to finches in search of a meal.
Clean Feeders Frequently
Keep your feeders very clean and change the nectar often. Dirty or stagnant nectar is less appealing to finicky hummingbirds. Frequent cleaning and maintenance makes the feeder less desirable to finches as well. Don’t let the sugar water sit for more than a few days at a time.
Why Finches Are Attracted to the Feeders
Understanding a bit more about finch behavior can provide insight into why they are attracted to hummingbird feeders despite efforts to deter them:
Persistence and Adaptability
Finches have an innate persistence when it comes to accessing food sources. Once they discover the presence of nectar, they will cleverly try to find ways to drink it even if the feeder design makes it challenging. Finches are also highly adaptable birds that can alter their behavior to take advantage of backyard feeders.
Opportunistic Eating
Finches are opportunistic eaters and will capitalize on readily available food sources in their environment. A backyard hummingbird feeder provides a concentrated source of nutrition finches can’t resist. Accessing the high-calorie nectar requires little effort for healthy energy gains. This opportunistic feeding behavior drives finches to the feeders.
Curiosity and Intelligence
Finches are very curious and intelligent birds that like to investigate new objects and food sources in their environments. Once they discover the presence of a feeder, especially if they see hummingbirds drinking from it, their curiosity will compel them to further explore and try accessing it themselves. They will use their intelligence to devise ways to drink from the feeder.
Love of Sweet Nectar
As mentioned earlier, finches have a taste for sweet sugary nectar. Hummingbird feeders are essentially mini nectar bars from a finch’s perspective. The sweet treat is a powerful draw despite the design challenges of the feeder. The reward of the yummy nectar outweighs the difficulties involved in accessing it.
Lack of Other Food Sources
In some cases, finches may target hummingbird feeders simply because fewer other plentiful food sources are available. During times of drought or seasonal shifts when their typical foods are scarce, they may rely on feeders more heavily. The concentration of nectar becomes an attractive target.
The Bottom Line
While you may intend to only attract hummingbirds, the appeal of the sugary nectar in the feeders will draw in finches too. These clever birds are determined to take advantage of a prime food source. With persistence and adaptability, they will likely find ways to access the feeder at least occasionally despite your best deterrent efforts.
However, there are steps you can take to make the feeder primarily hummingbird-friendly and less accessible to finches. Consider a restrictive perch design, add deterrents like propellers, reposition the feeder location, use red coloring, keep it very clean, and be diligent about refilling it for the hummingbirds. Achieving a finch-free feeder may not be realistic, but you can make it much less accommodating to their needs.
The most important thing is to provide a reliable, clean nectar source for the hummingbirds you are aiming to help. Meeting the needs of these special migratory birds should be the primary goal. Finches accessing the feeder now and then are not likely to significantly deplete the nectar supply. With some adjustments, you can reach a reasonable balance where both hummingbirds and finches benefit.
Key Points Summary
| Why finches drink from hummingbird feeders | How to deter finches |
| – Like the taste of sugary nectar | – Use a feeder with tiny perches |
| – Small size allows access to feeder ports | – Add “tail propellers” to feeder |
| – Lack of competing hummingbirds | – Use a saucer-style feeder |
| – Opportunistic eaters drawn to concentrated food source | – Install a protective cage or cover |
| – Very curious and investigative | – Reposition feeder location |
| – Highly adaptable and persistent | – Opt for bright red colored feeders |
| – Lack of other plentiful food sources | – Clean and refill feeders frequently |
