If your feeders have felt a little extra “finchy” lately, you’re not imagining it.
Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve been seeing more orders of our Finch & Bunting Blend — a quiet signal that winter finches like pine siskins, purple finches, redpolls, and goldfinches are on the move in a lot of backyards.
That’s not random. There’s a clear pattern behind it.
Here’s the part most people don’t realize
In winter, finches don’t just wander randomly. They move in flocks and follow reliable, high-energy food.
If your feeder isn’t offering what they’re looking for, they’ll often move on just as quickly as they arrived.
That’s why some yards suddenly fill with pine siskins, purple finches, redpolls, and goldfinches while other yards see very few.
It isn’t luck. It’s timing, food, and feeder setup working together.
Why finches behave this way in winter
In plain English: they are following calories.
During colder months, natural food sources like conifer seeds, birch, and alder can be unpredictable. When those supplies fluctuate, finches travel in search of dependable alternatives.
Backyard feeders become important stops on that journey, but only if they offer the kinds of seeds finches actually prefer.
Finches are especially drawn to:
- small seeds
- high-fat, oil-rich seeds
- food that is easy to access
When they find that, they tend to linger. When they don’t, they keep moving.
Why your seed choice matters
This is exactly why we created our Finch & Bunting Blend.
This mix is built around the small, oil-rich seeds finches actually prefer, so more birds eat right at your feeder.
We blend it fresh in small batches, with no fillers, which means you’re putting out food that attracts a variety of finches and keeps them coming back.
In real backyards, that usually looks like:
- more birds landing on your feeder
- less wasted seed underneath it
- longer, livelier activity on gray winter days
What a “finchy” winter usually looks like
If you’re seeing finches right now, this is one of those seasons that can be especially fun to watch unfold.
A tube feeder made for small seeds gives you a front-row seat to the action while minimizing waste.
When the food is right, finches stick around. When it’s not, they move on.
Offering the right blend now can turn a brief visit into weeks of winter birdwatching.
Quick questions people often have about winter finches
Why are there so many finches in my yard this winter?
Finches travel in flocks and follow reliable, high-energy food. Some winters bring more birds than others, especially when natural food sources like cone crops, birch, and alder are scarce.
Why do finches come to some feeders and not others?
They prefer feeders that offer small, oil-rich seeds that are easy to access. If the food isn’t right, they often move on quickly.
What is the best seed for winter finches?
A blend built around small, high-energy seeds, such as sunflower chips and nyjer — like our Finch & Bunting Blend.
What feeder works best for finches?
A tube feeder made for small seeds gives you the best view with the least waste.
Why do finches move around so much in winter?
Because their natural food supply varies from year to year, so they travel in flocks to find reliable, high-energy seeds.
If your yard is feeling “finchy” right now
This is a great moment to lean into it.
Shop the Finch & Bunting Blend
P.S. Explore more options
Every backyard attracts different birds in different seasons.
If you’d like to explore beyond finches, you can browse all of our à la carte blends and find what fits your yard best.