Nyjer, niger, and thistle are all names used to identify a tiny, black birdseed cultivated in Asia and Africa that is high in calories and oil content, loved by finches and other wild birds, and has been used in the feeding of wild birds for more than 40 years. However, only one name is correct: Nyjer (R).
To differentiate between the imported niger oilseed used to feed wild birds and thistle - as well as to eliminate any possibility of offensively mispronouncing the word "niger" - the Wild Bird Feeding Industry trademarked the name Nyjer in 1998. Unfortunately, Nyjer seed is still referred to by many people who feed wild birds as well as by some in the industry who package and sell wild bird food and as both niger and thistle.
How niger seed ever became confused with thistle seed in the first place is somewhat of a mystery, although it is probably due to the fact that some birds - goldfinches in particular - do eat the seeds of thistle plants and also use the downy fluff for their nests. If given a choice of thistle and Nyjer, however, birds will pick Nyjer over thistle due to the fact it is a superior seed that is higher in both calories and oil content.
Thistle is considered a noxious weed that is capable of taking over entire fields and is the bane of many farmers in North America. Unlike true niger oilseed (now Nyjer), which is known by the scientific name Guizotia abyssinica and has yellow, daisy-like flowers, thistle has pink to purple ball-shaped flowerheads that consist of many spine-tipped bracts.
To differentiate between the imported niger oilseed used to feed wild birds and thistle - as well as to eliminate any possibility of offensively mispronouncing the word "niger" - the Wild Bird Feeding Industry trademarked the name Nyjer in 1998. Unfortunately, Nyjer seed is still referred to by many people who feed wild birds as well as by some in the industry who package and sell wild bird food and as both niger and thistle.
How niger seed ever became confused with thistle seed in the first place is somewhat of a mystery, although it is probably due to the fact that some birds - goldfinches in particular - do eat the seeds of thistle plants and also use the downy fluff for their nests. If given a choice of thistle and Nyjer, however, birds will pick Nyjer over thistle due to the fact it is a superior seed that is higher in both calories and oil content.
Thistle is considered a noxious weed that is capable of taking over entire fields and is the bane of many farmers in North America. Unlike true niger oilseed (now Nyjer), which is known by the scientific name Guizotia abyssinica and has yellow, daisy-like flowers, thistle has pink to purple ball-shaped flowerheads that consist of many spine-tipped bracts.
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