Due to composition, Nyjer is especially popular as a winter food source. This is a time when birds require foods with more oil and a higher calorie content so they can store fat to survive colder winter temperatures. 

The high protein content in Nyjer is also useful for regenerating feathers when birds molt in late fall and early spring.

TIP: Among the birds who enjoy Nyjer seed include house and purple finches, song sparrows, goldfinches, pine siskins, mourning doves, buntings, redpolls, quail and dark-eyed juncos.