Winter can be a difficult time for birds in many parts of North America. Days are short, windy and
cold and nights are long and even colder. The abundant vegetation of
summer and fall has withered or been consumed and most insects are dead or
dormant.
If you don't already have a backyard feeder now is the
perfect time to set one up. It will make your feathered friends
lives easier and yours more enjoyable as you observe their beauty and
antics.
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What
To Feed Them
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Most
songbirds feed on insects and spiders during the spring and summer
months. However, in the fall and winter non-migratory
songbirds shift their diets to fruits and seeds. |
| Black-oil
Sunflower |
Different birds prefer
different types of seeds, but the seeds that attract the greatest
variety of species are black-oil sunflower. These seeds are
nutritious and high in fat plus their small size and thin shells
make them easy for small birds to eat. |
Thistle
or
Niger Seeds |
Thistle seeds are a
delicacy for goldfinches, siskins and redpolls. It is best
to offer these seeds in a special thistle feeder which has tiny
ports that prevent the seeds from spilling out. |
| Peanut
Butter or Suet |
You can attract
insect-eating birds such as Chickadees, woodpeckers and nuthatches
to your yard by offering peanut butter or suet. Peanut
butter and suet are both excellent high energy foods. |
| Fruit |
Robins, thrushes,
bluebirds, Mockingbirds, catbirds, orioles and waxwings will come
to a feeder which offers fruit. Try dried fruits such as
raisin and fresh sliced fruit on a platform feeder or plate |
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Click
here for a feeding chart by bird
species.
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Tips
For Winter Feeding |
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Keep some extra feeders for use in bad
weather. It will not only give birds more places to eat it
will cut down on your trips outside to refill the feeder.
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Make sure the seed is kept dry. Hopper and
tube feeders will protect seed from wet weather and platform
feeders should be swept of any snow.
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Scatter seed in underbrush and sheltered
places. Some birds prefer to feed in thicket and brambles
so be sure to scatter seed in hedges, bushes and along wooded
areas or even under your deck.
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Use high energy food such as suet and peanut
butter.
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Use your old Christmas tree for shelter and as a
windbreak near your feeder.
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Prepare your birdhouses for winter
roosting. Make sure the houses are clean and then use
three to four inches of clean dry meadow grass or wood
shavings. Then plug the air vent holes with removable
weather stripping.
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Keep your feeders clean. Take advantage of
good weather to clean and disinfect your feeders. Use one
part bleach to nine parts hot water.
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Offer a fresh source of water and consider the
use of a birdbath heater. Click
here to learn more about providing water.
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