Tips for Feeding Wild Birds in Wintertime

Why Feed Birds in Winter?

Winter can be hard on birds. Snow, ice and frozen ground make it hard for birds to find berries, seeds and other food and can lead to their starvation. Bird feeders can become their only source of food during long, cold, icy snaps. Providing them with rich, high-fat foods in your feeders can help them make it through until spring. That’s not to mention the entertainment and enjoyment for the whole family, to see colorful birds just outside your windows during a dreary winter. It helps to know which birds will stay through the colder weather. Depending on your particular region, many common winter birds are downy woodpeckers, tufted titmice, American goldfinches, black-capped chickadees, robins, European starlings, house finches and sparrows, and cardinals.

Create a Bird Destination

Creating a bird-friendly habitat in your yard all year-round is essential for bird watching. It is especially important during winter. It can also be a little tricky, since birds are attracted to natural, dense growth, a lot of which has probably died off for the cold months. Evergreens can provide yearlong shelter from the elements and predators. Consider planting more evergreens in your yard, whether shrubbery or individual trees, in a location near where you will also place bird houses, feeders and a birdbath. Or create your habitat close to existing evergreens. Shelter from wind is important. Placed near structures like your house or garage, feeders and birdhouses are protected from strong winter winds and can give great vantage points from an inside window.

There are a few ways to protect feeders from squirrels and other animals, such as raccoons. Baffles or cages are available that keep larger animals from getting into a feeder, allowing access to birds only. Feeders and houses installed on poles can be protected by rubbing oil on the pole to make it slippery so that squirrels have trouble climbing them.

Supply clean water by supplying a classic pedestal birdbath or fountain all year round. In winter, fresh water is arguably more important than in the warmer seasons. Consider purchasing an immersion heater for your birdbath to keep the water from freezing. Regularly check the water to make sure that it stays fresh.
Feed Birds Their Favorites

What you put in your feeders is important. Particular bird species prefer specific types of food. Grains (seeds) and suet (seeds and fruits imbedded in fat) are popular with a wide variety of bird species. Seeds include sunflower seeds, corn, and millet. Black sunflower seeds and millet, in particular, are very popular among many common types of birds, such as cardinals, finches, blue jays and goldfinches. Blue jays, sparrows and starlings enjoy corn. Suet is a nutritious, high-energy “cake” that attracts woodpeckers and other birds. Installing a few bird feeders, each stocked with different types of food, is the best way to attract the greatest variety of bird types.

Note that feeding birds won’t prevent those who migrate from leaving your area. This is instinctual and has nothing to do with whether or not there is food available. For those birds that do stay throughout the winter, remember that once you start feeding them, you must continue to do so or they will leave to find food elsewhere. Often, they will not come back.

For all your wild bird feeding supplies visit Reedsburg True Value Superstore today. We stock bird seed, bird feeders, suet, bird baths, bird bath heaters, bird houses and much more!






Source: www.truevalue.com