Support the Birds This Winter

3 days ago

3 min read

When frost settles in and snow begins to cover the landscape birds must work harder to find a meal. Berries and seeds become scarce, insects disappear, and the cold increases their need for energy-rich foods. A few well-placed feeders can turn your yard into a welcome winter refuge. To help visiting birds thrive, offer three essentials: nutritious food, fresh water for drinking and bathing, and shelter among native plants.

Place the feeders in a wind-sheltered area visible from indoors, near trees or shrubs for cover, and low enough to refill safely in bad weather.

Types of feeders for different bird species ….

1. Tube feeder

If you hang just one feeder, this should be it. Choose a model with metal ports around the seed dispensers to deter squirrels. Hang it at least 5 feet off the ground, and 3 feet (or 30-plus feet) from a window to avoid bird collisions.

Seed types: black oil sunflower, mixed seed, safflower, peanuts

Birds: Chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, goldfinches, siskins, purple and house finches

2. Hopper feeder

With these feeders you can keep an abundant supply of seed dry and ready for birds. The weight of the arriving birds triggers the release of seeds. Position this feeder on a pole about 5 feet off the ground or hang it from a tree branch.

Seed types: safflower, sunflower, cracked corn

Birds: attracts all the species that visit tube feeders, plus larger birds like cardinals, jays, grackles, red-winged blackbirds

3. Suet feeder

Hang suet in mesh onion bags or purchase a cage feeder. Place the feeder 5 feet high, 7 feet away from side jumping points (squirrels) and 9 feet below overhead branches.

Seed types: suet and bird puddings

Birds: woodpeckers, titmice, nuthatches, chickadees; occasionally wrens, creepers, warblers

4. Thistle or Nyjer feeder

These feeders make seed available only to small-beaked finches. Hang them from a tree or place on a 5-foot pole near other feeders.

Seed types: nyjer (thistle) seed

Birds: goldfinches, redpolls, pine siskins

5. Ground feeder

A simple screen-bottomed tray that typically sits several inches off the ground or on a deck. Some have covers to keep out snow; others may have wire mesh to keep out squirrels and large birds like crows. Place at least 10 feet from trees or shrubs to give birds a chance to escape predators.

Seed types: mix of cracked corn, milo, millet, sunflower seed, mixed seed, wheat, oat

Birds: doves, juncos, sparrows, towhees, goldfinches

Information from The Audubon Guide to Winter Bird Feeding

Additional Tips…

Be sure to remove snow and wet seed so food stays dry and accessible. Clean feeders regularly with hot, soapy water, rinse thoroughly, and let them dry completely before refilling.
Shovel or pack down snow around the feeding area so ground-feeding birds can reach spilled seed. Remove any damp or spoiled seed.
Keep feeders stocked reliably, especially during severe weather when natural food is hard to reach. Birds use several food sources and can adjust if a feeder is briefly empty.
Put out only as much food as birds are likely to eat before sundown. Refresh it daily to reduce waste and discourage nighttime visits from deer or raccoons. Adjust the amount based on what remains each evening.
Store bird food in a cool, dry place in a tightly sealed container to keep out insects and rodents.

Backyards that provide fresh, clean, water during winter tend to host more birds. Before the cold sets in, replace delicate solar or fountain birdbaths with sturdier, winter-ready water features.

Place baths in a sunny area near feeders to make them visible to birds and to help keep the water from freezing.
Birdbaths (as well as feeders) should be cleaned regularly even during winter.
To keep water from freezing, consider adding an immersion-style water heater.
A simpler option—particularly if you have no outdoor electric outlet—is to buy several heavy-duty plant saucers and replace frozen baths with fresh ones each morning.