Winter Wild Bird Feeding Tips

Bird Homes
Feeding the birds is a rewarding and enjoyable hobby in the midst of chilly winter weather, and these easy winter bird feeding tips can
help both novice and experienced backyard birders make the most of their feeders during the coldest months of the year.

Winter Backyard Bird Species
Depending on the climate, geography and landscape of your backyard and your region of the country, you could be visited by dozens
of different backyard bird species during the winter months. The most common winter birds include:

•House finches
•House sparrows
•Tufted titmice
•American goldfinches
•Pine siskins
•Downy woodpeckers
•Common redpolls
•Black-capped chickadees
•Northern cardinals
•Dark-eyed juncos
•American robins
•European starlings

Best Winter Birdfeeders
To attract the greatest number of species in the winter, it is important to have a number of different birdfeeders available. While easy
birdfeeders such as hopper and platform designs are always popular, the feeders you use during the winter should have several
characteristics in common.

•Cover: Feeders will be most useful in the winter if they have a wide cover over feeding ports, perches and dispensing trays so seed is
not buried during snowfalls or storms. Fly-through platform feeders are especially good designs for winter bird feeding. The cover
should extend several inches over the edge of the feeder to ensure protection from all but the most serious storms.

•Placement: Ideally, winter birdfeeders should be placed in sheltered locations out of the most severe winds. Placing feeders closer
to the house will be effective and will help keep the birds visible for indoor birdwatching. At the same time, feeders should be placed
near protective cover such as hedges or a brush pile to offer birds safety from predators. To minimize window collisions, place feeders
no more than five feet away from a wall or window, and use window clings or other techniques to prevent collisions.

•Capacity: For birders’ convenience, large capacity feeders are preferred for winter feeding because they do not need to be refilled as
frequently. This is only viable, however, if the seed is protected from moisture, otherwise it may grow mold before it is consumed.
Covered feeders with large capacities are suitable, but platform feeders should be emptied and refilled daily to prevent mildew and
spoilage.

•Cleanliness: Because natural food sources are scarcer in the winter, more birds may be attracted to backyard feeders and those
feeders will need to be cleaned and sterilized regularly. Proper cleaning will minimize mold, mildew and other unhealthy conditions
that could foster disease among backyard bird populations. When cleaning, discard soggy seed or seed encased in ice, and let the
feeder dry before refilling if possible.
Foods for Birds in Winter
Most birds that visit backyards in snowy weather thrive on seeds, since insects and fruit are harder to find naturally during the winter.
The best foods to offer birds in colder weather have a high fat or oil content that will provide abundant energy for winter survival.
Nutritious winter foods for birds include:

•Black oil sunflower seed
•Hulled peanuts
•Niger seed
•Suet mixes with seeds or fruit
•Peanut butter
•White millet seed
When choosing birdseed and other foods for winter feeding, take into consideration which bird species are present in the winter and
what foods they prefer to avoid excess wasted seed. Many birders also prefer to use no-mess seed mixes such as hulled sunflower
seeds in the winter to avoid several months’ of hull accumulation beneath feeders in the spring.

Storing Birdseed
It is best to stock up on birdseed in the fall when many lawn and garden centers are discounting seed to make way for winter
merchandise. Stored properly, seed can easily last for months, particularly seed mixes and sunflower seeds.

To properly store seed, it should be kept in a cool, dry place that is protected from bugs and rodents. Choose a storage bin that will
be easy to access all winter, and one that can be easily manipulated while wearing gloves and bulky coats.

Pests and Predators
Just as food is scarce for birds in the winter, it is also scarce for squirrels, raccoons, stray cats and other backyard predators. Steps
can be taken, however, to safeguard feeding stations and provide birds the security to return to the feeders throughout the winter.

•Choose specialized feeders with pest repellants such as caged perches or squirrel baffles.
•Position feeders several feet from natural cover where birds can hide if necessary, but not so close as to allow predators a place for
an ambush.
•Consider placing temporary fencing around feeding stations to keep predators and pest wildlife away.
•Offer other food for pest animals, such as cobs of corn for squirrels, in a different location so they will not be tempted to raid feeders.

More Winter Bird Feeding Tips
•Clean off feeders, platforms and perches after each storm so seed is easily accessible.
•Leave fruit and berries on trees, hedges and bushes to provide a natural source of food throughout the winter.
•Add a heated birdbath to your backyard or place a safe heating element in a regular birdbath to provide birds with liquid water.
•Stamp or shovel snow around feeders to provide easier access to spilled seed for ground feeding birds.
•Leave nesting boxes and birdhouses up all year round to provide winter roosting sites.
With care and consideration, backyard birding can be an exhilarating hobby throughout the winter, with birdsong and backyard visits
to brighten the coldest, darkest days of the season.

Source: http://birding.about.com/od/birdfeeders/a/winterfeeding.htm