Winter Bird Feeding

Winter bird feeding differs from summertime feeding because much of the natural foodsMale Northern Cardinal birds eat during the warmer months such as insects, berries, and seeds are gone or hidden by snow until spring.

Their diet and feeding habits change during the winter. Their high metabolic rate and the need to maintain body temperatures of over 100 degrees F requires high calorie and high fat foods.

This is where you come in. Just think if you were outside on a cold, wintry day; snow blowing, temperature dropping, stomach growling...then through the falling snow you spot a buffet table!

Some Winter Bird Feeding Tips:

Below are some good winter bird feeding options that will give birds the energy they need to get through yet another cold night.

Suet

Especially in cold weather birds need constant refueling, and suet (raw beef fat) is an ideal food. It's packed with calories that convert quickly to much-needed warmth and energy. If you have problems with squirrels stealing the suet, then check out the squirrel proof suet feeder listed in the products below.

Types of birds attracted to suet:

Black-capped and other Chickadees, White-breasted & Red-breasted Nuthatches, Tufted Titmice, Downy & Hairy Woodpeckers, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, and Wrens
 

Black Oil Sunflower Seed

Black oil sunflower seed is a great seed to offer in the winter. It is a #1 favorite among many songbird species.

The high protein in combination with the high fat content from the oil produces an energy-packed morsel. Black oil sunflower has twice the calories per pound than striped sunflower and its smaller, thinner shells make it easier for smaller birds to open and creates less mess when discarded by the birds.

The Stokes Premium black oil sunflower seed is a good choice because the seeds are freshly produced from the Red River Valley and have not been sitting on a warehouse shelf for who knows how long. Also a portion of the proceeds will be donated to wildlife habitat and conservation.

You can use black oil sunflower seeds in hopper, platform, and tube feeders. Here is a squirrel-proof bird feeder that can be used with black oil sunflower seeds and will keep the squirrels out!

Or if your rather build your own feeder, here are some free bird feeder plans of different types for a great family project.

Types of birds attracted to black oil sunflower:

Chickadees, Titmice, Nuthatches, House Finches, Purple Finches, Cardinals, Towhees, Goldfinches, Rosy-Finches, Redpolls, Pine Siskins, Woodpeckers, Grosbeaks, Sparrows, and Jays

Offering Birds Peanuts

Peanuts are high in protein, oil, and fat, which makes them a perfect addition to the foods you offer the birds in your backyard, especially during the winter when shorter days require birds to eat as much high-energy food as possible in less time.

You can offer whole peanuts in the shell, but be sure to usePeanut Bird Feeder unsalted, not the ones you get from the grocery stores that are usually already salted.

You can also use unsalted shelled peanuts and put them in a peanut bird feeder for clinging birds or in any feeder that will dispense the larger peanut pieces.

Types of birds attracted to Peanuts:

Chickadees, creepers, juncos, grosbeaks, jays, nuthatches, cardinals, titmice, woodpeckers, flickers, and wrens.

Keeping your Bird Feeders Clean

It's important to clean your feeders often to prevent mold build-up and food spoilage. It also helps to reduce the transfer of diseases between birds. Enjoy feeding and watching your backyard birds, but remember to also take care our feathered family friends.

Here are some precautions you can take to provide a safe and healthy bird-feeding environment:

Precautions against Disease

Precautions against Window Collisions

Precautions against Cats

Water and Heated Bird Baths

Providing water for birds is also very helpful during the winter months when other sources are lacking or frozen.

Just remember to change the water often and if you are having trouble with it freezing, try a bird bath heater to place in your existing bird bath or try an all-in-one heated bird bath. Even if you live in very cold areas, there are bird baths that will stay warm down to -20 degrees F.

Hope your have fun with winter bird feeding and now have some good wild bird food choices.

Go to Wild Bird Food - What Do Birds Like Best?

Winter Bird House Plans

Best Bird Feeders

Free Bird Feeder Plans

Nyjer Seed

Safflower Seed

Wild Bird Seed Mixes

Bird Suet Recipes

Feeding Birds Fruit

Corn Bird Food

Peanut Bird Feeder

Hummingbird Nectar

Return to Top of Winter Bird Feeding

Favorite Bird Watching Binoculars, Feeder & Field Guide
bird watching binoculars nikon monarch

Nikon Monarch's - Best Binoculars for Bird Watching Based on Quality & Price
 squirrel proof bird feeder buster plus

Keeps Squirrels Out, No Batteries, Easy Adjustable Spring, Won Best New Product Award
 bird watching field guide peterson

Excellent Illustrations & Unique System For Easier Bird ID. Eastern/Central, Western & N.A. Editions
Click Images To View More Info


Questions or Comments?


Please Ask Your Question or Leave Your Comment Below:
Bookmark the winter bird feeding page.

footer for winter bird feeding page

Bird Watching Bliss Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape