Feeding wild birds in winter has taught me the common practices some are utilizing are ineffective or even counterproductive. While retailers encourage the purchase of high-budget items, I learned some of the most beneficial practices are cost-efficient and easy. The secrets that others have learned the hard way have, in many ways, improved my experience feeding winter birds by attracting more species while lowering the costs and maintenance time associated with the feeders. Here's what the pros know but don't tell you about feeding winter birds.
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Check Price1. The Dawn Feeding Phenomenon: It is All About Timing
Winter birds are most active at dawn. They are searching for food to burn to maintain warmth within their bodies. Most people fill their bird feeders in the afternoon. Filling up the feeders the evening before creates more opportunity for the birds to be the first to eat in the morning. Most people think the cold months are hard for the birds, but they have a feeding frenzy watching the birds. This type of timing will double or triple the peak amount of visits to your feeder. It also circumvents the feeding frenzy during peak hours when the most birds are there.
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2. A method involving several locations: Establish Animal Feeding Zones
Instead of putting all the food in one place, try creating several feeding stations at different heights and distances from the shelter. This spreading out of the food source allows for more timid species to feed. A feeding setup that attracts a greater variety of species while reducing aggression includes ground feeding areas for juncos, high platforms for cardinals, and hanging feeders for chickadees.
3. The Shelter Solution: Serious About Wind Protection
The birds you want to feed will have an easier time visiting your feeding stations if you set them up to the west or northwest of your house because those locations have better wind protection.
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4. The high-energy food trick – fat is your best friend
While regular birdseed works all year, winter requires some modifications to your birdseed. Winter is the time to focus on high-fat bird feed. Adding high-fat bird feed like black oil sunflower seeds, nuts, and suet to your birdseed will give your local birds the extra calories they need to stay warm and will give your feeding station increased value during the winter month.
5. The Water Secret: Heated Does Not Equal Better
Heated bird baths are a little pricey, but there is a more affordable option! Use a shallow, dark-colored container that will absorb sunlight better than light-colored containers. It is important to set this in a location that will get direct sunlight. During freezing weather, prompt the freezing daily by refreshing water in the container. This method is less expensive than electric bird baths as they frequently malfunction. To make your water source look more appealing, add a few pieces of cork to the water that will drift with the breeze.
6. The feeding platform of nature: Clean Snow Strategy
For ground-feeding birds like juncos and doves, clear a patch of snow around bird feeders. This is where they will likely forage. Level and packed snow will increase visibility for the birds. Be sure to distribute additional seeds on the snow. More birds will see the seeds and increase your ability to track and assess seed consumption. More birds will visit the feeders to forage.
7. The Night Protection Protocol: Defense Against Predators
Position the feeders 3 to over 15 feet from the brush. This way the birds have a better chance for escape or more time to react to the predators. Try to avoid the middle zone as it may hunter wildlife predators from your brush. If you can, bring the feeders inside at night. This is to reduce the scaring from nighttime raiders, and so daytime visitors can come.
8. The Importance of Consistency: Morning Maintenance Ritual
Every morning, clear the snow from the feeders and refill the food. The birds quickly learn your routine and come to the feeders around the same time. Lessen the snow, open the feeding ports, and ensure the seed is flowing. Daily attention prevents the food from molding and keeps the birds returning.
When thinking about winter bird feeding, expensive equipment and fancy bird food aren't priorities. What is needed is understanding of birds and provision of a simple and safe feeding area. These suggestions create a safe winter bird sanctuary and serve you and your feathered friends.
