Winter is Still Here, Just ask the Birds!

Elinor CohenFebruary 22, 2022

The cold weather seems to have firmly settled in for the season, so it only feels right to address how to feed wild birds in the winter. These colder months can be particularly trying for us East Coasters, especially given the prediction from the Pennsylvania ground hog Punxsatawney Phil that we’ll have 6 more weeks of winter. Knowing how to accommodate wild birds during this time may help attract them to your yard and keep them safely nourished.

Should I Feed Birds from Birdfeeders in the Winter?

The simple answer is yes. Wild birds are uniquely resourceful beings, but the winter months can test their ability to find food in nature. While certain trees and shrubs may provide them with some degree of sustenance, birds rely on seed and food from birdfeeders during the winter more than any other time of year. They’re also constant snackers; with so much energy from buzzing around all day, wild birds need sustenance. Seed lovers like finches, sparrows, titmice, and chickadees tend to visit feeders more frequently when the temperatures dip.

Unfortunately, the birds tend to find empty bird feeders because people don’t go out into their backyards as frequently in the colder weather to replenish the supply. That’s why it's all the more important to keep your feeders clean and full. Speaking of cleanliness, the importance of cleaning bird feeders regularly cannot be overstated, as clean feeders help prevent disease.

How Can I Accommodate Wild Birds in the Winter?

Stocking up on extra bird food in the winter is always a good idea. If you are worried that your current bird feeder cannot handle the capacity, try replacing it with a large-capacity feeder that holds more seed. Refill your birdfeeders regularly especially if you want to encourage the birds to keep coming back. The more bird food you add and the more frequently you replenish the supply, the more the birds will become accustomed to using your feeder as their new go-to restaurant.

On the flip side of the coin, if you’ve had enough of your bird guests and are looking to reduce your offerings, all you need to do is taper off. Wild birds can take a hint; once you start to reduce the amount of food in your bird feeders, the birds will take note and look for another food supply. The good news here is that if you’re looking to send a message, the birds will pick up on it. The not so good news is that if you’re simply negligent when it comes to maintaining your feeders, the birds will also act accordingly.

The Right Trees & Shrubs for Wild Birds in the Winter

If you’re looking to encourage wild birds to take up a winter residence in your backyard, it’s essential to know what types of trees and shrubs will draw them near. Fruit-eating birds like bluebirds, robins, waxwings, finches, and woodpeckers have an affinity for Hollies as well as deciduous trees. The birds enjoy these trees as nesting sites, for shelter, and for their fruit. Cardinals, cedar waxings, and robins are known for their love of crabapple, dogwood, and berry or fruit-bearing trees as well.

As for shrubs, both deciduous and evergreen shrubs are favorites for woodpeckers, mockingbirds, finches, bluebirds, robins, grosbeaks, and thrushes. Not only do these shrubs provide cover but the fall fruit they bear may last into the winter in some cases.