How To Provide Winter Food & Water for Birds

How To Provide Winter Food & Water for Birds

When it comes to supporting your backyard ecosystem, one of the best things you can do is keep your birds fed and hydrated as temperatures drop.

 

Birds benefit most from a helping hand from humans during winter when they need the most energy to survive. Birds migrate to their winter locales and lack natural food sources in winter, making it a dire decision to feed or not to feed. 

 

You can think of feeding your feathered friends as a way of supplementing their diets due to a loss of habitat and fewer bird-friendly shrubs. So, feed away!

 

So how can you make the most of your backyard, deck, or front porch for birds? Here are some of the most important aspects of winter bird support you need to know:

 

Winter Bird Feeding Basics

 

A Variety Birds Requires a Variety of Feeders

When it comes to providing your winged friends with winter sustenance, it’s important to place different types of feeders throughout your yard.

 

You will want a few powerhouse, large-capacity bird feeders. The Woodlink Birds’ Choice Squirrel Proof Feeder is an excellent choice for allowing the most birds the greatest access to winter seed. Plus, the sloped roof does a wonderful job of keeping snow from accumulating and keeping seed dry.

 

You also will want some more petite feeders for smaller species. The Jacobi Jayne Ilr-X2 offers easy access to food with a built-in cover to prevent squirrels from robbing birds of their winter provisions. The built-in baffle also works to protect the food and perch from snow.

 

The Jacobi Jayne Ilr-Wf is a great option for an up-close view of winter birds, and also has a canopy to keep snowfall from bothering your birds. Just keep in mind that you will want to place a decal on your glass to prevent birds from flying into your glass. However, having the feeder on your window actually reduces collisions from birds taking off!

 

Birds adore the Jacobi Jayne Flutter Butter Combo, which also provides birds a great resting spot that can be tucked away from the elements.

 

Keep your hummingbird feeders out during the day. There is a myth that hummingbirds do not eat over winter--but they do! In fact, they need even more access to nectar while blooms are scarce. However, you will want to bring your feeders in overnight to prevent freezing and cracking.

 

Placement Is Important

Birds can be flighty and shy when it comes to where they want to eat. To encourage more birds to partake in your bird buffet, be sure to establish a few spots that allow them to feel safe and comfortable. Here are some simple strategies for bird feeder placement:

 

  • Avoid areas with direct or strong winds.
  • Place your feeders within 15 to 25 feet from shrubs--this allows birds to flee if hawks pass and take breaks from feeding in a safe location.
  • Avoid placing your feeder within 6 feet of fences, branches, and shrubs where squirrels can jump onto the feeder.
  • Feeders should be at least 5 to 6 feet off the ground.

Using a bird feeding station or shepherd’s hook is a great way to ensure your feeder is in an ideal location.

 

Keep Cleaning Your Feeders

Just because it’s cold out, doesn’t mean bacteria and mold won’t grow. So, be sure to clean and sanitize your feeders often. While this can feel like a chore, sanitizing your feeders protects the bird population by preventing the spread of diseases.

 

The best way to keep your feeders clean is to use a 1-part bleach to 9-parts water mixture every two weeks.

 

Choose Winter-Smart Foods

Birds’ nutritional needs change throughout the year based on the availability of bugs, berries, other foods along with their energy needs. The best bird feeds for wintertime are high in fat and oils. 

 

The best winter bird food include:

 

 

Keep Your Feeders Covered and Protected

Just because it’s chilly out doesn’t mean predators aren’t hungry and ready to hunt. So, you will want to keep your bird feeders protected from predators and marauders. Using an upper and lower squirrel baffle will help prevent hawks and hungry snakes from making a meal of your birds.

 

Don’t Forget Water for Winter

It’s easy to overlook birds’ need for fresh, drinkable water. As water sources freeze, moving creeks and larger bodies of water can be crowded with predators--which can be dangerous for thirsty birds. Furthermore, searching for safe water sources burns a lot of energy. Luckily, hydrating your local birds is pretty simple.

 

Relocate Your Birdbath

Move your birdbath into a bright, sunny area. Not only will this prevent as much ice from forming, but predators are less likely to lurk around a birdbath in an open area.

 

Relocating smaller birdbaths can be a lot easier than dragging a concrete birdbath across the yard. Additionally, concrete birdbaths have a higher likelihood of cracking in freezing temperatures.

 

Perch Spots Keep Birds Dry and Happy

Thirsty birds may not want a full bath. To keep your bird dry, warm, and content, place some larger stones and branches in your birdbath, so your birds can land to drink without having to stand in the water.

 

Warm the Water

Prevent water from freezing in your birdbath with a birdbath deicer. This will warm your water all winter and encourage birds to use your birdbath as their favorite water source.

 

What else do you need to know to keep your backyard birds happy all winter?

 

Planting accompanying shrubs and bird food sources is a wonderfully sustainable way to keep your birds even happier! Furthermore, providing berries for mice, rats, squirrels, chipmunks, and other small critters can keep them from pillaging your feeders.

 

Do not bother feeding goldfinches. Goldfinches don’t like soggy food, and it can be quite difficult to keep their food completely dry over winter. They’re also very good at foraging during the winter months. 

 

There are few activities as enjoyable as watching birds chirp, chipper, and dig into your bird feeders. Just be sure you also provide water for these winged-wonders to drink and bathe in. And don’t forget to take photos of your favorite birds along the way! Don’t forget to prepare for spring nesting by keeping your birds happy with the best shrubs for nesting birds.

 

Happy gardening!