Backyard Bodega: Winter Bird Feeder Basics

Besides getting wild birds through some bitter conditions, a winter bird feeder also serves as a great wingman. Come spring during mating season, a well-fed bird is more likely to lay eggs sooner and have chicks with healthier weights. If you’re ready to change the seasonal fortunes of the beaked, Pet Supplies Plus is ready to help.

On top of carrying a wide selection of wild bird food, we also have tips for getting the most out of your winter bird feeding experience.

1. Pick the Right Spot

Wild birds don’t want to be blindsided by a predator while eating. Place your bird feeder about 10 to 12 feet away from natural cover like a tree, shrub or brush pile. This will give them a safe place where they can make sure the coast is clear. Having the feeder at this distance also prevents predators from using the natural cover as a hiding spot while the birds are eating.

Then there’s the whole flying into window thing.

Hang your bird feeder 30 feet or more away from any windows. This is enough distance to prevent a bird from getting confused by any window reflections. If you want the feeder closer to your home, put it within 3 feet of a window. From this far away, a bird wont’ have enough momentum for a dangerous collision during a landing.

2. Know When and What to Feed Them

Try to fill winter bird feeders every day in the late afternoon or early evening. Ensuring they have food this time of day serves two purposes. First, it helps birds build fat reserves for those long winter nights. Second, it makes food available in the morning for a quick energy burst.

As for what should go in the feeder, we suggest:

• Wild Bird Seed Mixes – Look for ones that include oil sunflower seeds and/or millet. These ingredients are a good source of fat, protein and energy.
• Peanuts – Make sure you use a feeder made for peanuts.
• Suet Cakes – Many types of wild birds like suet and it provides them with loads of energy.
• Nyjer Seed – Provides a healthy amount of oil.

As part of your winter bird feeding routine, you should also brush off any snow or ice after a storm so your backyard buddies can still get to the food.

3. Enjoy the Bird Show

Now comes the fun part. Having a winter bird feeder means getting the chance to have all kinds of interesting feathery visitors. 

• American Robin – Common throughout the U.S.
• Bohemian Waxwing – Seen in the northwest and northern Rocky Mountain regions
• California Quail – Found in the Pacific Northwest and throughout the western U.S.
• Dark-Eyed Junco – Common in the western and eastern U.S.
• Downy Woodpecker – Found throughout the U.S.
• House Sparrow – Seen throughout the U.S.
• Mountain Chickadee – Usually in the western mountain regions
• Northern Cardinal – Found throughout the eastern U.S.
• Pine Siskin – Seen in the northern most parts of the U.S.
• Red-Breasted Nuthatch – Usually in the upper Appalachian Mountains and western mountain regions
• Snow Bunting – Common in the northern U.S.
• Tufted Titmouse – Seen throughout the eastern U.S.

4. Keep the Bird Feeder Clean

What you don’t want to do is spread any sort of avian disease. Wash your bird feeder every two weeks, using a mixture of nine-parts water to one-part bleach. Before you rehang the feeder, make sure it’s completely dry and free of any caked-on debris.

5. Don’t’ Forget the Water

Like all animals, wild birds need to stay hydrated. This can be hard during the winter, so if you can, put a birdbath in your yard. To prevent the water from freezing, put it somewhere that gets a lot of sun, keep it full or even consider getting a birdbath heater. To prevent bacteria from forming on the basin’s surface, constantly replace the water.

Closing Thoughts

Winter is not kind to the food sources of wild birds. A winter bird feeder can help. Make sure your feeder isn’t too close to any sort of natural cover where predators can hide and stalk our feathered friends. The feeder should also be within 3 feet or past 30 feet of your home. This’ll help prevent collisions with your windows.

As for meals, Pet Supplies Plus offers a wide variety of food that gives wild birds the kind of fat and energy they need to survive the cold. Take that, Old Man Winter.