| Winter weather will soon be here in many parts of | | | | even in winter. Obviously, freezing is an issue, so a |
| the country, yet many of us enjoy our wild birds | | | | heater is a necessity. Also, birds like moving water, |
| year-round. Should you continue feeding them in | | | | and water jigglers are available as well. Locate your |
| winter? What should you feed them, and how should | | | | bird bath where you can see it so you can enjoy |
| you go about it? | | | | watching the birds frolic in the water. |
| The "conventional wisdom" has always been that you | | | | Selecting a Feeder. There is a huge variety of |
| should feed wild birds in winter because their normal | | | | feeders on the market, but some are better than |
| source of food - small seeds and insects - has | | | | others. Steel, aluminum, plastic or glass feeders have |
| dramatically diminished. But is the conventional | | | | an advantage over wood because they are easier to |
| wisdom correct? By attracting birds to our feeders, | | | | keep clean and will probably last longer. Look for |
| are we making them too dependent on a free | | | | feeders with metal components and feeding ports, |
| source of food, and weakening their ability to find | | | | as they will last longer than plastic. |
| food on their own? Do we actually put birds at | | | | The feeder should keep the food dry in wet |
| greater risk because of cats and flying into windows? | | | | weather. Feeders are available with domes or roofs |
| These are not easy questions to answer because | | | | that will help keep the food dry. If the feeder is a |
| there has been little research into the subject. | | | | platform style (as opposed to a tube style) make |
| However a three-year study of chickadees by the | | | | sure there are drain holes in the bottom. |
| University of Wisconsin found that winter survival | | | | Squirrels and Raccoons are a constant problem, as |
| rates were highest among chickadee populations that | | | | they will empty a feeder, denying your wild birds |
| were fed - but only during the harshest winters. | | | | their food. They will destroy a wood or plastic feeder |
| During more moderate winters (and lower latitudes) | | | | by chewing though it, so the additional cost of a |
| there were no significant differences in survival rates | | | | well-made feeder is money well spent. Some |
| and spring hatching rates between chickadees that | | | | squirrel-proof feeders are quite effective, but proper |
| were fed and those that foraged for themselves. | | | | installation is the real key to keeping moochers off |
| What if the feeders are removed? Can chickadees | | | | your feeders. |
| "remember" how to find food on their own? In a | | | | Maintaining your feeder. The most important part of |
| similar study, feeders were suddenly removed after | | | | maintaining your feeder is ensuring that the food is |
| conditioning the birds to feeders for many years. The | | | | fresh and clean. A huge feeder with a "ten pound |
| birds immediately resumed feeding on their own. | | | | capacity" is not necessary or even desirable because |
| Again, survival rates were the same as for | | | | it is likely the food will spoil before it is eaten. Some |
| chickadees that were not used to feeders. While | | | | very good tube feeders will hold a lot of food, but |
| more research needs to be done, these studies | | | | the purpose of the long tube is to prevent squirrels |
| indicate that feeding chickadees - and presumably, | | | | from hanging from the top, not for huge food |
| other wild birds - does not result in feeder | | | | capacity. |
| dependency. | | | | After a rain or period of damp weather, inspect your |
| Some argue that feeders put birds at risk because of | | | | feeders and discard any food that has gotten wet. |
| the presumed greater risk of predation. However, | | | | Wet food will coagulate in the feeder, blocking food |
| birds that eat from feeders eat more in less time | | | | from naturally dropping to the feeding ports. Also, |
| than if they forage in the wild, giving them more time | | | | wet food is a breeding ground for algae and mold |
| to watch for predators. You can minimize the risk to | | | | that will discourage birds from eating and may make |
| birds at your feeder by placing feeders where they | | | | them sick. |
| are inaccessible by cats, and by adding tape or decals | | | | Set up more than one feeder with different types of |
| to your windows so birds won't fly into them. | | | | food - perhaps sunflower seeds in one, and finch |
| That's the research. Now, if you do want to feed | | | | food in another. |
| wild birds this winter, here are some specific things | | | | Your feeders should be installed to minimize the |
| you can do to keep your wild birds well fed. | | | | chances of predation. The primary preditors are cats, |
| Birdscape your yard. Both deciduous and evergreen | | | | so the feeder must be installed so that cats cannot |
| trees and shrubs provide seeds and shelter. In the | | | | climb or jump to the feeding area. |
| spring, they provide nesting places. Ornamental | | | | Bottom line - don't feel you are doing your birds harm |
| grasses also provide food and shelter for ground | | | | by feeding them during the winter. Follow the above |
| birds. Perennial flowers that have been allowed to go | | | | suggestions, and you can enjoy your wild birds all |
| to seed can also provide food over the winter. | | | | winter long. |
| Provide a source of water. Wild birds need water, | | | | |