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