Crisp temperatures remind us that well maintained feeders are a great way to supplement bird diets when other food is scarce. Remember that birds will always prefer natural food sources and only rely on bird feeders for about 25% of their diet. However, winter cold and spring breeding seasons are excellent times to provide a strategic boost of nutrition.

The best overall food for most birds is black oil sunflower seed. This nutritional powerhouse offers:

High fat content (often around 40% oil)
High protein percentage (typically 15-20%)
Abundant vitamins and minerals
High fiber, but easy to crack
Less waste—and what falls is good for ground-feeding birds.

Ideal feeders for black oil sunflower seed are enclosed to prevent the seed from getting wet, with small ports and collapsible perches that support birds but not squirrels.

*Dark-eyed Junco* *on suet feeder*, *House Finches enjoy black oil sunflower seed*

To attract woodpeckers and Northern Flickers, try a suet cage—but get one with a tail prop. This allows birds who feed on tree-trunks to brace themselves as they eat. Many other birds—from chickadees to Red-winged Blackbirds—will flock to suet as a high-energy food during winter and breeding seasons. You can even make your own!*

Goldfinches and Pine Siskins prefer thistle or Nyjer seed. This tiny seed is perfect for their precise beaks that can negotiate the fine mesh of a thistle-seed feeder or sock. Most thistle-seed feeders can accommodate a small flock of birds, because they don’t like to dine alone!

When feeding, remember that Anna’s Hummingbird entertains us all year long! Select a free-hanging or window feeder with multiple ports, where you can see the level of the nectar (1 part sugar to 4 parts water). Be sure to clean your feeders weekly to keep them fresh and mold-free.

Finally, always provide birds fresh water for drinking and bathing—and be sure it didn’t freeze overnight! Position your feeders close to trees or bushes to provide safe cover and a quick retreat.

What’s the one thing you shouldn’t feed birds? Bread. It pales in comparison to the nutrition of these other foods, but it’s okay as an occasional treat, especially for jays (they like shelled, unsalted peanuts, too). Enjoy their antics and have fun feeding!

*SUET CAKES

1 cup chunky peanut butter or sunflower butter
1 cup lard (half of a pound-sized block)
2 cups quick-cooking oats
2 cups bird seed, preferably black oil sunflower or safflower seed
1 cup yellow corn meal
1 cup flour

Melt peanut butter and lard over low heat. In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients, then add liquid fat and mix thoroughly. Press into a 9 x 9 square pan lined with overhanging parchment paper or plastic wrap; refrigerate. When cool, lift out large cake and cut into quarters.

Photos by Ruth Shelly

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