In our area of the Mid-Atlantic, many species of birds fly south in fall as the days shorten and their food sources become scarce. However, other species such as cardinals, woodpeckers, blue jays, and goldfinches stay around through the winter and will be eager to visit feeders where they find a steady supply of food. Even though we haven’t had a particularly harsh winter so far, this is the time of year when food starts to dwindle for our non-migratory, backyard birds.

Many of them rely on the spent seed-heads of perennials or berries left over from fall, but it doesn’t take too long before those food sources begin to dwindle. And as the temperatures begin to drop in January and February, birds will need high-energy, high-protein foods to maintain their body temperatures. That means birds need food the most when it is least available in the wild. That’s where you come in!

Setting up a Bird Feeding Station

Offer a feeding station that consists of a birdfeeder filled with one of our quality seed mixes. Choose a blend that is specially formulated to attract a variety of birds. Ingredients should include bird favorites like black oil sunflower, thistle and peanuts, which are attractive to a wide range of birds including cardinals, chickadees, finches, native sparrows and others. K&B True Value carries a variety of feeders specific to the type of seed blend and bird species that you are feeding. Common types include covered or open platforms for any size seed blend, cylinders or tubes for small seeds, and a hopper or “house” style to hold larger seeds like sunflower.

In addition to seed, consider offering suet as well. Birds use a lot of energy in the winter to stay warm and search for food, and suet is the high-energy snack that can help keep them going through the tough times. Rich in valuable calories because it’s primarily made of fat, suet attracts woodpeckers, chickadees and many other species. We carry wire-cage feeders designed specifically for suet. The birds will cling to the wire and peck at the food through the gaps.

You’ll become a hub of the bird community once you acquire the reputation for fine dining. Make sure to stay on top of keeping the feeders filled, especially when it is particularly cold or snowy. And if you haven’t yet, join our K&B True Value Birding Club! Just buy ten bags of birdseed and get one bag free! You save and the birds eat. Win-win.