The crisp chill of winter is here. For those hardy backyard birds that overwinter in the Pacific Northwest, food supplies are dwindling. Keep your feathered friends well-fed during these cold months and they’ll thank you with a song.
Tips for feeding wild birds, safely and responsibly:
1. Give them choices. Think variety is for the birds? Well, you’re right. Different types of birds will flock to different types of feeders and food, so mix things up.
Hopper Feeders
Hopper feeders have storage bins that hold a lot of seed—a real convenience for hard-to-reach spots and windy locations where lighter foods can blow away.
Hummer Feeders
Hummingbirds overwinter in the PNW and love their liquid diet. We feed the hummers at Molbak’s too! This is one of our regulars at the feeder above. You can buy premade food or make your own. The recipe is simple—remember the 4:1 ratio; four parts water and one part sugar.
Platform Feeders
A platform feeder will attract ground feeders. Having ground feeders right at your window is a real treat in the winter time when you’re inside. Have your bird ID book handy—you can create fun family time learning about your visitors.
Variety is also important as far as food is concerned. Some birds, including finches and grosbeaks, only eat seeds and nuts. Others rely on both plant and animal sources of food. For the seed-eaters, if you’re going to buy just one seed, reach for black oil sunflower—it will appeal to the largest variety of backyard birds. Insect-eaters such as woodpeckers, chickadees and nuthatches like protein-rich suet and peanuts—these foods are like energy bars for winter-weary birds. And goldfinches love nyjer seed.
2. Find a safe perch.There are lots of things to consider when you’re choosing a spot for your birdfeeder: swooping hawks, pouncing cats, thieving squirrels and more. Find a place that’s easy for you to view and access, and that’s dry and protected from the weather and predators. Caged perches and squirrel baffles are available to keep small predators from stealing the food. You could also try putting a cob of corn in a different location to divert squirrels from raiding your feeders.
3. Keep it clean.At least once a season, clean your feeder to protect your feathered friends from disease. Empty out remaining seed, scrub with soap and water, soak in a light water and vinegar solution (20 parts water to 1 part vinegar), rinse, and dry thoroughly before refilling.
4. Make a splash.Water can really set your backyard bird bistro apart from the rest. In cold weather, bathing can help birds improve the insulation capacity of their feathers. An ideal bath is shallow (1-2 inches), and sheltered from surprise attacks. If freezing temperatures are expected, add hot water to your bath in the morning or invest in a bird bath heater specifically designed for outdoor bird baths. Any circulating water birdbath will prevent freezing and has the added benefit of creating soothing sounds for your backyard oasis. Molbak’s has a large selection of winterized birdbaths to grace your garden.
5. Plant bird-friendly favorites. Treat your backyard birds to a berry feast by planting PNW native berry producing shrubs.
Evergreen Huckleberry
Evergreen huckleberries are a nice addition to any landscape. There are many varieties available at Molbak’s. These shrubs can be gently shaped if necessary, just remember to leave the flowers so the berries can develop and feed the birds.
Snowberry
Snowberry bushes retain their berries long after their leaves fall. This Pacific Northwest native does well at a woodland edge. Birds enjoy the bounty well into winter.
Dwarf Mugo Pine
Consider adding some low-growing evergreen shrubs or conifers to your landscape – Dwarf Mugo Pines are a great choice. When the winter winds whip up, or predators are overhead, low-profile shrubs will provide a safe haven for birds.
No matter how you decide to feed your backyard birds—with feeders or berries—they will add flits of life to your winter garden. At Molbak’s, we are all FOR the birds.
