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Should You Feed Wild Birds In Winter?

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Birds play an important role in keeping the natural environment in balance but should you feed them in winter?
Sustayn
  • 19 December 2022
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If you’ve ever listened to the sound of birds chirping in the morning, you’ll be familiar with the incredible sense of ease and rightness with the world their little songs can bring. There’s a reason post-apocalyptic movies highlight the eerie silence of a world without birds chirping, things just feel off instantly. With bird watching becoming one of the fastest growing hobbies in North America, and one in five Canadians bird-watching, I’m not alone in this love of birds. Studies even show that seeing different birds can increase our happiness levels on par with an increase in income. And that’s just the tip of the birds are awesome iceberg. But should you feed birds in winter and why would it matter if you did?

Should You Feed Birds In Winter?

Short answer, yes. 

Long answer, yes and here’s why.

Because of climate change, loss of natural environment and changing migration patterns, about 16.5 percent of bird and mammal pollinators are currently threatened with extinction. We need these pollinators for nearly 90 percent of the world’s plants and 75 percent of food crops. So no more pollinators means no more food.

Winter is a tough time for birds, especially if it snows where you live. With frozen ground and a layer of snow, finding food and water can be pretty difficult. Which isn’t great since birds need to eat a lot in winter to stay warm. But on the bright side, birds with access to supplemental food, e.g. from bird feeders, do better over winter than those that don’t. So if you can feed birds during winter, do.

Why Feed Wild Birds In Winter?

Birds play an important role in keeping the natural environment in balance. This is a year-round job that becomes more difficult in winter. On top of being excellent pollinators and seed dispersers, they help with insect and rodent control and their high visibility gives us an easy way to do health checks on the environment.

Birds Make Us Happier 

Being in nature is a mood booster for humans, but being around birds especially, makes us really happy. Studies show that just seeing and hearing birds increases our happiness levels. 

They Spread Seeds and Spores

By eating, pooping and hopping around, birds naturally spread seeds and spores. This helps create more plants, food sources and build nutrient networks for the surrounding environment. 

They Control Pests And Disease

Globally, birds eat and remove 400 to 500 million metric tons of insects from the world every year. Larger birds like owls can also be used as a natural pest control for farms since they prey on mice, gophers and voles. Studies also show the importance of vultures in controlling disease by helping remove decomposing carcasses from the environment. 

They Help Us Check World Health 

Birds are everywhere and they need the same conditions as humans to survive. Because of their high visibility they’re relatively easy for scientists to track. If their numbers start to drop suddenly, we know something’s off and we can investigate.   

They Help Other Birds

Birds aren’t just here for their own good, they’re also happy to help other birds. Studies show that birds do particularly well when woodpeckers are around. Their wood pecking creates perfect homes for cavity-dwellers, or birds that live in tree trunks. Research even shows birds do better in woodpecker holes than natural decayed spaces. And all that pecking also makes it easier for birds to get at the insects inside. Just birds helping birds. 

How To Feed Birds In Winter

1. Know Your Local Birds

Some birds like to feed from feeders, others like to pick up seed from the ground. Even out of the feeder category, certain birds prefer different feeders, e.g. chickadees like tubes but doves prefer tray feeders. Research wild birds in your areas and decide which ones you’d like to feed before investing in a feeder. You’ll have a better chance of attracting your favourite birds if you set up the best little feeding station to welcome them in. 

2. Get A Feeder

Once you know which birds are in your area, and assuming they’re feeder birds, the next step is to get the feeder. Check out your local garden centres or bird stores first, employees there might have some handy advice on your local birds. Otherwise, there’s plenty of bird feeders online, some even have smart cams. 

3. Keep Your Feeder Clean

Birds can get sick and disease can spread from bird droppings or mouldy bird seed. You should clean your bird feeder every two weeks. A simple mix of one part bleach to nine parts water does the trick. Let it soak for 10 minutes, rinse it off and let it dry completely. 

4. Feed Them High Energy Food

Birds need a lot of calories to get through a cold winter. Feeding them a high energy food like suet can help them stock up on the energy they need. Keep your eyes peeled for chickadees, jays and woodpeckers if you put it on the menu.  

For DIY recipes, read 5 Homemade Bird Seed Recipes

5. Keep Cats Away

It’s no secret that cats love to stalk and attack birds. Out of the 270 million birds that die from human activity every year, about 75% are killed by cats. Perching your bird feeder on top of a tall, slippery metal pole can help deter cats from reaching your feathered friends. 

Sustayn is designed to present the most useful recommendations for environmentally friendly approaches and items. We update links when possible, but note that links can be broken and subject to change.

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