Winter isn’t easy for birds that don’t migrate. Here’s how to help them survive the cold season
Black-capped Chickadee. Ed Reschke / Getty Images
Though gardens go dormant in winter, the colder months are actually the most important ones to feed your backyard songbirds, like chickadees, who don’t migrate. Their natural food sources are limited, especially during snow and ice storms, and their energy demands are great during the cold weather. Here are three steps to take to help the birds in your backyard.
These pro tips are from Seattleite Ed Mills, expert birder and co-founder of Audubon Park Wild Bird Food.
1. Choose healthy foods
Birds need unsalted/unsweetened foods like orange and apple slices, frozen or dried cherries, peanut butter, unseasoned beef fat, sunflower seeds or peanuts, quinoa and millet.
Use a plant saucer for drinking water. Refresh it daily to prevent freezing.
