Feeding Birds in Winter

Posted by Rosemary Drisdelle Feb 1, 2008

During the winter months, I notice that birds are most abundant at my feeders when the snow is deep or the weather especially cold. This is because it’s harder for birds to find food at these times – at other times, the birds are off finding natural food sources. Backyard feeders are accessible sources of good food for birds that are struggling with winter conditions.

I sometimes hear people saying that you shouldn’t feed birds because it makes them too reliant on handouts, and incapable of fending for themselves. Once you start feeding, some say, you can’t stop because the birds will starve. We also hear that feeding discourages birds from migrating.

Experts tell us that none of these things are entirely true. Even when they visit feeders, birds get the majority of their food from natural sources; if the feeder unavoidably goes empty, they’ll turn to other feeders and to natural sources, just like they would in the wild; a dwindling food supply isn’t generally the cue that triggers bird migration.

So go ahead and feed the birds: it will help them survive the cold days and nights of winter. They’ll also benefit from a roosting box, a brush pile, or other shelter.

Read about feeder maintenance and cleaning.