Feeding The Birds with Country Paint & Hardware

Bird feeders are a delight to both people and birds alike. Many hang bird feeders in the backyard so that they can see the little feathered friends gather for a meal through the kitchen window. Bird watchers and casual spotters enjoy identifying which birds gather at the feeder by their markings, tweets, and behaviors. It's heartwarming to watch a single bird peck at the feeder hanging from your tree and uplifting to see a whole flock playing and feeding.

But bird feeders in the winter are even more important - they support our local non-migratory bird population. Here at Country Paint & Hardware, we have everything you need to keep your favorite backyard birds well-fed and flitting around outside your window all winter long.

Why We Feed Birds in the Winter

Birds typically live off berries, seeds, and small insects. In the winter, the supply of all their food sources is likely to drop. As foliage falls, the thick bushes and tree boughs birds nest and hunt in disappear. There are very few food sources to be found. But you can still help these little friends. Modern non-migratory birds depend on bird feeders to find enough calories in the wintertime. They need a mix of nutrients that is especially high in protein and fat to keep warm in the winter. Without bird feeders, local birds would begin to starve and those that survived will leave to find food elsewhere. 

The good news is that it's easy to take care of your local birds and enjoy their company in the mornings and afternoons. All you need is a bird feeder with a supply of seeds and some protection from marauding squirrels.

Setting Up a Bird Feeder and Watering Station

You can hang a bird feeder anywhere in your yard. They can hang from the eaves of your house, the boughs of a tree, or post up on a pole. Hopper feeders and tube feeders are the most sanitary and easy to maintain, while suet feeders are especially helpful to birds that need extra fat in their diet. Fresh water is also especially important for birds in the winter. A simple bird bath or fountain is all they need. Some homeowners install a drop-heater to gently warm the water and keep it from freezing.

To set up your bird feeder, choose a place relatively safe from predators and hang a feeder topped with seed. Every few days, clean the feeder and fill with fresh seed. You can keep fresh birdseed in a clipped bag or covered bucket for easy refills.

Keeping Squirrels Out of Your Birdseed

One of the biggest challenges when setting up a bird feeder is keeping the squirrels away. Don't get us wrong, squirrels are cute, but they will outright maraud a bird feeder. Without protection, a squirrel can tip a bird feeder sideways, dump the seeds, and collect from the ground. How do you protect your bird feeder from squirrels? Squirrel baffles can do just that - they baffle squirrels on how to reach the bird feeder from a tree limb. A tube feeder in a cage can also allow small birds to access the seeds inside but keep larger squirrels and other seed raiders at bay.

The Right Birdseed for Your Local Birds

What type of birdseed should you put in your feeder? That depends on the types of birds in your backyard and the types of birds you want to see. There are plenty of great seed for backyard birds, like our Bargain of the Month: Wild Bird Food . 

However, if there are special birds you want to see, you can try the Birder's Blend, formulated to attract a greater variety of backyard birds including cardinals and woodpeckers.

For something truly special, try putting out mealworms, little freeze-dried insects for your hungry local birds to enjoy. Species that like mealworms include chickadees, robins, cardinals, bluebirds, and wrens. These high-energy snacks are adored by winter birds and you'll love watching them eat from colorful mealworm feeders.

 
Feeding the Birds with Country Paint & Hardware

Country Paint & Hardware is here for all your backyard needs, from rebuilding the deck to keeping your favorite family of non-migratory birds well-fed this winter.  From bird baths and feeders to bird seed supplies, we're here to help you feed our local birds.