Backyard birds need winter foods: seven options experts recommend

Experts say seeds, nuts and other high-energy foods help backyard birds maintain fat reserves in winter, and that offering varied feeders and keeping them clean supports a wider range of species.

Winter brings different nutrient needs for many backyard birds. Experts say birds shift away from high-protein insects and instead rely on seeds, nuts and other high-energy foods to maintain fat reserves for warmth. Many species lower their metabolic rate at night but still burn fat and need accessible food sources during cold spells. The article also notes that using different feeder types and attending to feeder hygiene can affect which species are able to feed in a yard. Key points: - Seeds and nuts are often favored in colder months because birds need to maintain fat reserves to keep warm. - Birds can enter varying degrees of torpor at night but continue to use stored fat during cold periods. - Different feeder types — such as hopper, tube and platform feeders — accommodate a wider diversity of species. - Regular cleaning of feeders with hot soapy water, thorough rinsing and air drying is recommended to reduce mold and bacterial growth, experts say. - Window collisions are cited as a significant cause of bird deaths, and deterrents like hanging cords or adhesive dots are mentioned to reduce reflections. Summary: High-energy foods combined with varied feeding stations and attention to feeder hygiene are described as supporting backyard bird survival during colder months. Undetermined at this time.