How to Feed Wild Birds Through the Winter

If you choose to feed your backyard birds, it’s important to keep doing it throughout the cold season because birds can become dependent on your food and have a difficult time finding new sources if your feeders are empty.

Long, cold winter nights can be hard on wild birds. You can help them out by growing plants around your yard that offer seed and habitat through the winter or by providing supplemental feed at a bird feeder.

Many native trees and shrubs produce winter berries that are the perfect natural bird food. Start with a list of plants that are native to your area. Common winter-berrying plants are hollies, nandina, hawthorn and crabapple. Be sure to also plant some conifers like pines, junipers and spruces. These trees food, protection, and nesting all year long for wild birds.