Winter in Central Ohio is for the birds—bird watchers, that is! With little vegetation to provide camoflauge, bird activity is more visible. And with fewer food sources available, birds will flock to reliable feeders. Not all birdseed is created equally, however. To make the most out of your feeding experience, it’s important to choose the right food:
- Black-oil sunflower seeds will attract just about any bird including blue jays, cardinals, chickadees, finches, nuthatches and titmice. It’s a better choice than the white or gray-striped variety, as it is higher in oil content and easier to crack. The seed inside the shell is also bigger than its counterpart. Those birds that can’t crack the shell will pick up the bits that fall to the ground.
- De-shelled, dry-roasted and unsalted peanuts are also a crowd favorite. Red-bellied, downy and hairy woodpeckers love this high-protein, high-energy food, as do songbirds. While high quality birdseed mixes usually do include peanut pieces, you can purchase a tube-shaped feeder specifically for this purpose.
- Suet is a formulation of animal fats and other ingredients. And while it can be used year round, it is a quick source of heat and energy for birds in the wintertime. Offering suet cakes in a wire cage will surely lure woodpeckers to your feeding operation. You can even make a suet holder from an onion bag.
- Blackbirds, doves and sparrows are a few amongst the many species attracted to cracked corn. The advantage of “cracked” corn is its manageable size (and therefore its digestibility) versus whole kernels that are still on the cob. Mallard ducks, rabbits, squirrels and wild turkeys also love this winter treat and are a reliable clean up crew beneath the feeder.
- Niger seed, otherwise known as thistle, is an oily seed adored by goldfinches, house finches and the like. But buyers beware! Niger is not only expensive, but it has a tendency to get moldy in wet weather which means birds will turn up their beaks and not eat it.
- As mentioned previously, mixed birdseed can be a mixed bag. While it is usually the least expensive option, don’t be fooled by the price tag. Mixed seed from grocery stores, etc. is comprised mostly of filler— junk seeds the birds will toss aside while looking for all of the good stuff. Instead, look for mixed varieties comprised of black-oil sunflower, peanuts, cracked corn and suet pieces.
- No food list is complete without mentioning the importance of water. In fact, birds often suffer more from lack of water than food. When temperatures plunge below freezing, providing a consistent source of water guarantees a steady stream of backyard visitors. Heated birdbaths are reasonably priced and available at specialty bird stores.
Watching our feathered friends brave the winter elements can certainly pull at our heartstrings, but it’s important to recognize that human intervention can also make things worse. This is especially true for waterfowl. Providing inappropriate foods, such as bread and popcorn, can be lethal to ducks, geese and swans. Additional problems that come from people feeding waterfowl an unsuitable diet include:
- Digestive issues that can lead to malnutrition and eventual wing deformities, such as “Angel-wing”
Goose with Angel-wing - Bread can expand in the bird’s throat and can cause choking, impaction and infections
- Dependence on people for food
- Bird/human conflicts
- Spread of wildlife disease
- Altering of natural migratory behavior
