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Feeding Wild Birds in Winter – High Calorie Foods and Water

Posted by: Frank Indiviglio in Bird Behavior, Bird diet, Bird Health, Field Notes and Observations on Birds, General Bird Care, Wild Birds January 5, 2011 Comments Off on Feeding Wild Birds in Winter – High Calorie Foods and Water 7119 Views

Blue Jay with PeanutIn the past I have written about the importance of providing wild birds with salt, grit and other essentials that are sometimes over-looked by folks maintaining bird feeders (please see article below).  Today I’d like to highlight high-calorie foods and water, both of which become increasingly important as temperatures drop.

How Do They Cope?

I’ve always wondered how birds, which seem so fragile in some ways, managed to cope with frigid winter temperatures.  The point was brought home to me when I cared for outdoor bird exhibits at the Bronx Zoo. I would arrive at 5 AM, and shuddered to see birds such as Bald Ibis and Indian Peafowl (which I associate with warm climates) sound asleep while covered in snow. 

It turns out that the internal temperature of birds exceeds our own, hovering at 108-110 F in most species.  This, and other cold-thwarting metabolic tricks, enables many to survive extremely cold temperatures.  However, most birds have very fast metabolisms, and their caloric needs soar as the winter arrives.  Eagles, owls, cranes and other outdoor birds I have cared for consumed much more food in winter than in summer.

One way you can help local wild birds survive this harshest of seasons is to stock your feeders with high-calorie foods.

Important Winter Foods

SuetFreeze-Dried Mealworms provide calories and also protein, which is hard to come by in winter.  Many birds, even Robins and other insectivores, shift to berries during winter – these species will appreciate Mealworms and Fruit to Go.

Other especially important winter bird foods include suet bars, peanuts, and sunflower seeds.  Many “people foods” also provide excellent nutrition for our avian neighbors, so be sure to save leftover fat trimmings, fruit, cream cheese, cooked rice, potatoes and similar items.

One thing to keep in mind, however, is uninvited guests – rats, raccoons and animals as large as bears are also quick to take advantage of free food.  Most birds need to eat first thing in the morning and just before dusk – feeding at these times will lessen the likelihood of drawing nocturnal mammals.  One night-time visitor you may wish to encourage, however, is the entertaining Flying Squirrel.  These little fellows are great favorites of mine – a look at the video linked below will show you why.

Water and other Needs

Chickadee at FeederBirds also need water in winter (most continue to bathe despite the cold) – often this is extremely critical, as winter weather may be very dry.  Our Bird Bath De-Icer will enable you to provide ice-free water even at sub-zero temperatures.  It is thermostatically set to operate only when needed, thereby saving money and electricity, and can be spray-painted to match your bird bath.

Birds also have a hard time finding grit, calcium, salt and shelter during the winter – please see the article below for more info on providing these and other necessities.

Further Reading

Winter Bird Feeding Tips for UK Residents

A wonderful video of Flying Squirrels at bird feeders

Hand Taming Wild Birds at the Feeder

Grit, Calcium and other Winter Bird Needs

 

Blue Jay with Peanut image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Saforrest
Chickadee at Feeder image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Furntree

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About Frank Indiviglio

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I believe that I was born with an intense interest in animals, as neither I nor any of my family can recall a time when I was not fascinated by creatures large and small. One might imagine this to be an unfortunate set of circumstances for a person born and raised in the Bronx, but, in actuality, quite the opposite was true. Most importantly, my family encouraged both my interest and the extensive menagerie that sprung from it. My mother and grandmother somehow found ways to cope with the skunks, flying squirrels, octopus, caimans and countless other odd creatures that routinely arrived un-announced at our front door. Assisting in hand-feeding hatchling praying mantises and in eradicating hoards of mosquitoes (I once thought I had discovered “fresh-water brine shrimp” and stocked my tanks with thousands of mosquito larvae!) became second nature to them. My mother went on to become a serious naturalist, and has helped thousands learn about wildlife in her 16 years as a volunteer at the Bronx Zoo. My grandfather actively conspired in my zoo-buildings efforts, regularly appearing with chipmunks, boa constrictors, turtles rescued from the Fulton Fish Market and, especially, unusual marine creatures. It was his passion for seahorses that led me to write a book about them years later. Thank you very much, for a complete biography of my experience click here.
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