Does winter weather get you down? Brighten up those dreary days by attracting beautiful birds to your yard. Whether it’s a food source or protection from the colder temperatures, there are several ways you can attract birds to your yard this winter. Unlike other wild animals, birds actually rely on us come wintertime. Since most of
their natural food supply (which consists mainly of worms, fruit and fallen seeds) is difficult to locate during winter, many birds have a hard time coping with the colder temperatures. To keep themselves warm, birds will fluff up their feathers; this movement produces air pockets, keeping the birds well insulated for a short duration.
But, like typical warm-blooded animals, they can only do that for so long before exhausting themselves. One way to coax them into your yard is by offering them high-calorie and high-fat foods. Rich in protein and packed with pure fat substance, these foods provide birds with high doses of energy so they can deal with the sudden drops in temperature. Whether you put out just one or many types of bird seed, you are actually helping several bird species stay alive. Now that the birds are well fed, how do they stay hydrated? Like food in winter, water is in high demand but in short supply. Since their typical water sources (ponds, streams and rivers) are frozen over, birds often have to search for fresh water. You can help these desperate birds quench their thirst by placing a heated birdbath in your backyard. And, if you already have an unheated birdbath, you can place a Birdbath deicer at the bottom of your basin. This heating element is critical because it prevents the water from freezing, allowing the birds to sip on some crisp and cold water. Once a flock of birds identify a safe and secure water source in your yard, you’ll have a lot of feathered friends visiting you in the coming months.
