How to Attract Winter Birds to Your Backyard

Your backyard can look dull and lifeless in the winter but when a few of the beautiful winter bird species make a home in your backyard, things begin to liven up a bit. Attracting these birds is not hard to do. Provide shelter, food and water for the birds and you’ll begin to see a variety of species that include Blue Jays, sparrows, northern cardinals and even woodpeckers.

Start by placing birdhouses throughout your backyard to give the birds shelter. Then, put out some birdseed. The best choice is a combination of sunflower seeds, suet, white millet and cracked corn. Fruits and nuts will also draw in some species of birds. Place the bird feeders near trees and shrubs where the birds can have shelter from the rain, snow, ice and other predators such as cats and hawks.

Keep a check on the water in the birdbaths. If possible, refill it twice a day so the birds will have fresh water and so it won’t freeze over. If you live in regions where the winters are extremely cold, you may want to invest in a heated birdbath. Once you provide all the necessities the birds need to live and thrive, your backyard will soon fill with color and the beautiful sounds of winter birds chirping.