Days are short, windy and cold and nights are long and even colder. The abundant vegetation of summer and fall has withered or been consumed and most insects are dead or dormant. If you don't already have a backyard feeder now is the perfect time to set one up. It will make your feathered friends lives easier and yours more enjoyable as you observe their beauty and antics.
Most songbirds feed on insects and spiders during the spring and summer months.
However, in the fall and winter non-migratory songbirds must shift their diets to fruits and seeds to survive. These seeds are nutritious and high in fat plus their small size and thin shells make them easy for small birds to eat. Thistle or Niger Seeds Thistle seeds are a delicacy for goldfinches, siskins and redpolls. It is best to offer these seeds in a special thistle feeder which has tiny ports that prevent the seeds from spilling out. You can attract insect-eating birds such as Chickadees, woodpeckers and nuthatches to your yard by offering peanut butter or suet.