Feeding birds in the winter is good for you and for birds. This enjoyable experience can bring you closer to nature while giving the birds some much-needed winter nourishment.
In addition, habitat loss due to development has destroyed much of the bird’s natural food sources. They will pay you back by providing insect control, eating weed seeds, and pollinating flowers.
This guide will share with you the 13 top foods for backyard birds and which birds like to eat the foods. We also answer some of your top questions!
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Know Your Species
It will help to have some basic knowledge about which species of birds over winter in your geographic area. That way you can decide which types of bird foods are best to purchase.
I’ve listed the common bird species that enjoy each type of food.
To learn about the best bird feeders check out That article.
After learning about food check out our article on feeder types
List of Top 13 Foods
Cracked Corn
Cracked corn is an inexpensive food that can be put in a tray or hopper feeder.
Birds that like cracked corn
Blue-jays, Crow, Doves, Grackles, Sparrows, and Tohee
Eggshells
Eggshells may seem like a strange thing to feed birds. However, baby poultry frequently are given eggshells as a form of calcium. Make sure to rinse them out.
This is not something you would feed on a regular basis. However, in early spring this can give a boost to mother birds who need extra calcium while their bodies develop eggs.
Fruit
Fruit is an attractive food for many species. There are feeders designed to hold halves of oranges and apples.
Don’t feed whole grapes or raisins if you have a dog in the yard as they may fall to the ground and they are toxic to dogs.
Birds who enjoy fruit:
Baltimore oriole, Bluebirds, Catbird, Grosbeak, Robins, Wrens
Homemade Treats
There are a number of inexpensive treats and bird foods you can make at home. Some make great projects for children.
Check out my article on DIY birdfeeders.
Mealworms
Mealworms are the larvae of the darking beetle. You can purchase them dried and you can easily raise your own!
They are favored by birds who are insect eaters such as:
Bluebirds, Cardinals, Chickadees, Grosbeak, Robins
Mixed Seeds
Mixed seeds come in an assorted variety. They will tell you the ingredients and what species they are geared towards.
They often contain a high percentage of millet and other seeds that get wasted. Check the expiration date!
Nectar
Nectar is provided naturally by flowering plants however you can purchase nectar to put in your hummingbird feeders.
For those that live in the deep south, hummingbirds are common backyard visitors.
Orioles also enjoy nectar.
Peanuts
Peanuts can be purchased whole in the shell or already shelled. They are high in fat and make a good winter food supplement. Make sure they are dry roasted and UN- salted.
Unshelled peanuts are great for larger birds who enjoy getting the nut from the shell. Note the shells will fall to the ground and become messy.
Whole peanuts are great for:
Blue-jays, Cardinals, Grackles, and Woodpeckers
Peanut Butter (Unsalted)
Peanut butter (or almond butter) is a great way to attach seeds to a pinecone or other DIY feeder.
Check out our article and video on feeding wildlife in winter.
Safflower Seeds
Safflower seeds are often seen as a squirrel-proof alternative to sunflower seeds. The birds like them but squirrels not so much. They may also not be as popular with larger birds.
Safflower seeds have a hard hull and are not as easily eaten by your backyard birds.
Birds that eat safflower seeds:
Cardinals, Junco, Woodpeckers
Suet
Suet is a type of food made of a mix of fats, seeds, nuts, and or dried fruits. They typically come pre-made in a square or sometimes a ball shape.
Suet is a high-energy food and great for the winter. The cooler weather keeps the suet from softening and going bad. Suet needs to be monitored and exchanged if it shows any signs of discoloring or melting.
Birds that like suet
Chickadees, Crow, Robins, Nuthatches, Orioles, Wrens, and Woodpeckers
Sunflower Seeds
Sunflower seeds are common and easy to find in stores. They are a great source of fat and protein, both needed in winter.
There are several types of sunflowers. The black oiled sunflower seeds have a thinner hull which is easier for some species to eat.
Note that the birds don’t eat the hull or outside shell. These fall to the ground when the bird seeks out the inside seed. This can become messy.
You can also purchase the seeds without a hull to save on the mess. They will not stay fresh as long.
Birds that like sunflower seeds
American Goldfinch, Brown thrasher, Doves, Sparrows
Thistle (Nyjer)
Thistle seeds are small and thin. They may also be labeled nyjer seeds.
They require a specialized feeder to hold them so they don’t scatter everywhere. Thistle feeders are tube-shaped and have mesh sides.
Birds that like thistle
Finches, Junco, Siskin, Sparrows
This Cooper’s Hawk appreciates a drink too! Admire his strength and beauty and make sure you have hiding places for your songbirds to escape to. Photo by Manny Becarra
Water
No, it’s not food but it’s the most important thing on this list. Dehydration kills faster than starvation.
Birds need water to drink and bathe in. Keeping their feathers clean also helps them to stay warm.
A bird bath is a great addition to your yard. You can purchase a bird bath or make your own.
Tips for bird baths:
The water should gradually get deeper from the edge to the middle.
No more than 2 inches deep.
Birds like water movement. A small solar fountain is a great addition.
Texture to help them keep their footing such as small smooth rocks.
Elevated bird baths help keep birds safe.
Heated bird baths are great for winter but must be near to an outdoor plug.
Some inexpensive bird baths Ideas
Turn a clean metal garbage can lid upside down. Secure with some rocks and fill with water.
Terra Cotta makes a great non-slip bird bath. Turn a 10-inch or larger terra cotta pot upside down and place the lid on top as the bath.
Salvage an old metal porch chair and place a shallow bowl on the seat.
Take a glass pot lid and hand it upside down from a tree with a macrame plant hanger.
Place a shallow bowl on a tree stump.
What Foods Are Best During a Winter Ice Storm?
In winter birds are burning more calories to keep warm. They appreciate foods that are high in fat.
Suet, black oil sunflower seeds, and cracked corn are all good.
WhAt Should You Never Feed birds?
There are several things that are harmful to birds and should be avoided.
Bread - see our article on Kentucky Ducks for an explantion
Salt
Food scraps
Milk or cheese
Ame Vanorio is the founder of Fox Run and is currently working to identify and spot the 45 waterfowl species in Wisconsin.
I will be the first person to tell you that helping wildlife is a good thing. However, there is a right way to go about helping your wild neighbors.
Wildlife has a harder time finding food in winter and dealing with the cold and snow. In addition, humans have often destroyed habitat and resources that allow them to forage throughout the year.