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A well-stocked bird feeder can bring a surprising amount of activity to Northern Virginia yards during winter, with as many as 15 to 20 species visiting in a single day.
The action often reveals how different birds behave. Carolina chickadees, measuring just four to five inches long, may wait for larger and more aggressive visitors such as nine-inch red-bellied woodpeckers. Tufted titmice may compete for food despite their smaller size. White-breasted nuthatches sometimes eat upside down, while wintering dark-eyed juncos and year-round mourning doves gather fallen seeds from the ground.
About 60 million Americans feed birds at home. The practice can support birds as habitat disappears and populations decline. North America has lost an estimated 3 billion birds since 1970, according to the National Audubon Society.
Winter can be especially difficult because many natural foods are unavailable or buried by snow. Feeders help, but Cornell University experts say birds still obtain about three-quarters of their diet elsewhere.
Food, Water and Shelter
Birds are most likely to visit properties that provide food, water and protection. A birdbath can attract additional species, while nearby evergreens, trees and brush piles offer places to hide, rest and watch a feeder before approaching.
Black oil sunflower seed is a strong all-purpose choice for seed-eating birds because it is rich in fat and has a thin shell. Sunflower hearts, nyjer and safflower seeds, suet and nuts can attract a broader mix of visitors.
Natural food should also remain available through winter. Native dogwoods, hollies, cedars, Virginia creeper, sassafras, sumacs and American bittersweet can provide berries and fruit. Seeds from summer flowers feed ground-foraging birds, while fallen leaves harbor insects, seeds and nuts.
Dried squash and melon seeds can also be saved for birds. Species that do not rely heavily on seed may visit for water-soaked raisins or currants, or thawed frozen berries placed on a dish.
Choosing a Safe Feeder Location
A feeder should be easy to see from indoors and convenient to refill. Trees and shrubs can provide nearby cover, but feeders should be far enough from vegetation to prevent squirrels or cats from jumping onto them. Brush piles can offer birds an emergency escape route.
Windows pose another serious concern. More than 1 billion birds die in window collisions across the United States each year, according to the Northern Virginia Bird Alliance. Birds can mistake reflections of trees and plants for open space.
Homes and other buildings between one and three stories account for 44% of those deaths. Buildings from four to 11 stories cause most of the remaining fatalities. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology recommends positioning feeders at least 30 feet from windows.
Keep Feeding Areas Clean
Feeders and the ground beneath them require regular cleaning because accumulated bacteria can spread disease, particularly as temperatures rise. Feeders should be washed about twice a week with mild soap and water, rinsed thoroughly and allowed to dry.
Seed should be kept in a tightly sealed, dry container—preferably one made of metal—to protect it from moisture, disease and rodents.
Birds also need clean drinking water. A birdbath less than two inches deep gives them room to drink and fluff their feathers. The water should be replaced daily, and the bath should be scrubbed weekly.
Larry Meade, president of the Northern Virginia Bird Club, said feeders help people enjoy and connect with local birds. Programs including Project FeederWatch and the Great Backyard Bird Count also allow feeder watchers to contribute useful bird-population data. The backyard count is scheduled for Feb. 14 through 17.