Did you know that one of the most important times of all to feed birds is in the fall? Not only can it help overwintering birds prepare for the long winter ahead – it can also help hungry migratory birds who are passing through on their way to their winter destination!
Fall is a scarce time for birds searching for their next meal. Unlike in the summer and spring when food sources from perennials, bushes and trees are more than plentiful, in late autumn, many of those sources of nutrition are long gone.
The same goes for all of the beetles, crickets, worms and other insects that birds dine on as well. Although there may still be some around, they are certainly not in large enough numbers to be a steady diet for birds.
The bad news for birds is the reduction in available food couldn’t come at a worse time. Migrating birds need to find high energy nutrition to fuel their flights to warmer locations. And if they don’t, many simply perish on the route.
As for those birds who stay through the long winter months up north, they need to fatten up as well to prepare their bodies for the upcoming frigid cold – which is exactly why fall feeding can be so helpful!
How To Feed Birds In The Fall – The Best Feed To Get Birds Ready For Winter!
Keeping bird feeders stocked in the fall and through winter is truly one of the best things you can do to help birds have the best chance of winter survival. Believe it or not, a large number of birds perish over the winter season every year. Not just from hunger – but also from frigid temperatures.
Birds need a fair amount of body fat and fuel to keep warm. They use food not just for energy to fly and survive, but also to keep warm when the temperature plummets.
Unlike squirrels and many other overwintering species, birds do not store up food. Instead, they often fly out each day to find the food they need for energy to handle another cold night. Which, of course, is exactly why keeping your feeders filled with high energy food sources can be extremely helpful.
With that in mind, here is a look at some of the best options when it comes to fall and winter feeding.
The Best Feed Sources For Birds In The Fall
When feeding birds throughout the fall and winter, one of the most important tasks of all is to stay consistent with your feeding. Keeping feeders stocked with food allows nearby birds to rely on a constant source of energy and nutrition.
Unfortunately, allowing them to go empty often or for long periods of time can leave birds struggling to survive. Especially ones that became used to a food source helping them.
The best method for feeding is to start with a good, regular bird seed blend – and then add in more of the high energy seeds and feeds to supplement. Affiliate Link: Wagner’s Eastern Regional Wild Bird Food Blend, 20-Pound Bag
This can do wonders to help birds fuel up, warm up, and stay healthy through the long fall and winter months. In addition to a well balanced bird feed mix, here are some of the best choices to add to the mix to really power it up for fall and winter feeding:
Cracked Corn
One thing is for sure, it can get expensive feeding birds! But when it comes to an option that is fairly cost-friendly, cracked corn tops the list. Cracked corn is a high carbohydrate food source for birds. It also happens to be inexpensive when compared to many of the other feed choices for birds.
An added plus is that the smaller portions of cracked corn are enjoyed by a wide variety of birds – including cardinals, blue jays, sparrows, blackbirds and grosbeaks. Affiliate Feed Link: Wagner’s Cracked Corn Wild Bird Food
When feeding cracked corn, be sure to not only put it in feeders but on the ground as well. There are a fair number of bird species that won’t feed from a feeder, but love scavenging food from below.
Black Oil Sunflower Seeds – The Best Feed Sources For Birds In The Fall
Without a doubt, black oil sunflower seeds are at the top of the list for both fall and winter feeding. Not only are they high in fat and protein, they also are loved by a wide variety of birds such as cardinals, chickadees and more.
Regular striped sunflower seeds are also a good option and do contain a fair amount of nutrients, but it’s best to include black oil when feeding late in the season. Affiliate Seed Link: Wagner’s 76027 Black Oil Sunflower Wild Bird Food, 25-Pound Bag
Millet – The Best Feed Sources For Birds In The Fall
Millet is another great choice for fall feeding. The seed of a grassy grain crop, millet is often included in quite a few commercial bird feeds. It is perfect for sprinkling on the ground as many ground feeding birds such as sparrows and starlings love it.
The tiny round seeds are extremely rich in carbohydrates. They are great for providing a fast source of energy for birds looking to stay warm through the winter months. Affiliate Product Link: Olympus Myco White Proso Millet Seeds for Birds – 10 lbs
Nyjer/Thistle Seeds – The Best Feed Sources For Birds In The Fall
These two tiny seeds are wonderful for winter feeding. Although sometimes thought to be one and the same, nyjer and thistle seeds are similar but are indeed two separate seeds from two different plants. But what they both offer birds is high energy nutrition!
Both seed types are very high in oil and fat. That can be a huge plus for goldfinches, chickadees and other birds looking for quick doses of energy.
Safflower Seeds- The Best Feed Sources For Birds In The Fall
Safflower seeds are another great choice for high fat and protein content. The plant is actually an herb but its thistle like seeds are full of all kinds of energy for birds trying to handle the winter.
It is a favorite choice for cardinals, grosbeaks and chickadees and is wonderful for adding to bird feed mixes for fall and winter feeding – or for anytime for that matter! Affiliate Seed Link: Armstrong Wild Bird Food Safflower Bird Seed
Here is to powering up your fall and winter bird feeding this year. And even more, to helping our feathered friends prepare and handle whatever winter brings their way. For more on fall and winter bird care, see our article: The Best Bird Feeders To Use In Winter – How To Feed Birds Better When It’s Cold!
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