Help Birds Survive Winter & Attract New Visitors by Offering High-fat Foods
This time of year, many of us make New Year's resolutions to lose a few pounds. Birds do just the opposite! They resolve to add some extra body weight to help them survive the rigors of the season.
For birds, fat is fuel. It is the most concentrated energy source that a bird can consume and it is the only dietary component that is absorbed completely intact by their body. Stored body fat is the primary energy supply that fuels a bird throughout the winter.
During winter, birds must use more energy to endure colder days and longer hours of darkness at night. This energy must be replenished each day. Songbirds may use up to 75-80% of their fat reserves during a single winter’s night. The daily challenge is to find enough food to make it through each day and to replace their fat reserves for the coming night -- all in the course of limited daylight hours.
Even in areas lacking bitter temperatures, the most overlooked winter survival challenge for birds is having to endure the long period of darkness during the night. While roosting, a small songbird needs to sustain itself for 13-15 hours, solely by using its fat reserves for fuel.
Have you noticed how ravenously the birds eat at your bird feeders during the winter, especially first thing in the morning and just before dusk? Your birds are probably taking full advantage of the high-fat foods you are offering to quickly replenish their much needed fat reserves.
You can make a difference for the birds and attract a variety of new visitors by adding a reliable source of high-fat foods such as:
Nest Boxes
Yes, nesting season is just around the corner. A new generation of birds will soon be entering the world. For birds that use nesting boxes (think bluebirds, wrens, titmice, etc.), it is important that they are made from high quality materials that will help insulate the youngsters from extreme cold or heat. Proper drainage and ventilation are a must and the box has to be easy to clean in preparation for the next tenant. Nesting boxes should also be specifically designed for the type of bird that is likely to make your yard its home and they should be placed in a location that is safe and enticing.
WBU has a complete line a high quality nest boxes to help get you started, including our environmentally-friendly EcoTough boxes that are made from recycled milk jugs.