Winter transforms our backyards. They're snowy, they're cold. For birds, it’s the most energy-demanding time of year. Short days, long nights, freezing temperatures, open water turned to ice… everything about winter asks birds to work harder simply to survive.
And this is exactly why your feeders matter so much right now.
When natural food sources become buried or depleted, high-quality seed and suet can make a meaningful difference for winter birds. But not all foods provide the same benefits. Below is a simple guide to help you choose the right foods for the right birds during the coldest part of the year.
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| Evening Grosbeak. Photo by Shayna Hartley. |
Black Oil Sunflower: The Winter Workhorse
If you only offer one food in winter, let it be this.
Why it matters:
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High in fat
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Easy to crack open (even in freezing temperatures)
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Attracts a huge variety of species
Who eats it:
Chickadees, cardinals, nuthatches, woodpeckers, sparrows, finches, jays. A true crowd-pleaser.
Pro tip:
Choose Sunflower chips if you want zero mess and higher efficiency (no shells means more calories per bite).
Peanuts: High-Energy Fuel for Cold Days
Winter birds burn calories rapidly, especially overnight. Peanuts are like instant energy bars, they're packed with fat and protein.
Who loves them:
Blue Jays, woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, and even some winter finches.
Why they shine in winter:
Peanuts stay highly palatable even in deep freezes and give small birds a big energy payoff fast.
Pro tip:
Try offering peanuts in a Peanut Wreath.
Bark Butter®: A Winter Magnet
Bark Butter® is one of the easiest foods to offer and attracts species that rarely visit feeders, especially Brown Creepers and woodpeckers.
You can smear it onto:
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tree trunks
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deck posts
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bark feeders
It’s versatile, high in fat, and irresistible to clinging species.
Nyjer® & Finch Blend: For Winter Finches
Nyjer® seed shines in winter for its high fat content and its ability to stay fresh if kept dry.
Who it attracts:
Pine Siskins, American Goldfinches, Common Redpolls, and other winter finches.
If you’re hoping for finches this season (and with this year’s forecast, many of us are), offering Nyjer® in a clean mesh or tube feeder is your best bet.
Don’t Forget Water: Heated Bird Baths are Life Savers
A winter seed guide wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the most critical “food source” of all: open water.
Birds need water for drinking and preening, and snow is not an efficient replacement. Birds expend a lot of energy consuming snow. Eating snow requires much more energy for birds than drinking water as the birds body has to melt the snow and replace the lost heat.
A heated bird bath can attract more species than any feeder this time of year.
There is something uniquely peaceful about watching birds make use of the food and shelter we provide in the coldest months. Whether you’re a long-time feeder or just starting out, winter is the perfect season to make your backyard a refuge.
Stay warm, stay curious, and may your feeders stay wonderfully busy. 💛
Warmly,
Heather
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