As I sit inside and look outside during these freezing temperatures I wonder how the chickadee birds can stay warm and still have something to chirp about. Those skinny little legs on the birds look as if they would freeze instantly. Birds have different ways to stay warm when temperatures get cold. When you watch the chickadees they fluff up their plumage to trap the air which acts an insulating blanket, and then they hide their legs in their breast feathers to keep warm. Food and energy is very important for a birds survival over the winter as they need to keep their metabolism up. Shelter from the elements such as trees and shrubs is also needed for a birds survival.
Bird watching is an enjoyable hobby for many of us, and by planting trees and shrubs in the landscape and putting out feeders, you can attract birds to your backyard as well as help them. There are different types and sizes of bird feeders available such as platform, silo, hopper, etc, as well as different types of bird feed. Having different feeders and feed available will attract a larger variety of birds. A favourite food for the chickadees is the black oiled sunflower seeds. They are smaller sized then the larger black/white striped seeds and are high in protein and fat, and contain twice as many calories then the striped seeds. If you want less waste due to the empty shells then the sunflower kernels are ideal because they are the sunflower seeds that have been shelled. You can also set out peanuts and nuts or a mixed blend of seeds for the birds. Whatever you choose, make sure that the quality is there, because you don't want to pay for empty fillers. Suet is another high energy food for the birds. Suet consists of fat and can be mixed with berries, nuts etc and is purchased in square blocks. These blocks fit into wire mesh containers that hang and the birds cling onto the mesh and eat the suet.
When placing out bird feeders keep them high enough that predators such as cats, dogs, and other wildlife cannot attack the birds when they are feeding. Placing the feeders near trees and shrubs also works as the birds can fly back to their shelter. To prevent birds from hitting walls and windows place them several meters away from windows and walls. To keep the birds healthy, the feeders should be cleaned periodically to prevent diseases from spreading and also you want to remove the old seeds that can become mouldy and produce toxins. There is a line of birdhouses available that are called 'Green Solutions' which are at garden centres, and these are made with 98% recycled plastics and are easy to take apart and are dishwasher safe. There are several different models available. Sometimes when you are feeding the birds you may get other visitors such as squirrels. There are bird feeders available such as the squirrel buster that prevents the squirrels from eating out of the feeders. If you want to feed the squirrels you can place peanuts out for them as they really enjoy these, but again you want to make sure the feeders are out of reach from cats, dogs, and other wildlife.
We really enjoy feeding the birds in our own backyard. It is an easy and enjoyable hobby and the birds really enjoy it. For added fun, get a bird book and have a camera near by so that you can take pictures and practice identifying the different types of birds that come to your feeders!
