Last week while it was so cold and everything was covered with ice, I noticed the small birds in my backyard as they searched so diligently for something to eat. I felt sorry for them, because they seemed to be so cold with their feathers fluffed up for added insulation and seemed to spend much more time trying to stay warm than trying to find something to eat.

Many of us like to watch birds in our backyard. We see many different species during the spring and summer. Most of these birds are migratory; they move further south during the winter in order to escape the harsh weather and to locate the foods they need to survive. They will return during the spring and start building nests and raising their young.

We often fail to realize what a hardship the winter is for so many of the birds that remain in our area throughout the year. Unfortunately, research has shown that almost one-half of the birds born during the summer do not live past the first year. Some of them fall prey to predators, but many of them die during the winter because of harsh weather or the lack of food.

Although we seem to get more enjoyment in watching and feeding birds during the summer when they are much more active, we should devote much more attention to feeding and providing for our feathered friends during the winter when they really need our help.

As the Christmas season approaches, along with some of our most severe weather, let me suggest you construct a Christmas tree for any birds that may venture into your backyard. This will be an even more enjoyable project if you involve your children, grandchildren, or just the neighborhood children.

Cut out one quarter of an orange, and then hollow out the inside. Fill the inside with birdseed and hang on a tree limb. Assorted sizes of pine cones can be smeared with peanut butter and then rolled in birdseed before hanging on the tree.

Use a thin, sharp needle to thread popcorn into short sections or cord like we used to use on our own Christmas trees. Stale popcorn strings a lot better than fresh popcorn, and the birds like it just as well. You can also string raw peanuts, cranberries, and dried fruits for high energy treats for the birds. You can use assorted colors of cord to give your tree more color, and leave it in the tree for the birds to collect next spring to make their nests.

Cookie cutters can be used to trace seasonal patterns onto cardboard. The larger the cookie cutter the better. Cut out the shapes, smear the cardboard with peanut butter and either sprinkle with birdseed or press into a platter containing birdseed. Be sure to attach the cardboard securely to the tree so that you don't create a lot of litter in your backyard. You can also use toasted bread to do this, but the shapes aren't as pretty, and if it rains, the bread will easily break apart.

Wire or stout cord can be tied around ears of corn which can then be hung from the tree. Even when the corn is eaten from the cob, the cob can be recycled by smearing with peanut butter or leftover kitchen grease and rolling in birdseed.

You can even string a variety of cereals that will provide nutritious food for the birds. Of course, those cereals that are shaped like Os are much easier to string. Most birds even like stale doughnuts and bagels, so if you ever have leftover baked items, use them to feed the birds instead of throwing in the garbage.

If you or your children receive the clear plastic candy canes that come filled with candy, you should consider recycling the plastic part after the candy is eaten. Use a hot glue gun to attach a hooked wire on top of the cane and a sharp Exacto knife to make one-half inch slashes in the clear plastic. Fill the cane with birdseed and hang in the tree. Please do not assign this project to young children.

Many other items that come from our kitchens can be used to feed the birds. Raisins, nuts, and and even potato peelings are treats for some birds. But remember, different birds eat different kinds of foods. Some birds eat primarily seeds, some eat primarily suet, and others still try to find insects even during the winter. So provide a variety of treats for your birds.

Having access to clean water is just as important for the birds as having plenty to eat. Most birds in our area cannot survive more than two days without water. Under most conditions birds can find water fairly easily. But when the temperatures drop below freezing, they can find only ice, not water.

Tops of garbage cans, pie plates, and other items found around the house make good substitutes for bird baths. We don't have to be as concerned with the mosquito problem during the winter, so we can leave water in these containers for extended periods of time. If the temperatures do drop below freezing and stay below freezing during the day when the birds are searching for food and water, it is a good idea to remove the ice from the container and replace with fresh water.

There are many inexpensive books, and thousands of sites on the web, that provide much more information about feeding birds. I encourage you to make a special effort to provide feed and water for the birds this winter. They will have a difficult time surviving, even with your help.

E-mail address: Everett_Davis@ncsu.edu

Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 2280
Lumberton, NC 28359-2280

Phone: 910-671-3276
Fax: 910-671-6278

Date Created 1/03/03