17 Foods To Feed Backyard Birds This Winter – The Ultimate Winter Bird Feeding Guide!
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Winter will be here before you know it! And it’s during this time your visiting songbirds need your help the most. Because in the winter, many of the bird’s natural food sources, like insects, fruit, berries, nuts, and seeds, are scarce. That’s why feeding backyard birds in the winter is a great way to help them survive the colder months.
The only trouble is deciding the best food to feed your winter birds. But no worries. We’ve compiled a list of 17 foods that can nourish your avian visitors over the chilly winter.
Sound fun?
Then let’s feed them together!
17 Best Foods To Feed Your Backyard Birds Over Winter
We feed our backyard birds (like goldfinches, robins, chickadees, titmice, and cardinals) various foods over winter, such as seeds, fruits, nuts, and corn. Of all the snacks we offer them, the 17 below are their favorites.
1. Pumpkin Seeds
I love offering pumpkin seeds to our backyard birds. It’s the perfect way to recycle any leftover Halloween pumpkins. I roast them first, and jays and chickadees can never get enough.
- Attracts: Pumpkin seeds are favorites of blue jays, chickadees, nuthatches, and woodpeckers.
- Nutrients: They pack lots of protein and fat.
- Instructions: Offer roasted and unsalted seeds on a platform feeder or mixed with other seeds.
We’re happy seeing our leftover pumpkins put to good use. And the birds are always thankful!
2. Millet
We often sprinkle millet on the ground for the sparrows and juncos gathering near our feeders. Watching them hop around and peck at the seeds is a fun winter pastime. Millet is great because it gives them easy-to-digest carbs and energy to stay warm.
- Attracts: Sparrows, juncos, doves, and quail love millet.
- Nutrients: Contains carbohydrates, protein, and fiber.
- Instructions: Scatter on the ground or use a low platform feeder. Avoid using in-tube feeders.
Millet feeds the hungry sparrows and reminds us that even the smallest seeds can sustain life.
Read More – 17+ Epic Owl Breeds You Might Find In Your Backyard This Winter. Let’s Go Owl Watching!
3. Nyjer (Thistle) Seeds
I know it’s time to fill the Nyjer feeder whenever I see goldfinches flitting around. These tiny seeds are like candy to them. They often visit our yard in large flocks just for a taste. Having these yellow birds visit helps brighten up any dreary winter day. We welcome the charm! (Charm is the name for a group of goldfinches!)
- Attracts: Goldfinches, house finches, pine siskins, and redpolls.
- Nutrients: Rich in oils and fats, both essential for energy.
- Instructions: Use a specially designed Nyjer feeder with small openings to prevent seed loss.
One weird thing about Nyjer seeds is that they are tiny. They’re way smaller than peanuts, cracked corn, or black oil sunflower seeds. Their mini size is why you need a specialized Nyjer feeder to prevent spillage. You can also offer them in a small bowl.
4. Safflower Seeds
Safflower seeds are our secret weapon against squirrels, as they’re not fond of the bitter taste. But the cardinals love them. It’s a win-win! We get happy birds and fewer squirrel invasions.
- Attracts: Safflower seeds attract cardinals, chickadees, finches, grosbeaks, and titmice.
- Nutrients: High in protein, fat, and fiber.
- Instructions: Offer in tube feeders, hopper feeders, or platform feeders.
With safflower seeds, we find an ingenious peace that keeps the clever squirrels at bay and lets the cardinals reign in crimson.
5. Dried Fruit
When I have dried fruit left over from holiday baking, I share it with the birds. Robins and bluebirds swoop down to grab these treats hungrily. It feels like I’m giving them the last taste of summer. Plus, it’s a great way to use extras that might otherwise go to waste.
- Attracts: Robins, waxwings, bluebirds, and mockingbirds.
- Nutrients: Rich in vitamins, sugars, and fiber.
- Instructions: Soak in water to rehydrate before offering or combine with seed mixes. Use in a platform feeder.
Dried raisins, cranberries, apricots, figs, and bananas work perfectly as a yummy bird snack. Your birds will gobble them up fast!
Read More – Our All-In-One Guide To Winter Greenhouse Gardening!
6. Apple Slices
It’s fun to slice a fresh apple and watch the robins and mockingbirds swoop in for a taste. I’ll hang the slices from branches, and soon enough, the birds will appear, ready to enjoy the yummy fruit. It’s a simple and natural way to keep them fed during the cold months.
- Attracts: Robins, thrushes, mockingbirds, and cedar waxwings.
- Nutrients: Provides natural sugars, vitamins, and fiber.
- Instructions: Place on a platform feeder or attach slices to tree branches using string.
Sliced apples aren’t the snazziest bird food idea on this list. But birds always gobble them up with vigor. Top the apple with a dash of peanut butter for an enhanced treat.
7. Black Oil Sunflower Seeds
Nearly all birds love sunflower seeds! They’re easily one of the best ways to attract various species to your backyard feeders. Everyone shows up when these seeds are on the menu, including finches, blue jays, woodpeckers, and doves. It’s like throwing a party and inviting everyone!
- Attracts: Cardinals, chickadees, doves, titmice, finches, jays, robins, nuthatches, and more.
- Nutrients: High in fat and protein. They provide a superb source of essential energy.
- Instructions: Use in tube feeders, hopper feeders, or platform feeders. You can also scatter them on the ground.
I toss handfuls of sunflower seeds alongside the feeders perched high in a tree. They quickly become homing beacons for life amid the cold, wintry landscape.
8. Grains
Grains (like cracked wheat, quinoa, and barley) might not be glamorous. But many birds will snack on them if offered, especially in winter. I sprinkle some in a dish, and all the traditional seed-eaters come by to help themselves. Knowing I’m helping them get a big energy boost feels good, especially when it’s cold outside.
- Attracts: I’ve noticed that most seed-eating birds will also browse the grains bowl. (Or feeder.)
- Nutrients: Grains aren’t a primary food source. But the birds love it as a snack. It’s also a great energy source.
- Instructions: Place in a shallow dish on the ground or near feeders. (You can also fill an extra feeder alongside your seed feeder!)
You can also mix grains into your traditional seed mixes to make them stretch a little further. Whatever you do, never feed spoiled grains to your birds. It can make them sick or worse.
Read More – Here’s How To Keep Your Backyard Chickens Warm During Winter!
9. Homemade Bird Cakes
Making homemade birdcakes is a fun winter project for everyone. You can mix up suet, seeds, and dried fruits. It’s like a holiday treat for the birds, and the woodpeckers and chickadees go crazy for them. Plus, it’s a great way to involve the kids when helping your feathered friends!
- Attracts: Woodpeckers, nuthatches, cardinals, chickadees, and wrens.
- Nutrients: Rich in fat, protein, and calories.
- Instructions: First, combine suet, seeds, nuts, and dried fruit. Then, mold it into shapes. Afterward, hang them from trees or place them on platform feeders.
These homemade cakes are our best winter’s offering. They’re a small labor of love that mixes sustenance with care, just as nature intended.
(PS – Here is one of our favorite and easy-to-follow bird seed and bird cake recipes. Give it a try. We bet your neighborhood birds will love it!)
10. Suet
Whenever it’s cold, I put out fresh bird suet cages. It’s incredible how quickly the birds find them! The nuthatches and woodpeckers are the first to arrive, hammering away at the fat-rich suet. It’s one of the best treats for giving them the energy they need to survive the chilly nights.
- Attracts: Woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, brown creepers, and wrens.
- Nutrients: High in fat. They provide essential energy for the cold weather.
- Instructions: Use in a suet feeder or cage. Hang from tree branches or attach to a pole.
Bird suet is always a welcome feast and a nourishing refuge against the frost.
11. Cracked Corn
I scatter cracked corn under the feeders for the doves and juncos. They spend hours pecking away at it. It’s (mostly) affordable, and the birds love it, so I always have plenty on hand. If you have wild ducks or turkeys nearby, they also love to stop and join the banquet!
- Attracts: Sparrows, juncos, doves, quail, and pheasants. (Also, wild turkeys or ducks.)
- Nutrients: Contains carbohydrates, protein, and some fat.
- Instructions: You can scatter the cracked corn on the ground or use a ground feeder. You can also put it in a small tree feeder, but then ducks and turkeys can’t get it.
One of the only problems with cracked corn is that mice, squirrels, chipmunks, and rats love eating it. So, if you have rodent issues in your homestead, stick to an elevated feeder.
Read More – 17 Stunning Winter Plants That Grow Wonderfully In Pots!
12. Cracked Peanuts
Peanuts are like gold to birds. And, I’ve found that offering them cracked makes it easier for more species to enjoy them. The woodpeckers and jays dive right in! They swoop in and quickly dart off with their prize. It’s a real treat for them and a joy for us to watch!
- Attracts: Woodpeckers, titmice, nuthatches, chickadees, and jays love cracked peanuts.
- Nutrients: High in protein and fat. They offer significant energy.
- Instructions: Use mesh feeders designed for peanuts or scatter on platform feeders.
Cracked peanuts are regular peanuts broken into smaller pieces. This cracking process makes it much easier for smaller birds to eat them. We also feed whole peanuts to our birds, which we’ll discuss in a moment.
13. Birdseed Mixes
Birdseed mixes are one of my favorite foods for feeding winter birds. They offer something for everyone! I’ve seen cardinals, chickadees, and even the occasional woodpecker come to our feeder for a taste. It’s the easiest way to ensure we’re meeting the birds’ needs in our yard during the chilly winter.
- Attracts: A wide range of birds, depending on the mix.
- Nutrients: Varies but typically includes a mix of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.
- Instructions: Offer in tube feeders, hopper feeders, or platform feeders. Choose mixes with a high percentage of sunflower seeds.
One of the only problems with traditional birdseed mix is that it is surprisingly expensive. You can often lower costs by shopping for deals on cracked corn, black oil sunflower seeds, or peanuts.
14. Whole Peanuts And Peanut Butter
Whole peanuts bring out the blue jays like nothing else. I put out a handful in the morning, and they all go by the afternoon! Watching the jays carry them off to stash away for later is fun. You can also introduce a wee dollop of peanut butter, which many birds love.
- Attracts: Blue jays, woodpeckers, titmice, and nuthatches flock to peanuts in droves.
- Nutrients: High in protein and fat, excellent for energy.
- Instructions: Offer whole or shelled in a peanut feeder or on a platform feeder.
Pay close attention to nuthatches and blue jays if you feed your birds whole peanuts. These two species always swoop in, grab a peanut, and dart off. It makes me wonder if they have a top-secret stash of nuts. Only they know for sure!
15. Pine Nuts
I don’t always leave pine nuts out for the birds. But when I do, the nuthatches seem to know immediately. These birds must have pine nut radar. They love these little treats, and it’s a delight to see them flit around from branch to feeder. It’s like giving them a little gourmet snack!
- Attracts: Nuthatches, chickadees, and some woodpeckers.
- Nutrients: Rich in fats and protein.
- Instructions: Offer small amounts on platform feeders or mixed with other seeds.
Did you know humans can also eat pine nuts? They have a smooth, buttery texture. We think that’s why nuthatches love them so much. We don’t blame them. Luckily, we have plenty to share!
16. Mealworms
Offering mealworms to our bluebirds has made them regular visitors, even in the chilly autumn weather. I love watching them pick through the dish, knowing they’re getting the protein they need. It’s some extra work, but seeing those bright blue feathers contrasting the autumn colors is worth it!
- Attracts: Nearly all birds love mealworms – especially bluebirds, wrens, robins, and some warblers.
- Nutrients: High in protein and fat. They’re excellent for insectivorous birds.
- Instructions: Offer dried or live mealworms in a dish or shallow feeder. Keep them dry, and replace them regularly to prevent spoilage.
Mealworms are likely one of the most desirable wintertime foods for birds. They’re also one of the most expensive, so we only offer them occasionally. The birds appreciate every mealworm we offer, so it’s always worth our effort.
Read More – Here’s How To Improve Your Garden Soil Over Winter – And Year-Round!
17. Bread Crumbs
While I don’t rely on bread crumbs to nourish my winter birds, they’re helpful when running low on other food. Sparrows and doves will peck at them, and it’s better than letting them go to waste. Just a little here and there, and the birds seem content!
- Attracts: Bread attracts sparrows, doves, and pigeons. Other birds will eat it, too.
- Nutrients: Limited nutritional value, primarily carbohydrates.
- Instructions: Offer sparingly in small amounts. Soak in water if dry to prevent choking hazards.
Breadcrumbs are another yummy ingredient that can help stretch traditional bird food mixes. It’s not the most nutrient-dense food for birds, not by a longshot. But it’s one of the easiest to come by and is super affordable. And it’s 100% better than nothing! (Especially if you mix it with high-protein goodies like peanuts and sunflower seeds.)
Conclusion
Thanks for reading about the best food ingredients to feed winter birds! We try our best to help our friendly garden visitors survive all seasons, especially winter when other food is scarce.
What about you?
- Do you feed your birds in winter?
- Do you agree that black oil sunflower seeds, mealworms, and cracked corn are excellent bird food for winter?
- What’s the most unique backyard bird you’ve ever seen?
- Do you have squirrels and chipmunks visiting your yard, too? Or only birds?
- Are there any little-known bird treats that we forgot to mention?
We hope all bird fanciers chime in!
Thanks again for reading.
Have a great day!
