Feeding birds in winter can be a joy to watch, especially if your garden or outdoor space attracts beautiful birds During the cold season, feathered birds become dependent on the feeder to survive as food is scarce during the winter months

Feeding birds in the winter seems so simple, but there are a few important things to keep in mind Understanding the foods that will benefit the health and well-being of your birds during the winter months can make all the difference

Furthermore, feeding the wrong kind of food can seriously harm a bird's health and, in the worst case, can be fatal This is why it is so important to know what foods are safe to feed feathered birds this winter

We have put together a helpful guide to feeding backyard birds in the winter and how to encourage them to feed again

It is helpful to keep track of the types of birds that visit your yard This will help you decide what type of food to put in the feeder In general, the most popular winter birds are woodpeckers, sparrows, tits, jays, woodpeckers, chickadees, and cardinals However, this depends on your location and climate

As strange as it may sound, eggshells are incredibly healthy for birds because of the high calcium content in them Female birds, in particular, need more calcium to make eggshells

Simply wash the eggshells well and bake them in a 450ºF oven for 10 minutes Let them cool, then crush them and add them to the bird's table or feeder

Water is just as important to bird health as the best bird food for the feeder Filling birdbaths with fresh water will keep them hydrated and help them store energy However, when temperatures drop below freezing, it may be worth considering a heated birdbath to prevent the water from freezing or freezing

Remember to clean birdbaths regularly to remove fallen leaves and dirt that can cause bacteria Bird feeders and feeding areas should be similarly kept in good overall hygiene Also, bird feeders that are not cleaned will only attract rodents and foxes, which will disturb the birds

Bird tables are a great option, but you can also use bird feeders that can be hung from poles or trees or mounted on the wall Just be sure to place the feeder in an open area and make sure it is high enough to protect it from predators

Why spend a fortune on a bird feeder when you can make your own? Here are two bird feeders that you can easily make yourself

Coconut-shell feeders

Coconut-shell feeders can be made from protein-rich suet and seed Punch a hole in the coconut shell and make a loop with a tying band

Next, melt 1 cup of lard or suet in a saucepan and mix 2 cups of bird seed into it Once all the shells are filled, leave them to harden for one hour When it is done, hang it on a tree and you have a homemade bird feeder!

Pine Cone Feeder

Another method is to use pine cones scattered around the yard Take dried pine cones and fill the gaps with lard, suet, peanut butter, etc Then the pine cones are rolled in a mixture of bird seed Attach string to the pinecones and hang them from a tree or branch