{"id":59478,"date":"2024-01-03T17:47:21","date_gmt":"2024-01-03T23:47:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/platthillnursery.com\/?p=59478"},"modified":"2024-01-03T17:50:38","modified_gmt":"2024-01-03T23:50:38","slug":"winter-bird-feeding-in-chicago","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/platthillnursery.com\/winter-bird-feeding-in-chicago\/","title":{"rendered":"The Art of Winter Bird Feeding in Chicago"},"content":{"rendered":"

Attracting birds over the long term involves slowly transforming your landscape into a thriving, bird-friendly habitat, complete with the plant varieties they rely on for food and shelter.<\/em><\/h4>\n

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Feeding the wild birds in your neighborhood is a great way to form a relationship with them. If you do it right, you can provide them with high-quality food during the coldest part of the year, making your yard a part of their daily route. Here are the essential do\u2019s and don’ts of winter bird feeding, including advice on the best seeds, placement, maintenance, and more!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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1. Feathered Friends: Identifying Local Winter Birds<\/b><\/h3>\n

Identifying and observing the native bird species that visit our backyards can be an incredibly rewarding daily or weekly practice. During a Chicago winter, the Northern Cardinal visits us with its brilliant red plumage, a stunning contrast against the snow-covered backdrop, while dark-eyed Juncos, small and gray, are like winter’s ballet dancers as they hop and flutter about. You should also keep an eye out for the energetic Black-Capped Chickadee, its distinctive black cap and cheerful song adding a touch of winter magic to our Chicagoland landscapes. The American Goldfinch, which, though not as flashy, still sports a subtle charm with its olive-brown feathers. House sparrows, Pine Siskins, Nuthatches, Blue Jays, and American Tree Sparrows are other common visitors.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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2. The Best Bird Feeders for the Chicago Area<\/b><\/h3>\n

Not all birds feed the same way: some like to eat off the ground, while others prefer to browse trees, shrubs, and cones for seeds. Understanding how different birds like to eat helps us create a diverse offering of feeders that caters to many different species. Here are the feeding preferences of a few common birds native to Illinois:<\/span><\/p>\n

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Northern Cardinal<\/em><\/h3>\n

Preferred Feeder Type:<\/b> Platform feeders or tray feeders.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cardinals are ground feeders by nature, and they prefer a flat surface where they can easily perch and access seeds, making platform or tray feeders the perfect options for them.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Black-capped Chickadee<\/em><\/h3>\n

Preferred Feeder Type:<\/b> Hanging feeders or tube feeders.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chickadees are agile and acrobatic birds, meaning they’re comfortable clinging to the sides of hanging feeders or perching on smaller perches found on tube feeders.<\/span><\/p>\n

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American Goldfinch<\/em><\/h3>\n

Preferred Feeder Type:<\/b> Tube feeders with small perches.<\/span><\/p>\n

Goldfinches are small and lightweight, and they prefer feeders with perches suitable for their size. Tube feeders with small openings prevent larger birds from dominating the feeding space, ensuring these beauties get a spot at the table.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Dark-eyed Junco<\/em><\/h3>\n

Preferred Feeder Type:<\/b> Ground feeders or platform feeders.<\/span><\/p>\n

Juncos typically forage for seeds on the ground, so they prefer lower-lying feeders. A platform feeder near shrubs or low-growing trees provides an ideal feeding spot for these ground-loving birds.<\/span><\/p>\n

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3. Do’s and Don’ts of Winter Bird Feed<\/b><\/h3>\n

Black-oil sunflower seeds are the healthiest and most loved food for a variety of winter bird species, with nyjer seeds, often referred to as thistle seeds, coming in at a close second. Raw, plain peanuts are another healthy choice and are a favorite of larger birds. Suet, a mixture of animal fat and other ingredients, is a winter superhero, providing the essential fats that many energetic bird species need to combat the cold.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Steer clear of seed mixes containing fillers such as milo, barley, wheat, and cracked corn. At best, these go untouched and create unnecessary waste. At worst, they provide empty calories and unhealthy food for our beloved birds.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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4. Do’s and Don’ts of Using a Bird Feeder\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

Properly placing and maintaining your bird feeders is crucial for a successful winter bird buffet. Here are some essential tips to follow:\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n