Feed birds in winter: a comprehensive guide

Feeding birds in winter is one of the most popular forms of nature conservation in the home garden. Especially in the cold season, when natural food sources become scarce, proper bird feeding can help individual small birds to survive. But when is feeding really useful and what should you pay attention to?

This comprehensive guide shows you everything you need to know about species-appropriate winter feeding - from the right choice of food and the best time to feed to hygiene at the feeding site. At the same time, you will learn how you can not only help the birds with a well-designed feeding station, but also make valuable observations of nature.

Basics of winter feeding

When does it make sense to feed birds in winter?

In mild winters, birds usually find enough food. You should therefore only feed when there is permafrost and freezing rain or when there is a thick blanket of snow. Winter feeding should be seen as a supplement to natural foraging, not a substitute.

Supplementary feeding is particularly helpful in the following weather conditions:

• Permafrost for several days
• Closed snow cover
• Freezing rain that makes foraging difficult
• Extreme sub-zero temperatures

Which birds benefit from winter feeding?

Appropriate supplementary feeding in times of food shortage can help certain small birds in urban areas to survive, especially in the winter months. However, these are species that are not endangered in Switzerland and are adapted to our living conditions.

The most frequent visitors to winter feeders are

• Tits (great tit, blue tit, crested tit)
• Finches (chaffinch, greenfinch, goldfinch)
• Sparrows (house sparrow, tree sparrow)
• Robins
• Blackbirds and other thrushes
• Nuthatches
• Woodpeckers

Limits of winter feeding

Feeding in the garden rarely reaches more than ten to 15 bird species, namely mainly tits, finches, robins, house sparrows, great tits and blackbirds. Rare or endangered species, on the other hand, rarely visit feeders in residential areas. Maintaining intact habitats is far more important for the protection of endangered bird species than winter feeding.

The right time to feed birds

Start of the feeding period

Winter feeding should start in November at the earliest and end by the end of February at the latest. Preferably feed in the morning when the birds are hungry after a long night. Some food can be topped up in the afternoon so that the birds have enough food for the cold night.

Regularity is crucial

Because birds become accustomed to an existing food supply, it is important to provide food regularly throughout the winter. A one-off feeding in December is therefore not very useful. Once you have started, you should continue to provide food until the period of sub-zero temperatures is over.

Optimal feeding times

• Early in the morning: Main feeding time, as the energy requirement is highest after the cold night
• Afternoon: Small refill for the coming night
• In extreme weather conditions: More frequent checks and refills

Species-appropriate bird food for the winter

Grain eaters and their needs

Grain-eaters, the largest group of birds at the feeder, include species with thick, strong beaks such as finches and sparrows, as well as tits, nuthatches and woodpeckers. These birds prefer energy-rich, fatty food.

Ideal feed mixes for grain eaters:

• Sunflower seeds (especially dark ones with a softer shell)
• Hemp seeds
• Tit dumplings (use sparingly)
• Nuts (unsalted)

Feed soft food eaters

Soft feeders such as blackbirds, robins and other thrushes have different dietary requirements. They prefer:

• Oat flakes
• Dried berries (raisins)
• Ground nuts
• Chopped apples
• Dried mealworms

Food quality and origin

Make sure the food is of impeccable quality. This should correspond as closely as possible to the birds' natural diet; spices, leftovers or bread are therefore not included. For ecological reasons, you should avoid feed ingredients from distant countries such as palm oil, coconut oil or peanuts.

Prefer Swiss quality: Evaluations by Agroscope show that domestically produced bird feed is more likely to contain no ragweed seeds. It is therefore recommended to buy domestically produced bird food wherever possible.

Avoid problematic feed

Harmful foods

The following foods are unsuitable or even harmful for birds:

• Bread and baked goods (swell up in the stomach)
• Salted or spicy food
• Leftover food from humans
• Spoiled or moldy food
• Avocado (poisonous for birds)
• Chocolate (toxic)

Critical consideration of fat balls

New studies from England and Germany show that feeding tit dumplings and other highly fatty foods in winter and during the breeding season can significantly reduce the breeding success of tits. If you offer tit dumplings, then only sparingly and without plastic netting.

Set up the right feeding place

Choosing a location for the bird feeder

A well thought-out choice of location is crucial for the success of winter feeding:

Safety aspects:

• At least 2 meters away from dense bushes (cat protection)
• Escape options in the form of trees or bushes 2-3 meters away
• Sufficient distance from windows (at least 3 meters) to avoid collisions
• Elevated position, ideally 1.5-2 meters above the ground

Practical considerations:

• Protection from wind and weather
• Good visibility for observations
• Easy access for cleaning and refilling
• Cat-safe placement

Types of feeding stations

Bird feeders with roof:

• Protection from rain and snow
• Sufficiently large base area
• Easy to clean

Feed silos:

• More hygienic, as birds cannot defecate in the feed
• Feed stays dry for longer
• Even feed delivery

Hanging feeders:

• Cat-safe
• Space-saving
• Suitable for different types of food

Hygiene and health protection

Disease risks at feeding stations

The transmission of diseases is by far the greatest risk at feeding stations. Finches in particular are susceptible to parasites such as Trichomonas gallinae, which can lead to mass mortality.

Cleaning and hygiene measures

Daily care:

• Removal of bird droppings and food residues
• Check for sick or dead birds
• In wet weather: check and replace feed

Basic weekly cleaning:

• Thorough cleaning with hot water
• Complete drying before refilling
• Disinfection if required

Immediate measures in case of problems:

• If dead birds are found: Remove feeding place immediately
• Thorough cleaning and a 3 week break
• Reposition at another location

Water points in winter

Birds use waterholes all year round for bathing or drinking. In winter, they also eat snow to quench their thirst. Due to the risk of disease transmission, we advise only offering birds a watering hole if it can be cleaned daily and the water replaced at least once a day.

Making your own bird food

Basic recipe for high-energy feed mix

You can make a simple and nutritious feed mix yourself:

Ingredients:

• 2 parts beef tallow or vegetable fat
• 1 part wheat bran
• sunflower seeds
• Hemp seeds
• Chopped nuts

Preparation:

1. Slowly heat the fat until it is liquid
2. Stir in the bran and grain mixture
3. Pour into molds or shape around branches
4. Leave to harden and hang up

Feeding bells and cones

Homemade feeding bells are particularly popular with children:

• Coat pine cones with fat
• Roll in seed mixture
• Provide with string for hanging

Nature conservation beyond winter feeding

Year-round habitat improvement

The conservation of diverse and intact habitats, which also provide sufficient food for the insectivores among the birds in summer, is therefore a priority for the protection of species-rich birdlife.

Create natural food sources:

• Plant berry bushes (elderberry, hawthorn, dog rose)
• Leave seed heads in the fall
• Compost heaps as a source of insects
• Leave leaves under shrubs

Nesting aids for the spring

Supplement winter feeding with nesting boxes:

• Different sizes for different species
• Correct placement and orientation
• Annual cleaning after the breeding season

TL;DR - The most important points at a glance

• Timing: Only feed during permafrost, freezing rain or closed snow cover
• Regularity: If you start, you have to keep it up until the end of winter
• Feeding times: Main feeding in the morning, small refill in the afternoon
• Quality feed: Sunflower seeds and hemp seeds for grain eaters, oat flakes for soft feed eaters
• Hygiene: Daily cleaning, weekly basic cleaning, pause immediately if birds are dead
• Location: Cat-proof, with escape routes, distance from windows
• Observe limits: Only helps common species, habitat protection is more important

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

When should I start winter feeding? In November at the earliest and only if there is permafrost, freezing rain or snow cover. No feeding is necessary in mild winters.

Which food is best for winter birds? Sunflower seeds and hemp seeds for grain eaters, oat flakes and dried berries for soft feed eaters. Swiss quality is preferable.

How often do I need to clean the bird house? Remove droppings and food residues daily and clean thoroughly with hot water once a week. Stop immediately if birds are sick or dead.

Can I also feed tit balls? Only sparingly and without a plastic net. Studies show that too much fat food can reduce breeding success.

Where is the best place to put the feeder? Cat-proof at a height of 1.5-2 meters, with escape routes nearby, at least 3 meters away from windows.

Should I also feed in summer? BirdLife Switzerland and the Swiss Ornithological Institute recommend refraining from feeding all year round. Birds are dependent on natural insect food during the breeding season.

What do I do if I find dead birds? Remove the feeder immediately, clean it thoroughly and leave it for 3 weeks. Then set up again in a new location.

Can I make my own bird food? Yes, a mixture of suet, wheat bran and grains is easy to make and very nutritious.

Do birds need water in winter? Only if you can clean and provide fresh water every day. Birds can also quench their thirst with snow.

Which birds come to the winter feeding station? Mainly tits, finches, sparrows, robins, blackbirds, nuthatches and woodpeckers. Rare species rarely visit feeders.

Conclusion: Responsible winter feeding

Winter feeding of birds can be a useful supplement to natural foraging if it is carried out properly and responsibly. It is important to understand that it is only necessary in really difficult weather conditions and mainly helps common, already well-adapted species.

A well-designed feeding station not only helps individual birds to survive, but also enables valuable observations of nature and can teach children in particular about the local bird world. At the same time, winter feeding should never be seen as a substitute for the protection of natural habitats.

Those who opt for winter feeding take responsibility for the right choice of food, consistent hygiene and regularity throughout the winter. With this comprehensive guide, you are well equipped to help your feathered guests safely through the cold season and at the same time gain valuable insights into their fascinating behavior.