My “spark bird” was a cardinal, a burst of flame against the gray winter. But it wasn’t the cardinal that sparked my interest in birding; it was my five-year-old daughter’s reaction to the beautiful red bird. “MOM! A cardinal! A CARDINAL! Look!” Her excitement was palpable, and I was sold.
The following day, we went to get wild bird food before the big blizzard hit. Within minutes of putting food out, we had a handful of songbirds hungrily eating before the arrival of the snow. My oldest daughter, the cardinal lover and list-making enthusiast, suggested we write down all the birds we saw on the feeder. We saw twelve different kinds of birds in two days!
Now, a poster of common backyard birds hangs next to our back door, along with a stack of bird books and a stool for my daughters to stand on so they can see out the back door to watch for new birds. During these frigid days, caring for our birds enriches our lives and strengthens our connection with nature — to the quiet pulse of winter. It also warms my heart to know that we are doing a small kindness that makes a world of difference for each bird.
I’m Emily, a mom, a writer, and now, newly, a bird enthusiast. I’ve always enjoyed watching and listening to birds, but learning their personalities, identifying returning birds, and discovering their favorite foods alongside my daughters is a whole new level of devotion.
To find out more about our dear feathered friends, I interviewed Colleen Winter, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited, about the best ways to help birds during winter.
Water
Providing clean water for wild birds is the number one thing you can do to help them — and it’s not just for drinking. “Water is crucial in winter because if birds have cleaner feathers, they can stay warmer at night. They have to keep their feathers clean,” Colleen explained. A heated bird bath is a tremendous asset to wild birds during the winter, providing them with a constant source of water to drink, bathe, and keep clean — while filling your backyard with their grateful songs. Plus, clean water will attract a wider variety of birds. Yes!
If you don’t have a heated bird bath and are looking for a more budget-friendly option, there are many affordable alternatives. For example, a solar-powered bird bath heater can keep water from freezing without a large upfront cost. Insulating the birdbath with foam or a weather-resistant cover helps retain heat, and placing heated rocks in the bath can offer warmth naturally. Heated pet water bowls are also effective and inexpensive. Additionally, shallow dishes of water freeze more slowly and can be placed in sunny spots, reducing the need for constant heating. Any of these methods provides practical, budget-friendly ways to offer birds the water they desperately need during winter months.
Food
Colleen explained that during cold winters or times of food scarcity, feeding birds provides them with a reliable food source to survive. “There is not a lot of natural food left in the winter, and they really need food high in protein and fat,” Colleen said.
By feeding birds — especially in areas where their natural habitats are being disrupted — you help support a variety of species. It can also encourage a greater range of bird species to visit your area, promoting biodiversity. How cool would it be if YOU are the reason for a unique species of bird nesting in your backyard? (This is my goal!) Furthermore, many bird populations are facing threats due to habitat loss, climate change, and other factors. Feeding them can offer support, particularly for species that are more vulnerable or in decline. Note that it’s important to feed birds the right types of food to ensure their health. For example, sunflower seeds and suet are great options, while bread and processed foods can be harmful.
Shelter
Providing shelter for birds in the winter is crucial because it helps protect them from harsh weather conditions such as freezing temperatures, strong winds, and snowstorms — which can be life-threatening.
Hanging birdhouses from your trees or porch is a simple way to provide shelter for wild birds. "Just make sure to clean it out after the summer," Colleen advised. Different birds prefer different houses or shelters, and learning which birds are attracted to what kind of home is another way to make birding more fun and educational.
During the colder months, birds expend a lot of energy trying to stay warm and find food. Having safe, sheltered spots allows them to conserve energy and avoid the dangers of exposure. In addition to birdhouses, natural shelters like evergreen trees and shrubs give birds a place to rest, sleep, and escape predators, helping them survive through difficult winter months. Shelter also supports their overall well-being, making it easier for them to find food and maintain their health during a time when resources are limited.
Fun Ways to Get Your Kids Involved in Birding:
My daughters are involved in every step of taking care of the wild birds, even on these frigid, snowy days. Layered in their Iksplor Merino Wool (our go-to-baselayer all winter), they dump sunflower seeds in the feeder each morning, help me clean the bird bath, and hang homemade bird treats in the trees. Here are some fun ways to get your kids involved in birding, with tips from Colleen for even more engagement:
DIY Bird Feeders
Pine Cone Feeder
Collect some pinecones on your next walk, and tie a string at the top so you can hang them from the tree branches. Next, roll each pine cone in peanut butter, then in bird seed. Hang them somewhere where you can watch the birds come to enjoy their treat.
Supplies:
-
Pine cones
-
Peanut butter
-
String
-
Bird seed
Orange Peel Feeder
First, cut an orange in half. Then hollow out the oranges so that only the orange peel is left. It should look like a little bowl. Next, using a knife, cut three holes, spaced apart, through the peel. Loop the string through the holes and tie it at the top. Finally, fill it with bird seed and hang it in a tree, bush, or off a hook. Ta da!
Supplies:
-
An orange or grapefruit
-
String
-
A knife
-
Bird seed
Popsicle Stick Bird Feeder
Feeling a bit more ambitious? Grab the glue gun and your bird-watching buddy and craft a bird feeder from popsicle sticks! My daughters and I had so much fun designing ours, and I expect it will last longer than the other options.
Supplies:
-
Popsicle sticks
-
Hot glue gun
-
String
-
Bird seed
Great Backyard Bird Count
Colleen also filled me in on the Great Backyard Bird Count, which takes place from February 14th to February 17th. It’s marked on our calendar, and my daughters and I are so excited about it. We fully intend to make it a yearly tradition.
The Great American Bird Count is an exciting way for families to get outdoors and connect with nature while helping scientists track bird populations. It’s educational, hands-on, and full of learning opportunities. All you need to do is count birds for just 15 minutes on one or more days, note the species you see, and report your findings online — no expertise required! Whether it’s your backyard, a park, or even from a window, this event allows kids to develop observation skills and learn about local wildlife. By participating, your family is contributing to real scientific data that can influence conservation efforts, all while fostering a love for nature in your children. This is what I told my daughters: The bird count helps scientists understand how birds are doing and what they need, so we can make sure they have safe places to live and keep our planet healthy for all living things.
Merlin Bird ID App
The Merlin Bird ID app has been such a fun and educational tool for my daughters and me. It's free and super easy to use — you just answer a few questions about the bird you see, and the app helps you identify the species! We love how it gives us pictures, sounds, and helpful information about each bird, turning every birdwatching walk into a learning adventure. Colleen also told me that the app can keep track of birds during The Great Backyard Bird Count — score!
I am so grateful that this last blizzard brought a hungry cardinal to our back door, and that my daughters and I have another wintertime hobby that inspires a love for all the beauty in nature. Winter might be the most important time to care for wild birds, but this hobby will stick around for each season, and I can’t wait to see what other birds we will welcome to our backyard.
“You never know what you’ll see if you just watch,” Colleen said. “Each bird has its own behavior and personality. You get so much joy just watching the birds, and anyone who watches them will learn something.”