The Best Bird Foods for Fall

Check out these tips and suggestions on Fall birding:

These make great substitutes for traditional bird seeds:

• Black Oil Sunflower Seed
  Favorite of Cardinal, Goldfinch, Chickadee, Blue Jay, Nuthatch, Woodpecker, Titmouse, Grosbeak and Song Sparrow.
• Cracked Corn
  Favorite of Cardinal, Goldfinch, Blue Jay, Nuthatch, Woodpecker, Grosbeak and Song Sparrow.
• Nuts
  Favorite of Cardinal, Goldfinch, Chickadee, Blue Jay, Nuthatch, Grosbeak, Woodpecker, and Titmouse.
• Nyjer Seed
  Favorite of Goldfinch, Chickadee, Titmouse, and Song Sparrow.

Many birds like cardinals, black-capped chickadees, and woodpeckers, don’t migrate and will survive through the winter with help from full feeders and running water sources. As a backyard birder, you’ll see the change in seasons throughout the upcoming fall months and there are some things you can do to help your feathered friends.

• Create Brush Piles
  Brush piles and leaves provide great ground resources for foraging and coverage from predators. Some winter residents will also be looking for a place to call home during cold months, many of which rely on evergreens or piles of leaves and brush.
  Tip: Got a shedding dog? Dog fur makes a great insulator for birds nest in winter! brush your pup outside and let the birds carry away the fur.
• Take Down Empty Bird Houses
  Remove any empty birdhouses, clean them out, and store them until next spring.
• Refill Water Daily
  Keeping running fountains or birdbaths is the best option, but if you have a still birdbath, make sure to keep it full of freshwater for the birds.
• Clean Feeders More Often
  Make sure to keep feeders under rain cover if possible, change out seed after wet or freezing weather, and clean feeders thoroughly as needed.
• Add More Feeders
  Birds are going to be packing in the calories are they prepare their bodies for the long flight. Add more feeders to accommodate these visitors and help them along their journey. Include feeders that hold suet to provide food high in protein and fat for birds to get energy.
• Squirrel-Proof Feeders
  Squirrels will be gathering their winter supplies and on the prowl for their favorite foods. By squirrel-proofing your feeders, you give birds a better chance at getting at these precious resources before the other critters do!
• Protect Migrating Birds From Your Windows & Pets
  Add clings to windows to try to reduce glare and prevent traveling birds from colliding into big windows. Similarly, keep cats inside as groups of birds travel through and visit feeders. The less danger, the better, as birds make their way south.