Helping Birds During Freezing Temperatures: Food

When temperatures drop below freezing, birds need our help more than ever.

Insects become dormant, natural seeds and nuts are often frozen or ice-covered, and birds must burn extra calories just to stay warm. Providing reliable, high-energy food can make a real difference during extreme cold and snow.

1. Focus on High-Fat, High-Protein Foods

Cold weather increases birds’ calorie needs. High-fat foods help them maintain body heat and energy.

Winter SuperBlend®
Our Winter SuperBlend is the highest fat and highest protein loose seed we carry, making it ideal for freezing temperatures.

  • Available as loose seed or seed cylinders
  • Cylinders are especially helpful during storms because they’re fast to refill and stay protected

Super Suet
Suet is one of the most effective cold-weather foods you can offer.

  • Available in traditional suet squares (best used in a tail-prop suet feeder)
  • Also available in suet cylinders, which are larger and require less frequent refilling during bad weather

2. Add Multiple Feeding Stations

During storms, birds may not all be able to access one feeder.

Bark Butter®
Spreading Bark Butter in multiple areas around your yard creates additional feeding opportunities.
This is especially helpful during snow or ice events when birds are conserving energy and may avoid crowded feeders.

3. Don’t Forget Orioles (Yes — Even in the Cold!)

Oriole activity is still strong in our area right now.

  • Keep fresh jelly available
  • Jelly can freeze in very cold temperatures
  • When it’s safe to do so, refresh feeders with fresh jelly

Orioles also enjoy:

4. Support Winter Sparrows & Surprise Visitors

Cold fronts often bring increased feeder activity from wintering birds.

Chipping Sparrows, Juncos, & White Throated Sparrows

Goldfinches

If it snows, you can sprinkle seed directly on top of the snow
(Birds typically eat it quickly, often before the snow melts.)

5. Whole Peanuts for Larger Birds (and Squirrels)

Peanuts in the shell provide excellent nutrition for:

  • Blue jays
  • Crows
  • Woodpeckers
  • Titmice

Offering peanuts also gives squirrels their own feeding option, helping reduce pressure on your songbird feeders during extreme cold.

We like to keep squirrels in mind during freezing weather, too. They’re part of the backyard ecosystem.

 

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