With the official start to winter now here, many birds in Iowa have migrated south to warmer climates for more food opportunities.
Aubrey Brown, a Naturalist for the Franklin and Wright County conservation boards, says there are ways you can help the several species of birds that stay in Iowa year round.
“A great way to help our winter birds out is by putting some food out for them. This makes it much easier for them to find food and get the nutrition they need to survive the winter. And it allows them more time to rest and conserve energy. Putting up a bird feeder benefits birds and is a great way to attract birds to your yard, allowing for a fun bird watching experience from the comfort of your own home.”
Brown made her comments during an appearance on the Outdoors in North Iowa Program on 104.9 KLMJ and says there are many types of bird feeders and seed you can choose from to have outside for our feathered friends this winter.
“Birds of course are all kinds of different sizes, eat different things, and behave differently. Choosing the type of feeder to accommodate varying species needs is important to look at when choosing the type of feeder. You also want to consider how weather such as snow and rain will impact the seed. As far as seed goes, many seed mixes you find at the store may not meet the nutritional needs of the birds. And birds can be picky. They may not eat several types of seeds in the mixes. Black oil sunflower seeds, crack corn, and even some fruit tend to be favored by various species and provide great nutrition to birds.”
Brown adds that there are some resources for those wanting to provide food to birds this winter. One website birdwatchers can use is feederwatch.org.
