Winter Is Here

January and February in southeastern Arizona, like most places in this country, is the coldest part of the year.  The birds have depleted many natural food sources so they do benefit from the supplemental food and water that we put out for them.  During this time of the year we must think in terms of high calorie and high fat contents in the food we put out in our wild bird feeders.  Hopper bird feeders and tube bird feeders should contain seed mixes heavy in black oil sunflower and white millet.  Peanut hearts and other shelled nuts are high in protein and fat.  Both the sunflower seed and nut meats can be served up in specialty sunflower and peanut feeders to attract additional species to your feeding system.  Suet is also a high fat food and may be served in a variety of suet bird feeders.  During the winter we also put out peanut butter (high fat) and grape jelly (high calorie) in our recycled oriole feeder.  Both attract a number of species which would not otherwise come to our feeders.  Water is also important during this time of year and can be provided most effectively in a heated bird bath.  Enjoy your birds this winter and remember that providing them with the things they need will attract more of them for your easy observation and enjoyment.