Feeding the Birds in Philadelphia and the entire Northeast Region

The gardening season may be over for a spell; but some of the birds that covet the garden are still hanging around.  Winter can be a difficult time for birds to find food; because in the dead of winter, the seeds and berries are gone, as well as, the insects.  Not only will winter bird feeding help the birds, but it will draw them to the garden for observation and picture taking this winter.  Just remember that feeding the birds is a commitment; because once they get use to being fed, they will return to the same landscape; and if there's no food, they could actually die from neglect

The most common backyard species of birds in the Philadelphia and Northeast region are:        

Dark-eyed Junco, Blue Jay, Mourning Dove, Downy Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch,  Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Tufted Titmouse, Purple finches, American tree sparrow, Chipping sparrows; Rose-breasted grosbeak; Scarlet Tanager; Red-eyed vireo; Ruby-throated Hummingbird; Baltimore Oriole; Red-winged Blackbird; American Robin; Eastern Bluebird; Northern Flicker; House wren; House Sparrow; and Eastern screech-owl. 

First and foremost; there are things ‘not to do’ in regards to feeding the birds such as:

• Never feed birds salted nuts
• Never feed birds desiccated coconut
• Never feed birds spicy foods
• Never feed the birds too much white bread. One common mistake people make is throwing out whole slices of dry bread, because the birds like it in small pieces and moist; but based on the snow, even the dry bread will become moist within seconds
• Don’t overfeed the birds or leave food around too long; because by night, it will call attention to the rodents
• Never feed birds spoiled food, it could cause harm to the birds. If you won't eat it, don't feed it to the birds. 

Supplying seed and water are obviously basic needs; but there are many things found right in the kitchen that you can feed the birds with such as: cooked rice, potatoes, pasta, stale cake and biscuits, as well as, any fat from meat, including bacon, which can be cut up into small pieces or hung on a tree in a whole piece.

For attracting specific birds, below is short list of common birds and the food they eat:

• Northern Cardinal - oats, grapes, corn 
• American Robin and Wren - Small crumbled up or grated cheese 
• Blackbird and Thrushes - Old fruit such as apples and pears. You can also soak raisins and dried fruit for these birds 
• Greenfinches, Sparrows, Nuthatches, Siskins, and Woodpeckers - Peanuts, as long as their unsalted, are good for the birds, rich in fat, and attract a variety of birds 
• Hedge sparrows and American Robin - Chopped or crushed nuts 
• Dunnocks and other House Finch - Sunflower seeds are coveted 
• Ruby-throated Hummingbird - Will sip syrup from a red bird feeder. You can attract these mini-birds by tying red ribbon around trees. 

Different birds feed in different ways and places. Food such as nuts and fat can also be hung from tree branches; although birds such as Dunnocks and Wrens like eating from the ground. You can construct a bird feeding table using wood and construct it similar to a bird bath structure with a flat surface on a pedestal; and many birds will feed at the table. But don’t place it near a tree or area where animals such as cats and squirrels can jump from the tree on to the table. If yo0u want to take photographs; winter resident birds are most active at feeders early morning and late afternoon. 

Of course, most local grocery stores and pet stores carry bird seed, and there are local specialty animal feed stores in the Philadelphia area that offer specially prepared bird seed for attracting various kinds of birds; but be forewarned, it can be expensive to keep up with all the birds that will follow each day. 

Also, don’t forget bird baths; birds need water to drink and to keep clean. There are many things you can use around the house like an upside down trash can lid. Raise it off the ground by hanging it from a tree, fix to a fence, or place it on an old barstool; and remember to keep the water clean.

Just like gardening, the world of feeding birds can be easy or complicated.  There are elongated suet feeders for woodpeckers, hummingbird feeders, and other specialty bird feeders for specific breeds, wood feeders with vertical boards and tube feeders without trays that restrict large bird and other wildlife; but bird feeding can become costly and time consuming.  Keep it simple. Most birds like water and seed. All one has to do is provide enough food and water, and the birds will start flocking. 

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Reference: (1) http://www.enature.com/birding/region_description.asp?bregionID=5