Wild birds in wintertime often have to work harder for food. Hibernating insects and grubs are difficult to come by, while snow and ice make for difficult hunting conditions.
Birds have adapted to these harsh conditions by developing their own strategies. These include feeding on foods such as fruits, seeds and fats.
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Millet
Millet is a low-maintenance grain that’s drought resistant and offers numerous health advantages. It provides protein, fiber and micronutrients in small amounts.
Studies have also demonstrated that fiber can aid digestion and lower blood pressure. Furthermore, it contains prebiotics and is naturally gluten free.
This grain is becoming increasingly popular due to its numerous health advantages and lower environmental footprint than wheat or rice production.
Its high fiber content may help lower cholesterol levels in your bloodstream, decreasing your risk for heart disease and other conditions. Furthermore, it contains potassium which supports healthy kidney and heart function.
Black Oil Sunflower
Black oil sunflower seed is an ideal bird food choice for woodland wild birds. Its high oil content provides energy to songbirds and its thin hulls make it easier for birds to open.
These seeds are packed with protein, fiber, calcium, vitamin b-complex, vitamin e and potassium – making them a great option for backyard chickens as well. Not only that, but their health-promoting qualities make them an excellent addition to any poultry farm!
Sunflowers can be planted without tilling, provided the soil is free from weeds and other undesirable plants. Furthermore, sunflowers require a sunny, well-drained spot in your garden.
Corn
Corn is an incredibly versatile plant, capable of being used for hundreds of purposes. Not only is it a vital food crop, but also used to manufacture many everyday items we depend on.
Corn, also known as maize, is an herb that originated in Mexico around 6,000 years ago from a weed. It belongs to the Poaceae family of grasses.
This plant grows inside a tall grass-like stalk, producing large kernels on a cob. The cob has long been used for human food, fuel and other purposes.
Wheat
Wheat is one of the world’s most widely-cultivated cereal grains and an important source of protein, providing 20% of global population’s protein needs. It ranks second in terms of production behind corn.
Wheat can be either an annual or perennial crop, and can thrive in a variety of soil types. Cultivated worldwide, it’s particularly popular during temperate climates.
Cereal is a staple in bird feeders and seed mixes. Additionally, it’s used in food plots to attract wild turkeys during the fall and winter months.
Wheat, like all flowering plants, produces seeds from fertilized ovules in its flowers. A wheat seed consists of three parts: an embryo, stored food (endosperm), and a coat bonded to the fruit wall.
Other Seeds
Some seeds are favorites of many birds, while others are less sought-after but still valuable for woodland wild bird food sources. Sunflower kernels, for instance, provide nourishment to finches, titmice, sparrows, grosbeaks, buntings, chickadees and nuthatches as well as cardinals and doves.
Sunflower kernels come in a hulled form, which means they have already had their shell removed to reduce waste and make them easier for birds to open. This makes them a popular option for people who struggle with seed shells dropping to the ground or birds kicking them out of feeders.
Nyjer (or thistle) seeds are a high-protein food for finches and other small songbirds, especially American goldfinch, pine siskins and dark-eyed juncos. You can offer them along with other seeds like sunflower for added nutritional value.
