Support Your Local Birds This Fall—Right Here in Wichita, Kansas

Fall marks a season of change across Wichita.
Back-to-school routines settle in, Chiefs flags start flying on porches, and cooler evenings hint at autumn’s arrival. In our backyards, sunflowers go to seed, native grasses sway with the breeze, and the bird activity begins to shift dramatically.

Just like us, our backyard birds are transitioning too, and they need a little extra help this time of year.

🍁 Fall Means Big Changes for Backyard Birds

For our local birds, fall kicks off two major transitions:

🪶 Molting

Many birds around Wichita are wrapping up their late-summer molt, growing an entirely new set of feathers. It’s a process that takes 4 to 8 weeks, and it requires serious energy—especially protein, the primary ingredient in feathers.

Cardinals, goldfinches, woodpeckers, and even doves will all show signs of molting, sometimes looking a bit ragged or scruffy. But don’t worry—they’re just upgrading their plumage before colder weather sets in.

🌍 Migration

September also marks the start of fall migration through south-central Kansas.
We’ll see the movement of hummingbirds, warblers, flycatchers, and sparrows—some headed to Central America, others simply shifting around the region. To do this, many birds must double their body weight in just a few weeks by gorging on high-fat foods. These fat reserves fuel hours of non-stop flying.

It’s an all-consuming mission… and your backyard can be a major pit stop.

🛠️ How You Can Help (And Attract More Birds!)

By offering the right high-fat, high-protein foods, you can give migrating and molting birds exactly what they need and enjoy an incredible fall show in return.

Here are some top picks that we recommend (and carry right here in our Wichita store):

WBU Plus Blends – Premium seed mixes with extra protein and fat to support feather growth and energy needs

Peanuts & Peanut Pieces – A favorite of woodpeckers, nuthatches, and chickadees

Nyjer® (Thistle) – Perfect for finches and other small songbirds

Sunflower Chips – No shells, no mess—just pure, energy-rich food

Suet & No-Melt Doughs – Ideal for cooler nights and energy-demanding days

Bark Butter® Products – Loved by over 150 bird species, these are a must-have for migration season

All of these are available in-store at Wild Birds Unlimited Wichita, and our team is always happy to help you find the best mix for your feeders.

🎥 Want to Capture the Action?

Ask us about our BeakView Smart Camera Feeders, they let you watch, photograph, and even identify birds from your phone. It’s an amazing way to catch fall migrants you might otherwise miss.

🎧 Bonus Tip: Want to Learn More?

Check out the latest episode of the WBU Nature Centered Podcast

Feed Birds Peanuts This Fall