Winter in Kansas brings its share of challenges for both humans and wildlife. While we can cozy up indoors, birds face harsh weather conditions daily. Though they’re remarkably resilient, your backyard can become a vital sanctuary for our feathered friends. With a little care, you can help birds survive—and even thrive—this winter by providing food, water, and shelter to make their lives easier.

Keep Your Feeders Full

Food is essential for birds during the winter months, providing the energy and stamina they need to survive. On especially cold nights, birds can lose up to 10% of their body weight, and they rely on replenishing that lost fat each day to stay warm.

In mild weather, birds typically gather only 20% of their daily calories from feeders, with the rest coming from natural sources. However, when temperatures drop and natural food becomes scarce, feeders can be a lifeline, helping birds load up on calories critical for their survival.

At Wild Birds Unlimited of Wichita, we recommend filling your feeders with high-energy foods like our No-Mess Plus Blend, suet, or seed cylinders. These options are nutrient-dense and help birds replenish their energy reserves quickly.

Reliable Water in Cold Weather

Providing an open, heated source of water is just as important as offering food. Birds need water to maintain hydration and to clean their feathers, which is crucial for staying warm. Clean feathers create better insulation, allowing birds to puff up their fluffy down feathers to trap warm air close to their bodies.

Without access to water, birds may struggle to preen properly, making it harder for them to maintain the insulating properties of their feathers. A heated bird bath is an excellent way to ensure your backyard birds have a reliable water source all winter long.

Wild Birds Unlimited of Wichita offers high-quality heated bird baths and accessories to keep water from freezing, even during Kansas's coldest days. By providing a consistent water source, you’ll attract a wide variety of birds, even those who might not visit feeders.

Protection from the Elements

Shelter is vital for birds seeking refuge from cold winds, snow, and predators. Roosting boxes and nesting boxes are excellent additions to your backyard habitat, offering birds a warm, dry place to rest overnight.

Natural shelter, like dense shrubs or evergreen trees, can also provide critical protection, but if your yard lacks these, you can help by adding artificial options. Roosting pockets, available at Wild Birds Unlimited of Wichita, mimic natural hiding spots and are ideal for smaller birds like chickadees and wrens.

Additionally, shelter helps birds avoid natural predators like cats or hawks. Offering protection gives them a safer space to gather their energy and survive the harshest days.

Why Your Help Matters

In Wichita and across Kansas, winter can be a tough season for birds. By keeping feeders full, offering fresh water, and providing shelter, you can create a haven for birds in your backyard. The simple actions you take today can make a big difference in helping birds beat their winter woes and stay healthy until spring.

Visit Wild Birds Unlimited of Wichita to explore our wide range of feeders, heated bird baths, high-energy food blends, and shelter solutions. Together, we can make this winter a little easier for our feathered friends!