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U of I Extension
Choose the right feeder and seed for birds in the winter
[February 05, 2026]
On Sundays, when the grand kids
arrive, they often check whether the bird feeders are full and hurry
to fill them with seed for our feathered friends. As we sit at the
dining room table, eating lunch or playing games, we enjoy watching
the birds and laughing and talking about all we see in the backyard.
As I have aged, I have become more committed to caring for the birds
and wildlife in my yard.
Choosing the Right Feeder
When deciding to feed birds, one can visit a farm store, a big box
store, or, if you live near Peoria, the “bird” store to choose a
feeder. There are many styles and designs to choose from; some may
be more decorative than functional, while others are better suited
to certain seeds that attract specific birds. Read the label when
selecting a feeder. Often, the best feeder will have a
recommendation from a reputable association such as Audubon or
Cornell Ornithology Feeder Watch.
Tube Feeders
A tube feeder is suitable for holding mixed seeds. Check that the
perch near the hole is long enough for the bird to rest on. Also,
check whether the bird can easily remove the seed you plan to place
in the feeder. Often the tube feeder holds a mixed seed if the holes
are round, but if the holes are small slits, it will hold nyjer
seed.
Mesh Feeders
Another style of feeder is the mesh feeder. Mesh feeders are
suitable for holding whole black oil sunflower seeds. Mixed seed
will often flow through the mesh and onto the ground; a larger seed
is usually used in this style of feeder. The base has a tray where
seed that may come through the mesh can be caught, and birds can
retrieve for a meal. When feeding black oil sunflower seed, one
needs to know there will be shells on the ground under the feeder.
These will need cleaning when warmer weather arrives. A thin layer
may compost into the soil, but a dense layer can cause mold or kill
any plants or grass below.
Hooded and Flat Feeders
Two other styles of feeders are the hooded and flat feeders. Both
have flat, wide bottoms and allow the birds that often feed on the
ground to scratch while feeding. These feeders can hold both the
tiny mixed seed blend and whole sunflower seed. Kits to build these
feeders can be found online and are easy to put together. They can
hang from a tree limb or be placed on a pole. Placing them on a pole
ten feet from a tree or fence helps keep squirrels away.
Suet Feeders
A suet feeder offers food rich in fat, protein, and seeds, which is
suitable for birds on cold winter days. The base of suet is often
kidney fat with added seeds, nuts, and berries. Woodpeckers
especially favor suet but other birds visit this feeder too. Suet
can be purchased or made at home. If you make your own suet, you can
go to the local butcher and ask for kidney fat at a low price. Do
not use bacon or a cured fat in making suet. Birds do not need the
added salt in their diet.
Simple Suet Recipe
1 cup peanut butter 1 cup vegetable shortening 4 cups cornmeal 1 cup
flour A handful of nuts, chopped dried fruit, or raisins
Mix well, place on a cookie sheet and freeze. Cut to the needed
size, place in the feeder, and hang.
Fruit for Birds
Fruits can also be placed outside for the birds. Orange sections,
apples, and raisins are all good fruits to put in a feeder or hang.
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Ground Feeding
Seeds placed on the ground are fun for birds that like to feed on
the ground. However, do not place too much on the ground as it can
attract other animals. A flat feeder can serve as a ground feeder.
If you have trouble with other animals bothering feeders, place ear
corn in another part of the yard. This may help a bit, but animals
are going to a source of something they want. One can also try
removing the feeders for a few days, then re-hanging them, but it
will not be long before they are rediscovered. It may be a case
where you feed the birds, deer, squirrels, raccoons, and possums!
Window Feeders
There are feeders that attach to windows and these are fun
especially for individuals who are confined to a home or children.
One disadvantage is sudden movement in the home can sometimes spook
the bird. Place feeders on a pole or in a tree at least ten feet
from the house. Again, birds can spook at the feeder and fly toward
a window causing death.
Types of Seed
Nyjer Seed
Nyjer is a seed that is heat treated so it will not sprout. It is a
good seed that will attract finches, chickadees, doves, pine sisks,
sparrows, and buntings.
Mixed Seed Blends
When purchasing mixed seed, check whether it has a high
concentration of milo, as this seed is often used as filler and is
not a favorite of birds. If it has a lot of milo, switch to another
brand. A mixed seed will also contain sunflower, cracked corn, and
millet. These seeds provide protein and fat for the birds. Birds
attracted to mixed seed are cardinals, blue jays, titmice, sparrows,
doves, nuthatches, and woodpeckers.
Winter Watering Warnings
If you provide a heated fountain, do not have deep water—only an
inch or two—and place larger rocks in the fountain so the birds can
perch as they drink. Try to make it so the birds cannot get into the
water. If their feathers get wet and freeze, the bird can freeze.
Cleaning Feeders
Clean the feeders regularly, as many birds congregate there each
day. A common disease in finches is conjunctivitis, which affects
the eyes. When cleaning a feeder, it can be placed in a dishwasher
or washed with hot water and Dawn dish soap. One can use bleach to
clean the feeder, but please make sure it is rinsed thoroughly
afterward.
[Jennifer Bass, Extension Master
Gardener, Master Naturalist]
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