The colors and activities provided during a feeding visit by Evening Grosbeaks, or any birds, can make you feel more connected with the nature that surrounds you. The Perky-Pet “Deal of the Month” is their Carriage Bird Feeder; see (Perky-Pet Carriage Bird Feeder (perkypet.com)). A Bird Waterer can be used when temperatures don’t fall below freezing (Perky-Pet® Water Cooler Bird Waterer | 780 | PerkyPet.com). A heated bird bath is best in northern climes during months with freezing temperatures.

Winter can be a very punishing time for birds that tough out the cold, wind, and snow and find their way to our feeders. Aware that February is one of the coldest months for birds when natural resources are slim, John Porter, the former 10th District Congressman from Illinois, wanted to do something to help birds survive by bringing awareness to bird feeding and birding as a hobby. In response, Congressman Porter read his resolution to make each February the National Bird Feeding Month to encourage people who live in cold weather areas with limited natural resources to provide sources of food, water, and shelter for wild birds.

To help celebrate February as National Bird Feeding Month, a portion of Congressman John Porter's 1994 resolution is provided below:

“Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize February, one of the most difficult months in the United States for wild birds, as National Bird Feeding Month. During this month, individuals are encouraged to provide food, water, and shelter to help wild birds survive. This assistance benefits the environment by supplementing wild birds’ natural diet of weed seeds and insects. Currently, 1/3 of the adult population of the United States feeds wild birds in their yards.

“In addition, Mr. Speaker, backyard bird feeding is an entertaining, educational, and inexpensive pastime enjoyed by adults and children. Bird feeding provides a needed break from today’s frantic lifestyles. Adults enjoy the relaxation and peacefulness afforded by watching birds – nature serves to relieve stress and can get a person's day going on a tranquil note.”

Reason to Celebrate

According to a US Fish and Wildlife Service survey, bird feeding has become one of the most popular hobbies among Americans – about 70 million people to be more precise! Bird feeding is an important hobby that supplies birds with supplemental foods, water, and shelter, which in turn provides additional benefits to our environment. Bird feeding is also such an easy and inexpensive hobby. A simple bird feeder and a bag of seeds gets you started, but for most people, their interest grows quickly as they learn about the different birds that come to their yard and find out more about the variety of foods people feed a variety of birds, especially as we continue into spring, summer, and fall.

The Best Ways to Participate

Feeders – Whether it’s your first bird feeder or new feeder to add variety to the feeders and foods you already provide at your feeding station. There are many feeder options, ranging from a window feeder, tube feeder, hopper feeder, squirrel-resistant feeder, or a platform feeder. In warmer areas, or during warmer months a hummingbird feeder and oriole feeder can also be added.

Water Source – Water is just as important as food for birds, and unfortunately, many natural water sources are frozen during February in many areas. You can provide birds with water via a simple waterer, although you may need to bring it in at night to prevent freezing. Better yet, you can add a heated birdbath to your feeding station, and as a bonus, the winter water source will attract a greater variety of birds to your yard.

Provide shelter – There are many ways to add shelter to your yard, primarily through landscaping, especially by planting evergreen trees and shrubs. For birds that nest and roost in cavities, a bird house or roosting box can be helpful for birds ranging from chickadees to small owls.

Go Birding! – Every February, birders across the nation and around the world join together to provide information about the birds that visit our feeders during the exciting 4-day event – the Great Backyard Bird Count – that takes place February 14 thru 17 this year. Spend a little time to identify and count birds and report what you see to eBird. Birders worldwide participate in this citizen science project to help gather important information about winter bird populations during mid-February. It’s free to participate and you can count anywhere, at home and at your favorite birding locations. For more information about how to participate see Great Backyard Bird Count – Join us each February when the world comes together to watch, learn about, count, and celebrate birds.

Learn about the birds you see – One of the best ways to help the birds in your yard beside offering food and water is to learn more about them. Get to know which species spend time in your yard by checking in at the All About Birds website at Search, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Another option that is more specific to birds that regularly visit bird feeders, is the Perky-Pet Wild Bird Library at Wild Bird Species | Hummingbird Species | Oriole Species (perkypet.com). When you have identified your resident species, you can tailor the foods you offer and feeder styles to your favorite birds’ preferences.

Most of the above information was originally published in an online Perky-Pet article, provided at What is National Bird Feeding Month? (perkypet.com). Perky-Pet is one of the leading businesses that provides an array of bird feeders and other birding products that are periodically featured in The Birding Wire’s Products and Backyard Birding articles.

Share your backyard birding experiences and photographs with The Birding Wire at editorstbw2@gmail.com