Feeding Birds in Winter: Table Scraps to Offer

Many people purchase bird seed, cracked corn, peanuts, and suet to give to the birds and the beasts in their winter backyard. This practice lets you attract and watch these animals and birds close up and learn more about them. There are other ways to do this. Table scraps can be used to entice the wildlife and will provide the similar nutrition to what they usually eat. This article covers the safe ones to use to feed winter wildlife.

Feed Winter Wildlife - Bread Products

Most bread products: loaf bread, muffins, crackers, cookies, and cakes can be fed to winter wildlife. Those with whole grains, seeds, or nuts are most useful nutritionally. Birds, squirrels, and other grain eating wildlife will come to feed. Be sure not to give highly sugary treats, anything chocolate, or anything that is spoiled.

Feed Winter Wildlife - Fruit

Fruit is a favorite or many birds, squirrels, and small rodents. While bananas and exotic, tropical fruit like pineapple is not favored by northern wildlife, apples, and berries, and pitted fruits are perfect to offer.

Feed Winter Wildlife - Nuts

Chopped, sliced, or broken, nuts are the perfect thing to feed winter wildlife. Whether you have leftovers from baking, or no one enjoyed your peanut surprise meatloaf, grab all the nuts from your table and toss them out the door. Winter wildlife enjoy nuts' taste as well as the high oil content.

Feed Winter Wildlife - Vegetables

Some vegetables are enjoyed by winter wildlife, and others are not. Experiment to see what works in your area. Root vegetables, such as carrots, turnips, and beets, are popular with squirrels and deer. Do not give the wild animals anything with hot spices or sauces. Raw is best.

Feed Winter Wildlife - Meat

Unless you want carnivores like foxes, opossums, and rats - or in other areas bears, mountain lions, and coyotes - visiting your backyard, never put out meat for the winter wildlife. The only way to use meat in feeding the animals and birds is to melt down the fat and mix it with seeds and nuts, or use your own suet to feed the birds.

Feeding winter wildlife, such as birds and small mammals, provides both entertainment and education for families. Besides purchase prepared foods, it is possible to entice them to your home with table scraps. Take care to use the right types that promote health and well-being, and your winter wildlife watching will be rewarding.