Wild Birds Unlimited Helps Prepare Birds For Winter

Most people are unaware that not all birds fly south for the winter. In fact, some
of the most colorful and lyrical song birds, includ
ing jays, woodpeckers and chickadees, stay in
the same area throughout the entire year.

Wild bird
s use a variety of techniques to stay warm
during the cold winter months; however, while they
are equipped to withstand most winter
weather, survival can be made easier by providing
food
, a heated, open source of
water
and
protection from freezing temperatures with natural
plant cover or a roosting box.

These are only
some steps to take in order to attract feathered gu
ests into the backyard this winter.

First and foremost,
food
is the most crucial element for a bird's winter su
rvival. Providing birds
with the energy, stamina and nutrition they need to
stay warm will help immensely. Also, to stay
warm, birds will expend energy very quickly, some l
osing up to 10 percent of their body weight
on extremely cold nights. In these cases, an ample
supply of high-calorie foods, such as black oil
sunflower seeds, peanuts and
suet
can be vital to a wild bird's survival.
"In addition to supplying birds with food, birds al
so need a place to bathe when temperatures
drop," said Jim Carpenter, CEO and Founder of Wild
Birds Unlimited. "Providing birds with an
open water source will allow them to clean their fe
athers, which ultimately help birds stay warm.
Also, a bird bath with open water is often the only
way for some birds to drink, when it's cold."

Many bird enthusiasts will use
bird bath
heaters to keep the water thawed during extensive
below
freezing temperatures. By either adding a heater to
the water source or purchasing a bird bath with
a built in heater, a bird bath in the winter has th
e potential to attract as many birds as bird food!

Finally, a natural plant cover or roosting box is a
lso advised to help protect birds from harsh
winters. By providing birds with these shelter opti
ons, you are also helping them secure safety
from predators.

For more advice on caring for backyard birds in col
d weather, contact a Certified Birdfeeding
Specialists at
Wild Birds Unlimited
.

About Wild Birds Unlimited

Wild Birds Unlimited is the original and largest fr
anchise system of backyard bird feeding and
nature specialty stores with more than 275 location
s throughout the United States and Canada.
Wild Birds Unlimited specializes in bringing people
and nature together with bird feeding and
nature products, expert advice and educational even
ts.

Visit our website,
https://maps.wbu.com/
and shop online at
www.wbu.com

. To learn how you can open your own Wild Birds Unl
imited,
visit
www.wbufranchise.com

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