Interested in feeding wild birds? Bird feeding is an American tradition that dates back to the time of Henry David Thoreau and Emily Dickinson, perhaps even longer. In the spring and summer, it's a wonderful opportunity for seeing birds up close. But in the winter - when food is scarce and the weather is harsh - supplementing the diet of your little winged pals can be a lifesaver.

But how do you go about feeding wild birds? What do you feed it? When? Where? This article covers all those information about wild bird feeding, and then some!

When?
The best time to feed birds is during winter, when insects no longer fly about.

Where?
Different species eat differently. For the tit family, hung food is best. You can use peanut dispensers and hang one high so that no cat gets at it. For most types of birds, a bird table will do. Or, you can simply place the food on the ground - many birds prefer eating on the ground, anyway. Be sure to put the food far from shrubs, though - it may be hiding cats that would gobble the food up themselves!

If you happen to have an old tree somewhere, smear fats on it and put nuts in trunk crevices - you will make a lot of nuthatches, woodpeckers, and treecreepers happy!

Finally, don't forget to put fresh water on a shallow container. Birds need water sources, too, especially when bodies of water are frozen solid.

What?
During winter, birds need high-energy food to keep their fat reserves and survive the long, cold nights. So, put out quality scraps and treats. Nuts and seeds are high-energy treats that most species love. You can also leave applies that have been cut in half - robins and blackbirds love them!

Do not allow uneaten food to accumulate in - or around - the feeder. It's important to maintain good hygiene in feeding wild birds or the food you give will do more harm than good.

Good luck!