The sun may shine here in the Central Valley most of the winter, but the temperatures are still cold. While we can live comfortably in our cozy, warm homes, our feathered friends need some help keeping warm and fed during the winter.

Birds need three things to help them survive during the colder month: shelter, food, and water. By providing them with these essentials in our yards, you can help them to thrive during these chilly days.

Shelter

Birds need shelter during the winter to help keep them warm, dry, and away from predators. If you have evergreen trees in your yard, you may find a variety of birds using these as their winter home. Bushes, leaf piles (great for foraging as well), and vines are also used as shelter by our feathery friends. Older wisteria vines, honeysuckles, and a variety of bushes – both California natives and those recommended for our area – also provide much needed cover from predators and a safe place to spend the night. 

Food 

Stanislaus county is home to a wide variety of birds. Some of the birds commonly found here in the winter are White-crowned sparrows, Scrub Jays, Anna’s hummingbirds, Yellow-billed Magpies, to name but a few. All these birds have different dietary needs. Since much of their food supply disappears in the winter months, such as various insects, seeds, and berries, we can help them by providing supplemental sustenance.

Hummingbirds* can be helped with sugar-water feeders. Those that eat seeds and berries can be assisted with feeders filled with their favorite fare. Always keep feeders of any kind clean and free of bird droppings and debris. Healthy birds are happy birds! 

If you want to feed the birds year-round, consider planting California natives! By adding these native plants to your garden, many of which bloom in the winter months, you guarantee that our feathered friends have what they need to come through the colder days and nights.

Water

Fresh, clean water is essential for all living things, and our backyard birds are no exception. Consider adding a fountain to your yard so that the water circulates and stays fresh. Have no place to put a fountain? Birdbaths are a great idea; they just need to be cleaned and refilled regularly. Also, birdbaths do freeze over some mornings, so you may need to break some ice to allow the birds to get access to the water. 

With a bit of planning, some well-placed plants, feeders, and water supplies, your yard could be filled with birds staying warm and happy during the cold valley winters.

Resources:

The Audubon Guide to Winter Bird Feeding | Audubon

Cheerful Birds in Winter Gardens | The Stanislaus Sprout

*Learn more about hummingbirds by reading our article on hummingbirds at Hummingbirds - Fairies of our Gardens | The Stanislaus Sprout

Terry Pellegrini has been a UCCE Stanislaus Master Gardener since 2020