10 Easy Pieces: Bird Feeders

Bird feeders need extra protection against winter weather. A model with a roof or a cover to shield the feeding platform will keep feathered friends and their food dry.

How to choose a site for a bird feeder: Hang it from a tree branch or an eave where it will be sheltered from wind. (If you pick a spot close to the house, it will be easier to refill a bird feeder in bad weather.)

How to care for a bird feeder in winter: After a storm, make sure you remove ice and snow buildup so birds can get to the food.

What to feed birds in winter: To survive cold weather, birds need extra nutrition. Feed them high-fat foods for energy: White millet seed, thistle seed, peanuts, and peanut butter are good choices.

We’ve rounded up our favorite bird feeders—many with a roof or overhang to repel snow and rain—to hang in a peaceful spot in the garden.

“The feeders are American-made—made within 100 miles of Shift’s Philadelphia headquarters. ‘Your yard will be the talk of the flock,’ they promise,” writes Annie. See more in Object of Desire: A Cheerful Bird Feeder, Made in the US.

See more at Object of Desire: A Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder from Germany.

“Hailing from a small village in Poland, which is ‘very close to nature,’ Irek Jastrzíâcki spends his free time creating modern, minimalist accommodations for his favorite garden companions, which he sells through his Etsy shop. Carefully hand-made to withstand the elements, each house or feeder reflects the simple loveliness of nature,” writes Justine, a long time admirer.

See more of his handmade bird feeders at Etsy Find: The World’s Most Stylish Birdhouses

N.B.: Are you searching for the best birders’ shop in the world? See Shopper’s Diary: The Bird Watcher’s General Store in Orleans, Massachusetts. And for more ways to help birds in winter, see:

• 5 Favorites: Bird Houses.
• 10 Everyday Ideas to Steal from Estate Gardens.
• Make your own Grapefruit Bird Feeder.
• Luxurious Digs for the Birds.