Did you know that the best time for feeding wild birds is during the winter months? We've found some American made supplies and we're here to help you find out how to choose a bird feeder and decide which bird food to use.

To raise their metabolic rate and help them stay warm, food with high fat and high-calorie content is important to a wild bird's diet during this coldest time of the year. With the ground frozen and snow covered,  food with natural protein content, like bugs and worms, can be challenging to find. Now is the perfect time to invest in made in the USA wild bird feeding supplies to help our feathered friends survive through the winter.

SOME THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN SELECTING A BIRD FEEDER

Make sure the feeder is easy to clean. Plastic, glass or steel feeders clean better than those made of wood or clay. Dirty feeders can lead to the growth of bacteria that can harm and kill birds.

Until you know how popular your yard will be, start with smaller feeders. The longer the bird seed is exposed to water and inclement weather, the more likely it is to grow bacteria. Smaller feeders will empty quicker.

Look for features in the feeder design that help keep the bird seed dry, like domes, drainage holes, or enclosures.

Our favorite made in the USA bird feeding companies and products

DROLL YANKEES

What a surprise to discover that this bird feeder company is practically my neighbor!  In 1969 co-founder Peter Kilham developed the prototype for the first tubular bird feeder on the market. Headquartered in Connecticut,  Droll Yankees bird feeders are easy to fill, keep bird seed dry, and have received the title of “The World's Best Bird Feeders”.

Feeding wild birds: Droll Yankee tube bird feeder | Keeps bird seed dry | Assembled in USA

DUNCRAFT

Duncraft, “The Wild Bird Superstore” is an online retailer of all things wild birds. Duncraft's Highlighted “Made in the USA” items right now include a wide selection of Eco-friendly bird feeders. These feeders, like the Eco Strong Platform Feeder, are made in the USA from high quality, recycled plastic.

Feeding wild birds: Duncraft Eco-Strong platform and bird feeder | Made in USA bird feeder

KAYTEE

Located in Wisconsin, KAYTEE is the American leader in bird and small animal care and nutrition. This company cares about wild birds so much,  they started the Kaytee Avian Foundation that, according to their website, has been “established to enhance people's knowledge and enjoyment of birds through education, conservation and research”.

Kaytee birds seed | Feeding Wild birds in winter

A FUN PROJECT TO DO WITH KIDS: MAKE YOUR OWN BIRD FEEDER!

Here is what you need:
– Large pine cones
– Peanut butter (or made in the USA Crisco, if there are peanut allergies)
– A butter knife
– 1 or 2 plates
Kaytee Wild Bird Seed
– String or yarn

Cover pine cone with peanut butter using the butter knife.  For smaller kiddos, place a lump of peanut butter onto a plate and have them roll the pine cone in it. Pour some bird seed onto another plate. Once the pine cone is covered in peanut butter, roll it into the bird seed until all of the peanut butter is covered. Tie the top of the pine cone bird feeder with string or yarn. Hang from a tree branch.

We make a bunch of these and hang them around our yard in the winter!

For more information on feeding wild birds, check out the Audubon website.Feeding wild birds in winter : tips and American made bird feeder product selections

Follow USA Love List's board The Winds of Winter on Pinterest.