Many of our feathered friends fly south for the winter in search of food, but many stay right here in Northeast Ohio. Resident birds that we see individually or in small family groups during the summer gather together in large flocks during winter as they search for food and shelter. We also see some species in the winter only—these birds nest north of us and fly south to Ohio or beyond for their winter vacations.
Here are some year-round residents that are commonly seen at backyard birdfeeders:
White-breasted nuthatch
Winter-only birds at your feeder:
Dark-eyed junco
Some year-round birds that dine on insects during the warm months change their diets to fruit in the winter.
Cedar waxwing
These birds can be seen—often in large flocks—at natural food sources, such as crabapple trees that still have fruit. Consider planting shrubs and trees that retain their fruit into the winter.
Here are some winter bird feeding tips to help you have a successful and healthy backyard feeding station:
Birding is a great way to stay connected to our natural world. Lake Metroparks offers some of the best birding locations in the country and encourages the growing pastime through bird walks, classes and day trips.