I'm sorry. Let me clarify on the question of what backyard birds eat during the winter.?

Question

Of course some birds fly south. But chickadees for instance, don't. And I know they sort of hibernate for a couple of weeks at a time if necessary. My question is this - what do they eat when they do eat? There are no seeds or berries or insects. There are no birdfeeders. Everything is covered with snow and frozen. Do they "eat" snow for water? I'm very curious as to what they actually eat when they do eat. Sometimes winter lasts five to six months with no growth or warmth.

Answer 1

Chickadees are my favorite birds. They are so brave, especially since they are so little. In the Winter, if you don't feed them, they will eat the seeds of coniferous trees which keep their greenery all season.

Answer 2

One challenge for Chickadees is that along with an increased need for food comes a decrease in the types of food which are available. Chickadees have a diet that consists primarily of insects, fruit, and seeds. During the winter months, fruit and some insects become scarce. In order to assist with winter foraging, Chickadees (like all birds) have evolved a beak which is suited for the harshest conditions faced by the bird. Because Chickadees depend heavily on the seeds of coniferous trees during the winter, they have evolved beaks which are well adapted for cracking small nuts. There are two reasons why Chickadees are so reliant on coniferous tree seeds: 1) the seeds are high in fat and oil content and 2) the seeds are available

We've all seen Chickadees eating seeds and berries but did you know that they also snack on dead animals? That's right, Chickadees have been seen eating fat from dead animals whose bodies have been opened up by larger predators and scavengers. These fat deposits are an excellent source of calories for Chickadees during the harsh winter months when food may be scarce.

Answer 3

I live in Nebraska and it can be pretty nasty here in the winter, but everything isnt always covered in snow. I have nird feeds that hang from my balcony that are always accessible for the birds and I have small birds like wrens sparrow finches and purple finches at my feeder all winter. I have seen both birds and squirrrels eat snow as a source of water and because I am always feeding my critters they have no problem finding food even if it is snowy. Im sure there are people like me everywhere that keep the critters fed at all times, and thats how they survive.

Answer 4

they have stacked and stored up food during the summer to consume during the winter.