Winter Holidays Are for the Birds!

Christmas offers the perfect opportunity to give back to our feathered friends, as winter's

The winter holidays bring warmth, light, and togetherness—but for our feathered friends, the cold months can be a challenge. Snow and ice cover natural food sources, and insects are scarce, making it harder for birds to find the nutrition they need to stay healthy and strong. This year, why not extend your holiday cheer beyond the walls of your home and into your garden by creating a bird tree?

A bird tree is a living holiday tradition that combines festive décor with wildlife support. By decorating an outdoor tree with edible ornaments—like seed balls, peanuts in shells, suet cakes, and birdseed wreaths—you provide birds with vital calories while adding natural beauty to your winter landscape.

Making Your Bird Tree

The best part about decorating for the birds is how fun and creative it can be. Children, friends, and family can all help make the ornaments, turning the project into a cherished seasonal activity. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Seed Balls: Mix birdseed with natural peanut butter, shape into balls, and hang with twine.

• Citrus Feeders: Hollow out orange or grapefruit halves, fill with seed, and hang from branches.

• Peanuts in Shells: String them together like garland for woodpeckers, chickadees, and nuthatches.

• Birdseed Wreaths: Mold birdseed mixtures into wreath shapes using gelatin as a binder.

Choose a tree visible from a window so you can enjoy the cheerful sight of birds flocking to your outdoor feast while staying cozy indoors.

Extra Winter Care for Backyard Birds

Beyond the bird tree, you can make your garden even more welcoming by keeping feeders stocked and birdbaths ice-free. A heated birdbath or a simple de-icer ensures birds have access to fresh water—a necessity in cold weather.

Adding evergreen shrubs or brush piles nearby offers shelter from wind and predators, making your garden a safe and inviting space.

A Gift That Keeps on Giving

Bird-friendly holiday traditions benefit both people and wildlife. Watching cardinals, chickadees, finches, and woodpeckers enjoy the treats you’ve made brings joy all winter long. Plus, providing high-energy food in cold months can help birds survive and thrive until spring returns.

At Park Seed, we love supporting these traditions with garden gifts like birdseed ornaments, suet feeders, and winter-hardy peanuts. With a few thoughtful touches, you can turn your yard into a haven that’s as festive for the birds as it is for your holiday celebrations.

Here’s to a joyful, bird-filled holiday season—one where every branch tells a story of giving.