If you live in the northern U.S. or at higher elevations, your backyard bird feeders can be a real lifesaver for local birds. But here's the dilemma: winter is also when many of us are traveling for work, taking holiday trips, or visiting family. The big question is: what happens to the birds if your feeders run empty while you're gone?
According to research from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, small birds burn a tremendous amount of energy just to survive cold nights, and they rely on reliable food sources to make it through (Cornell Lab, Project FeederWatch). If their regular feeder suddenly goes empty, they have to spend extra energy searching for food—which can be risky when temperatures are below freezing.
In this post, we'll go over practical tips so you can head out without leaving your feathered visitors stranded.
1. Go Big: Choose Long-Lasting Foods
If you're going to be gone for a few days, long-lasting food is your best friend.
Large-capacity seed feeders: Hopper or tube feeders can hold several pounds of black-oil sunflower seed or seed mix, lasting much longer than a small tray feeder.
Compressed suet cakes: Compared to homemade suet, no-melt suet cakes hold up better in the cold and last longer.
Suet log feeders: These let you load several suet logs at once, stretching out the time before you need to refill.
Pro tip: Before you leave, top off every feeder you own and hang an extra suet cage or two. Think of it as a backup fuel station for your backyard birds.
2. Use Gravity or Automatic Feeders
If you're someone who travels often, investing in an automatic or gravity-style feeder can be a game changer.
Gravity feeders: As birds eat from the bottom, more seed naturally drops down, reducing the need for constant refills.
Timed-release feeders: Some smart feeders can dispense seed on a schedule so food doesn't get eaten all at once.
Weather-protected designs: Feeders with roofs or covers keep seed from getting snowed in or frozen.
The Audubon Society notes that one of the biggest issues with winter feeders is clogging or seed freezing. Picking a smart design reduces those headaches (Audubon, Bird Feeding Guidelines).
3. Ask a Neighbor or Friend
Even the best gadgets can't beat good old human help.
Ask a neighbor to check in every couple of days to make sure feeders aren't buried in snow.
Offer a little thank-you like coffee, baked goods, or birdseed for their own yard.
Community birding groups: If your neighborhood has one, you might even find volunteers happy to pitch in. Some people will enjoy watching your birds as much as you do!
4. Prevent Spoiled Seed and Feeder Damage
Filling feeders before you leave isn't enough—you've got to make sure the food stays safe.
Clean before you go: Moldy or spoiled seed can make birds sick.
Add snow baffles or covers: These stop snow from piling up inside the feeder.
Pick feeders with drainage holes: This is huge if you live in an area with freezing rain.
The USDA Wildlife Services has reported that spoiled food is one of the top causes of bird poisoning in winter. A little prep goes a long way to avoid that.
5. Build a Backup Plan with Natural Food
Even if you're away, your yard can still help out with natural food sources:
Berry bushes like holly, hawthorn, or beautyberry provide calories all winter.
Leaf piles: Leaving some leaves attracts overwintering insects, which become bird snacks.
Brush piles: Birds can roost, find insects, and take shelter from the wind.
These “natural pantries” won't run out just because you're not around.
Conclusion: Leaving Doesn't Mean Cutting Birds Off
Heading out in winter doesn't have to mean your birds go hungry. With large-capacity feeders, automatic designs, neighborly help, weather protection, and natural food sources, you can make sure your backyard remains a safe stopover for birds, even while you're away.
The Cornell Lab has found that birds rely heavily on feeders during extreme cold (Project FeederWatch). A little planning on your part can literally be the difference between survival and struggle for chickadees, nuthatches, and other small songbirds.