North Carolina has an abundance of native bird life. An interesting fact is that a majority of native birds to North Carolina are actually year-round residents and are easier to spot during the winter months when they come to your feeder. This is much appreciated as natural food supplies become harder to find. Here is a list of birds that visit feeders during the winter in NC and how to attract them to your birdfeeder!

 

1. Carolina Chickadee: in the winter, you will find small flocks of these birds hanging from the tips of branches and shrubs. These birds are very talkative and will eat pretty much anything in a feeder!

2. Eastern Bluebird: These year- round birds can be found in orchards adjacent to open fields and pastures while also being found in open pine forest and parks. You can often attract these birds to your feeders by putting out fruits such as raisins, blueberries, cranberries, orange slices and these birds really enjoy baths!

3. Northern Cardinal: this larger bird is one of the most common backyard birds in North Carolina. These birds are very vocal and typically munch on black-oil sunflower seeds, striped sunflower seeds as well as others and like platform feeders, but will also eat from hopper feeders or on the ground.

4. Red-Bellied Woodpecker: found near woodlands and streams, these birds are also year-round residents in NC. These birds eat insects, but also acorns, nuts, and berries. At your birdfeeder, they will happily eat sunflower seeds, fruit and peanuts while preferring a platform feeder.

5. Blue-Jay: Another familiar bird that is typically loud can be found within large parks and trees and also are year-round residents. Blue-Jays visit feeders for sunflowers and peanuts or other nuts. During the fall, these birds often raid feeders and burry the food for winter.


Several of the smaller bird species here in North Carolina would prefer black oil sunflower seeds from a tube feeder. Tube feeders can be difficult for larger birds to eat from, while smaller birds can access easier and have less competition. The species you attract will depend on many things, from what part of the state you live in to the type of property you own, as well as the variables of the weather.


Beginning this hobby during the winter months is the perfect starting point because it being a bit slower paced than other times plus, it gives you an opportunity to research and learn different species for upcoming seasons. This can be a fun hobby to accrue and has benefits for both you and wildlife like benefiting and improving your overall mental health!