Help Birds Survive Winter

Birds rely on a variety of clever adaptations to survive winter, even in places where temperatures stay relatively warm. By understanding how they survive, you'll gain a new appreciation for the resilience happening just outside your window.

Did You Know?

• Birds need energy-rich foods to stay warm through the season's longer hours of darkness. Foods high in fat and protein, such as Winter SuperBlend®, Jim's Birdacious® Bark Butter®, or SuperSuet®, fuel their fast metabolisms and provide the energy they need.
• Birds continue searching for insects, even when the temperature drops. Watch your yard for birds like chickadees, nuthatches, and woodpeckers probing tree bark for dormant insects and eggs.
• Backyard feeding complements nature. Bird feeders provide a reliable food source, especially during winter weather that makes natural food harder to find. Native plants, shelter, fresh water, and feeders work together to create a habitat that helps birds thrive throughout the winter.
• Feathers are a bird's winter coat. Birds fluff their feathers to trap pockets of warm air, creating natural insulation.
• Access to fresh water is just as important as food. Birds need water year-round for drinking and feather care. Even a small source of water can become a popular stop, supporting survival.

As the winter season passes, keep your feeders filled and a source of water available in your yard. Watching the activity brings its own kind of comfort, and your efforts help birds weather the season, too!

November in your Central Illinois backyard

November brings a little extra excitement to Central Illinois backyards as our winter visitors settle in! Watch for Dark-eyed Juncos hopping beneath feeders, flashing their white outer tail feathers as they dart away. White-throated Sparrows are also arriving, often scratching through fallen leaves in search of seeds. Meanwhile, Northern Cardinals, chickadees, nuthatches, and woodpeckers are keeping busy, and you might even spot a Brown Creeper spiraling up a tree trunk in search of tiny insects hiding in the bark.

As temperatures dip and natural food sources become harder to find, your backyard feeders become popular gathering spots. Offer sunflower seeds, millet, suet, and Bark Butter to keep your feathered visitors fueled, and remember to provide fresh water as chilly mornings become more common. Stop by Wild Birds Unlimited for everything you need to welcome your winter birds, and a little help identifying who's stopping by!

November specials!

November is full of reasons to celebrate at Wild Birds Unlimited!

Customer Appreciation Sale | November 1-25
We're celebrating YOU with savings on your favorite bird-feeding essentials! Enjoy $10 off a pretax purchase of $75, $25 off $150, or $40 off $200.

31st Anniversary Celebration | November 7-8
We're turning 31, and you're invited to celebrate with us! The first 31 visitors will receive a FREE Hanging Tray Bird Feeder. Available while supplies last. Thank you for 31 wonderful years of sharing the joy of backyard bird feeding!

Fill-A-Bag Sale | November 27-29
Grab a WBU tote bag from us and fill it with your favorites! Enjoy 20% off everything you fit inside the bag. Some exclusions apply.*

Don't miss these November celebrations!

See this month's specials for all the details.

 

 

The Perfect Gift for Every Nature Lover

Every nature lover is different, so finding the ideal gift for them can be difficult. That's why our gift cards are the perfect gift for every occasion. They allow your friend or loved one to choose what part of nature he or she wants to enjoy. The best part: our gift cards are redeemable at every Wild Birds Unlimited location.