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This Tuesday, February 3, is Feed the Birds Day.

You might think, "I already have a feeder, isn't that enough?"

But February is special. Biologists often call late winter the "Hunger Gap."

By now, the natural food sources are gone. The berries on the bushes have been eaten. The seed heads are buried under snow. The insects are dead.

And yet, birds need more calories now than at any other time of year just to keep their tiny bodies warm overnight.

This Tuesday isn't just about entertainment; it’s about survival.

But before you go toss your leftover toast on the lawn, we need to talk about the menu.

Here is how to actually help your backyard friends this week.

The #1 Rule: Stop Feeding Them Bread

If you grew up throwing bread to ducks or birds, we are sorry to ruin your childhood.

Bread is junk food.

It fills their stomachs so they feel full, but it offers almost zero nutritional value. In winter, a bird full of bread can literally freeze to death because they don't have the fat reserves to generate body heat.

• The Swap: You need FAT. High-calorie, dense energy.

The "Superfood" of Winter: Suet Cakes

If you want to see a woodpecker, a nuthatch, or a chickadee this week, you need Suet.

Suet is rendered fat mixed with seeds or fruit. It is like an energy bar for birds.

• The Pick: High-Energy Suet Cakes

• Why: They are cheap, they fit into those little square cages, and they don't make a mess on the ground.
  Shop Suet Cakes and Cages on Amazon

The DIY Project: The "Toilet Roll" Feeder

You don't need to buy a fancy plastic tube. You have everything you need in your recycling bin.

This is the perfect 10-minute activity for kids on a Tuesday afternoon.

The Materials:

• Empty toilet paper roll.

• Peanut Butter (or vegetable shortening/lard if you have nut allergies).

• Bird Seed (Black Oil Sunflower is best).

The Method:

1. Smear the cardboard roll with a thick layer of peanut butter.

2. Roll it in the birdseed until completely covered.

3. Slide it onto a branch.

• Why it works: It’s fully biodegradable. When the food is gone, the cardboard eventually disintegrates (or you can recycle it).

The Water Hack

Birds can eat snow for water, but it costs them precious body heat to melt it.

If you put out a bowl of warm water on Tuesday morning, you will be the most popular house on the block.

• Pro Tip: Put a ping-pong ball in the bowl. It floats and moves with the wind, which helps keep the surface from freezing over as quickly.

Fill the Gap

Nature is tough, but a little bit of sunflower seed goes a long way.

This Tuesday, fill the feeders, skip the bread, and help the locals make it to Spring.

Happy Feed the Birds Day!

Show Us Your Visitors!

Who is visiting your yard? A Cardinal? A Blue Jay? A very hungry Squirrel?

Snap a photo of your feeder setup and tag us on TikTok and Instagram at @OnManyOccasions.

We love seeing who is hungry in your neighborhood!

Plan Your February

The month is just heating up (even if the weather isn't).

The Super Bowl is this Sunday (Feb 8) and Valentine's Day is coming soon.

Get the full schedule by downloading our Free 2026 Celebration Calendar.