When winter is at its most monochromatic, I appreciate birds. Their quick flitting to and from the feeders in my backyard breaks the snowy monotony. When a pair of cardinals land on the bare branches of the redbud tree, one hunkering down over the sunflower seeds while the other stands guard, their scarlet feathers provide a much-needed jolt of color that stands in stark contrast to winter’s neutral palette.
While there are particular pleasures to feeding birds in frigid weather, winter isn’t the only time Americans do so. According to the National Bird Feeding Society, which recognizes February as National Bird Feeding Month, bird feeding is a $3.8 billion, year-round industry.
Image from Oregon State University Archives on Flickr
It wasn’t always that way, however. While citizens of the world have entertained themselves for centuries by sharing breadcrumbs and cornmeal with wild birds, bird feeding in the U.S. can be traced to the mid- to late 1800s, when Henry Thoreau and others wrote about their avian encounters and birds turned up in poetry and prose. Not only were birds hunted for sport, feathers were a highly desirable element in women’s fashionable hats and accessories. Countless birds, including endangered and exotic species, were slaughtered to adorn women’s clothing. Thanks to efforts of ornithologists, Audubon Societies and writers including Florence Merriam Bailey, awareness grew that without protection many bird species risked extinction. The result was the first federal law protecting wildlife, the Lacey Act of 1900.
Image from UW Collections on Flickr
Attention to these issues also increased the public’s appreciation for nature in general and birds in particular. Simple wooden trays on posts began appearing in backyards and the Nature Study Movement, which emphasized learning through “nature, not books,” meant that school children’s science lessons increasingly included exploration of the world around them. Birds, which survive in cityscapes and countryside alike, were readily available for study and feeding them brought them in close for observation and appreciation.
In the 1910s and 1920s, small businesses grew around bird feeding, but when the Depression hit, feeding birds took a back seat to feeding one’s family. As the economy recovered the industry did too, and by the 1950, as prosperity and home ownership grew, birdfeeders sprouted alongside barbecues in American backyards. While wild birds typically had been fed leftover chicken feed or corn meal, the bird feeding industry began to grow sunflower seeds and grains specifically for birds.
Image from the State Library of New South Wales on Flickr
Though there has been some controversy about wild bird feeding, author, conservationist and birder Paul Baicich says while wild birds don’t need us to sustain them through the winter, feeding them doesn’t harm them. “We’re doing it mostly because it brings them closer to us in our backyards and gives us a lot of enjoyment,” he says. “Feeding birds can give you a different orientation toward wildness and nature.”
And, I find, a different orientation towards winter. When I’m indoors so much at this time of year, my head in a book or my eyes glued to my computer, there is nothing like a red bird against a white background to sharpen my senses and remind me that the natural world is still fresh and alive, right in my own backyard.
118 comments
Sign in to add your ownJudiPaintedit says:
Its like a little history lesson..
1 year ago
thelittlemarket says:
Lovely article!! We very much enjoy feeding the wild birds in our neighborhood with our toddler daughter!!
1 year ago
ikabags says:
Wonderful ! Many thanks, love birds !
1 year ago
candacejean says:
I adore all those old photos! Bird feeding is a favorite pastime at my house. Those 'lil birds can sure be gluttons come wintertime though. ;) Thanks for this neat article!!
1 year ago
VintageMarketPlace says:
beautifully written and amazing pictures too!
1 year ago
polkadotmagpie says:
I love everything about birds! Thanks for remembering us in this nasty weather. xo :> :>
1 year ago
rosebudshome says:
Love to feed the birds all year round and learned a lot from my Dad about them. It's something that brought my Dad and I closer together, he is gone now but I still have fond memories of us talking about our hobby.
1 year ago
ErikaPrice says:
I love feeding the birds!
1 year ago
ErikaPrice says:
A great post - and some lovely birdie finds - especially the corn silk saltbox house!
1 year ago
ThePolkadotMagpie says:
Love the Oregon State archive. It's a wonderful reference for bird making art...or art making birds. Love this blog, Linzee!
1 year ago
stellaandlux says:
beautifully written article. thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
ErikaPriceOriginals says:
Really enjoyed reading this - I've just finished making "fat balls" for our little birds - blue tits, great tits, robins, and so on :)
1 year ago
DecadesOfVintage says:
Lovely article. Great vintage pictures Interesting etsy items Thank you
1 year ago
maggiemaevintage says:
I enjoy the different variety of birds that are attracted to my backyard.
1 year ago
Mclovebuddy says:
beautiful pictures, sweet photos of birds hanging out on humans. :) love the article.
1 year ago
STLvintage says:
Love the pictures and very well written!
1 year ago
VivaGailBeads says:
Thank you for this lovely article!
1 year ago
VintageEye says:
I do love my feathered back yard friends!
1 year ago
Floreal says:
The pictures are awesome!
1 year ago
JamiesArt says:
wonderful article and great pictures! Thank you
1 year ago
genisepark says:
I love feeding birds especially in the winter. Great article.
1 year ago
myvintagecrush says:
Great article! I live away from the city now and so appretiate the serenity of the birds flying by and chirping in the trees, I love it!
1 year ago
MorganNichole says:
love the pictures and article.
1 year ago
litapsilverj says:
Great article! We feed our birds year round. I get so much inspiration watching my little feathered children feeding in our yard!
1 year ago
sarantos says:
I love feeding the birds. They like to drink out of our fish pond too.
1 year ago
TheMillineryShop says:
I am so happy to see this article. I have been Tweeting that people must remember to feed the birds when there is snow on the ground. And the crimson cardinals in my yard are the reward in an otherwise bleak landscape.
1 year ago
birdie1 says:
Lovely post ~ thank you! Our feeders here in the Midwest have been very active with cardinals, bluejays, little juncos and goldfinches (even though they have their brown coats on now)
1 year ago
oaties says:
wow, both bird feeders are so magical..
1 year ago
jelene says:
cool article! i just came in from feeding the birds here.. just saw the cutest chickadees and carolina wrens!
1 year ago
JaneCooney says:
What a great article!
1 year ago
KathyGDesigns says:
I enjoyed the article. The old photos are great!
1 year ago
YourBeeswax says:
Thank you for this article and I love the photographs! Backyard birdwatching is a favorite activity in my neighborhood.
1 year ago
RPotterStudio says:
Great article and photos..was just loving the birds in the snow today..special creatures that they are. :)
1 year ago
TheLandofG says:
I am Vet Tech to birds by day, Etsian by night. Thanks for remembering our little birds in the winter.
1 year ago
BlueTerracotta says:
Great article and photos! Even in the city, there are birds that come to eat what I put out at the window, especially when it's very cold or snowy. It's such a pleasure to watch them.
1 year ago
ThoseThreeWords says:
Lovely article (from the lady with the bird avatar, hehe!). I especially enjoyed the photographs and the history behind it. We have a tiny patch of woods just out our kitchen window, and love watching the cardinals this time of year!
1 year ago
AlissaRose says:
Love the photos! off to check my hummingbird feeder!
1 year ago
PlumeandPetals says:
Beautiful Photos and lovely article!~
1 year ago
SugarCubeVintage says:
tweet tweet!
1 year ago
AmandaSainsbury says:
Love feeding the birds! We've just taken part in this this last weekend: http://www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch/
1 year ago
kathyjohnson3 says:
What cute birds! We too have many a birdfeeder in our yard, thanks for the article!
1 year ago
cakemates says:
great article!
1 year ago
Ffotograff says:
Love it!!!
1 year ago
e5jewel says:
Very nice read-I always say good morning and hello to the birds-they are the first to sing in the morning and share the joy! Thanks for sharing :)
1 year ago
dahlies says:
Treasury designed for National Bird Feeding Month: http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d48745bf5436d914429ad3d/national-bird-feeding-month
1 year ago
zwzzy says:
Oh man, I love bird watching & feeding! My friend and I always buy a bag of wild seeds when we go to the lake. Just remember - bread is bad for ducks & geese! Bring them cracked corn! ;)
1 year ago
madebykim says:
i love birdies!
1 year ago
TheIDconnection says:
I love this, takes me back home to Ohio in the winter. Great! Monica theIDConnection
1 year ago
strawberryluna says:
What a lovely article, thank you so much. I am an avid bird feeder, I have feeders here at home and also at my studio and nothing makes me happier than a full house of hungry and chirping birds. I love the variety that changes during the year too, and definitely keep my guide book to PA birds (a gift from my husband) close at hand so I can identify them all. Thanks for this article!
1 year ago
tkrdesigns says:
Nice article. We also feed the birds, and chipmunks, and squirrels, and turkeys, all year round at our home in the western mountains of Maine.
1 year ago
pinkbijou says:
I love the photos, and i adore birds too
1 year ago
soule says:
Awww.... I LOVE the picture with the birds sitting on the mans hat!
1 year ago
shannondzikas says:
Great choice of photos to go with the blog! I agree with you soule, that man is the sweetest!
1 year ago
accentonvintage says:
I am totally in love with wild birds and love watching them! Great article!
1 year ago
TrudyAnnDesigns says:
Loved both the article and photos, my bird feeder is right by my kitchen window love to sit and just watch the lovely creatures enjoy a meal.
1 year ago
fluxglass says:
Nice article and collection! Thank you!
1 year ago
mayasideas says:
I loved this article. My dad put a bird feeder out side in our yard when I was younger. I enjoyed the birdies going in and out of the birdhouse getting their food!
1 year ago
MJSGems says:
Great article I've always enjoyed feeding the birds
1 year ago
daydreamjewels says:
Great article! I love birds and love watching them flying in my backyard, they have inspired many of my jewelry designs :)
1 year ago
LaBellaTerra says:
Really nice article. Thank you. I love birds unfortunately so do the cats in my neighborhood. My feeders are way up high & not close to anything where a cat can perch. Bright joy filled creatures are birds!
1 year ago
theroyal says:
birds and bees time eh
1 year ago
HibouCards says:
great article and it's funny because I just finished a new plush... a pigeon!
1 year ago
AnnTig says:
Thank you for sharing!
1 year ago
TheOnly says:
Love this selection of photos. I love old style.
1 year ago
WoodlandCottage says:
I'd like to acknowledge the contribution of Roger Tory Peterson, who realized one could identify a bird by the different colored feathers on a live bird--without the need to shoot the bird to identify it! It revolutionized birdwatching as we know it. I love those little feathered guys (and gals)! Thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
anickascottage says:
Great article, thanks! But, I feed the Birds and the cute squirrels as well!
1 year ago
lovelygifts says:
Great article! Cute birds!
1 year ago
TheVinylChalkboard says:
I love this article! Great stuff!
1 year ago
BambuEarth says:
Sweet article. :)
1 year ago
1848jewelry says:
Great article! Fabulous hat!!
1 year ago
poorjimsvintage says:
give it to the birds.
1 year ago
heatherstephenson says:
great article was just admiring the nuthatch outside this afternoon
1 year ago
blessedvintage says:
Maybe birds remind us of freedom?
1 year ago
marasdesigns says:
thanks, i love to feed the birds.
1 year ago
vboriginals says:
Wonderful article! Those pictures are very cool too. Life is to short to not watch the birds! Thanks!
1 year ago
Parachute425 says:
I have a lovely Cardinal couple outside my window that keep me company all year. And a dove duo that are so cute snuggled in my evergreen.
1 year ago
earthnskystudio says:
Very informative article. I've always LOVED watching birds & hearing them sing in their various voices. And winter is an especially nice time to hear their songs outside my window. Thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
designsbyJess says:
Love my backyard birds!
1 year ago
BackyardBrand says:
Backyard Brand® approves. Best Regards, The Backyard Harmonica Teacher
1 year ago
natskreations says:
I have all sorts of Gourd Birdhouses and birdfeeders in my yard and my studio!The birds love the natural look and feel of a gourd birdhouse.When I'm painting in my studio out back I so enjoy seeing and hearing all the different birds that migrate to Florida to avoid all that "Cold" weather.Love this post!!
1 year ago
ScotlandUK says:
What a loely article and beautifully worded from one who really adores these little creatures. Many thanks for this insight into the birdfeeding world in the US. I partcularly like the old photo avove where the man is deep in thought about this tiny little bird in his hand. Many thanks
1 year ago
TheHappyAcorn says:
I am in love with that photo of the Kingfishers. I used to see one all the time in the same spot on an electric wire over a pond. I just love them.
1 year ago
frommylifetoyours says:
love the history lesson. I can see that red bird on the feed with the white background right now , how beautiful
1 year ago
NaturesCubbyhole says:
Excellent article, I love the vintage photos and particularly that of the gentleman covered in songbirds, what a touching photograph! Thank you for the lovely history lesson and visualizations!
1 year ago
BirdhousesByGlenn says:
Great article, love the birds!
1 year ago
OliveSomeday says:
these are great images!
1 year ago
tfamily5 says:
I love birds! Make sure you don't have bird feeders that you don't keep full though. The birds become dependant on your feed and when it's not there they really forget how to feed themselves.
1 year ago
ornithologie says:
Wonderful article, the Kingfisher's in a Row are priceless.
1 year ago
dearpumpernickel says:
Sweet sweet photos and wonderful article for bird lovers, thanks!
1 year ago
kidlee says:
birds do make a real difference in our world. it's so nice to read an article about them on etsy. very refreshing! thank you!
1 year ago
camilladesigns says:
I tried to feed the scrub jays that live around my yard, but when my seeds attracted a neighborhood rodent instead, I decided to stop.
1 year ago
SewMuchMoreDecor says:
Hehe, great pictures! Thanks so much for sharing :)
1 year ago
CoyoteChy says:
My Mom is Bird Lady and as of this week I am Bird Lady Jr.! I woke up in a frenzy this morning making sure I had enough peanut butter pine cones and seed in my feeder. It was a -2 degrees!
1 year ago
randomosity says:
Those photos are so cool. Talk about perfect timing for this blog post. I just read it after I published a slideshow of the cardinals and other birds in the snow in my backyard. I love the red cardinals against the white snow. If you're interested, here is the link: http://www.associatedcontent.com/slideshow/76876/my_backyard_birds_in_northwest_ohio.html?cat=32 Not trying to spam, though, so feel free to delete my comment if it goes against policy to post links. I just thought you might be interested. :) Happy bird-watching!
1 year ago
shop1848 says:
Wonderful article! Great images!
1 year ago
MontclairMade says:
thanks for sharing my bird field guide garland! very cool article!
1 year ago
girliepains says:
Will have to repost!
1 year ago
111collagedesign says:
Great article :) I just got a bird feeder this winter to give back to all the birdies who have been inspiring my art for so long!
1 year ago
emerald3358 says:
Thanks for the beautiful article. I love feeding the birds in my backyard! At present I am sitting with my coffee at the kitchen table looking at our bird feeders and the birdies. It's a wonderful morning ritual for me.
1 year ago
Hollyrocks says:
I love this article! I have found so much inspiration from my little backyard habitat.
1 year ago
arsniccandy says:
I looooove birds. Great article. I love the first foto of all the kingfishers:)
1 year ago
ForsythiaHill says:
i love this post and all the cool old photos - i feed the birds suet -- even the big old crows come - which i love!
1 year ago
5gardenias says:
sweet sweet birds-- i feed my little friends and adore watching them-- thanks for the great post!
1 year ago
EternalLove12 says:
i love some of your picture with the birds. I do feed my birds and also we have couple of squirrells came to the bird feeder with corncob. I never complain about that. I have plently of foods for every birds and squirrells. : )
1 year ago
finefeatheredfinds says:
Very nice blog! I also feed the birds and really enjoy that little time outside filling the feeders and hearing the gleeful bird songs as soon as I open the door in the morning. It's as if they know I am going to bring them a treat. Birds are so wonderful. All this cold and snow, they don't even complain, they just sing!
1 year ago
debbiehillsgarden says:
I have been enjoying my birds this winter, especially on snowy days..i've even had BLUEBIRDS come to my feeders, and that's a first! Thanks for the nice article and pics!
1 year ago
mofunkdesigns says:
Thanks for the article. I agree with the above... please don't feed bread as it clogs up the works in their crops. Consider planting some of the local native plants in your backyard to provide natural food and habitat for our lovely precious birds.
1 year ago
Heavenlytreasures123 says:
Great article!! We also love feeding and watching our birds of all colors and kinds . we have had some beautiful robins this year. This article takes us back in history and that makes it even more interesting! thanks for posting!
1 year ago
frecklesoriginals says:
Beautifully written. Those old photos are amazing. We have taken so much from the birds it's only right to help them out a little during the cold weather.I have added a Blue Rock Thrush to my list this week. Pam
1 year ago
samsstuff says:
Interesting & informative article!
1 year ago
GalleonGal says:
birds, wake us with song, fly in artistic formation above us, they must be hungry and the weather has been dreadful, Wonderful article
1 year ago
BRHDesigns says:
I love feeding birds as well and was so lucky last year to have several painted buntings at my feeders (Florida) for a few weeks! Thank you for a great article.
1 year ago
Bumbleweedz says:
sweet tweet
1 year ago
PrettyLoot says:
I love birds! I love to feed them, too!
1 year ago
artropology says:
Very interesting. I did not know that February is recognized as national bird feeding month. I know that the birds that I feed Pine Siskin, American Goldfinch, Carolina Chicadee, Blackcapped Chickadee, tufted titmouse, woodpecker,downy woodpecker, and occasional purple finch have eaten more sunflower seeds than in the previous months.
1 year ago
AKingsThings says:
A nice pause in the day...birds can do that for us. Great photos also. Thanks.
1 year ago