Winter Birding in Omaha: A Guide from Crinda of For The Wild Birds

Winter in Omaha brings quiet mornings, frosty landscapes, and if you know how to look for them, an incredible variety of birdlife. During our Winter Bird Feeding Seminar, Crinda, owner of For The Wild Birds, walked attendees through everything you need to know to support and enjoy the birds that spend winter in our city. Whether you’re a seasoned backyard birder or a curious beginner, this recap gives you the highlights and most helpful tips from the presentation.

Why Winter Birding Matters

Winter is one of the most rewarding seasons for birdwatching. With leaves gone from the trees, birds are easier to see, and many species rely more heavily on feeders, water, and shelter provided by humans. Omaha’s fluctuating winter weather makes these resources especially important, and every feeder or heated birdbath truly makes a difference.

Who You’ll See at Your Feeders

Crinda shared a lineup of the most common and beloved winter birds in Omaha, along with what attracts them:

Backyard Regulars

• Black-capped Chickadees – Small, bold, and charming; they love tube feeders with black-oil sunflower or suet.

• Tufted Titmice – Social flockmates of chickadees; fans of sunflower and peanuts.

• White-breasted Nuthatches – Known for climbing down tree trunks headfirst; enjoy sunflower and peanuts from suet cages or tubes.

• Downy & Hairy Woodpeckers – Frequent suet visitors (suet is almost a must for them!).

• Northern Cardinals – Icons of winter; prefer hopper or platform feeders with sunflower or safflower.

Ground Feeders

• Dark-eyed Juncos (“Snowbirds”) – Arriving with the first cold snap; love millet and cracked corn on the ground but also need sustenance from sunflower and peanuts to survive.

• Mourning Doves – Gentle, ground-feeding birds that appreciate millet and corn but also need sustenance from sunflower and peanuts to survive.

Finches & Colorful Visitors

• House Finches and American Goldfinches – Thrilled by nyjer and hulled sunflower; goldfinches turn a subtle olive-brown in winter.

• Blue Jays – Peanut enthusiasts and bold winter personalities.

Occasional Winter Guests

• American Robins – Many overwinter in Omaha; especially attracted to mealworms and berries.

• Eastern Bluebirds – Some stay year-round; they love mealworms but water is the best way to lure them closer.

• Winter Wrens – Tiny, curious birds that may explore suet near dense cover.

Best Winter Foods (And What to Skip)

Crinda emphasized that winter feeding is all about energy-rich foods:

Top Choices

• Black-oil sunflower - the universal favorite

• Peanuts - high-protein fuel for woodpeckers, nuthatches, titmice

• Suet - essential for cold-weather survival

• Nyjer - perfect for finch flocks

• Safflower - cardinal-friendly and less tempting to squirrels

Use Sparingly or Avoid

• Cheap seed mixes dominated by millet

• Large amounts of cracked corn

• Any seed that's old, moldy, or clumped (can spread disease)

Quality over quantity truly pays off in winter.

Choosing the Right Feeders

A balanced backyard setup might include:

• 1–2 tube feeders with black-oil sunflower

• 1 nyjer feeder for finches

• 1 hopper or platform feeder for cardinals and larger species

• 1–2 suet feeders hung near trees

• A ground or low platform space for juncos and doves

Why Unfrozen Water Is a Lifesaver

In winter, liquid water can be more important to birds than food.

Since melting snow burns precious energy, offering a heated birdbath dramatically improves winter survival. Birds also need water to preen (clean feathers trap insulating air), which keeps them warm.

Tips from the seminar:

• Use a heated bath or drop-in de-icer

• Keep water shallow with sloped sides

• Encourage bathing earlier in the day on very cold mornings

How Birds Survive Winter Nights

Small birds maintain internal temperatures similar to humans, even on subzero nights. To do that, they:

• Boost metabolism

• Eat constantly through the day

• Build up fat stores each evening, which act as “overnight fuel”

Some species even use torpor, a temporary drop in body temperature that conserves energy. As Crinda noted, the woodpecker you might see clinging motionless to a tree during a storm is likely conserving every bit of heat.

Shelter, Roosting, and “Winter Housing”

Different species use different strategies:

Cavity Nesters (chickadees, nuthatches, woodpeckers, bluebirds)

• Natural tree holes

• Old nest boxes

• Special roosting boxes

Non-Cavity Species (cardinals, robins, jays, doves)

• Dense evergreens

• Brush piles

• Thick shrubs

One great tip from the talk:
Put your old Christmas tree outside near your feeding station. It becomes instant cover and you can hang edible ornaments or seed bells on it!

Keeping Birds Safe from Window Collisions

reflections of sky and trees can fool birds.

Crinda recommends:

• Applying window decals, gems, or tape

• Keeping patterns spaced 2–4 inches apart (close enough for birds to recognize as a barrier)

• Positioning feeders near protective cover

Winter Bird Facts to Share with Kids (and Adults!)

• Goldfinches turn drab in winter to blend in and avoid predators.

• Puffed-up birds aren’t just cute, they’re insulating themselves by trapping air in their feathers.

• Many birds eat up to half their body weight daily just to survive the night.

• Mixed-species winter flocks act like neighborhood watch groups, sharing alarm calls and discovering food sources together.

• Some birds roost in groups inside cavities or boxes for added warmth.

You Can Make a Real Difference This Winter

Providing food, water, and shelter (especially during cold snaps) can dramatically change a bird’s chances of surviving the season. Every feeder, heated birdbath, and backyard brush pile helps.

If you’d like guidance choosing the right seed, suet, feeders, heated baths, roost boxes, or window safety products, stop by For The Wild Birds. Crinda and the team are always happy to help you build a bird-friendly backyard that thrives even in the chilliest months.