Fall Brings Changes for Your Backyard Birds

Fall brings more than cooler temperatures and changing leaves. It also brings remarkable changes to the lives of our backyard birds. From the foods they eat to the places they travel, autumn is a fascinating time to observe bird behavior.

Five Changes to Watch for This Fall

1. Changing Food Sources
During summer, many backyard birds rely heavily on protein-rich insects, especially when feeding their young. As fall arrives and insects become less abundant, birds increasingly turn to ripening seeds and berries.
2. Storing Food for Winter
Jays, chickadees, titmice, and nuthatches begin caching seeds for the colder months. This behavior, known as scatter-hoarding, involves hiding individual seeds in different locations.

Common hiding places include tree bark, fallen leaves, knotholes, and even spaces around homes.
3. Forming Fall and Winter Flocks
With breeding season over, many birds become less territorial and begin traveling in groups. Chickadees may join White-breasted Nuthatches, titmice, and Downy Woodpeckers in mixed-species feeding groups.

Working together helps these birds find food as they explore their surroundings.
4. Changes in Feathers and Color
Many backyard birds molt their feathers during fall. Cardinals replace their feathers while maintaining their familiar colors, while male American Goldfinches exchange their bright yellow breeding plumage for more subdued winter colors.
5. Seasonal Movement and Migration
Some birds move to nearby areas with better winter food supplies, including neighborhoods with feeders. Bluebirds may shift toward berry-rich habitats, while birds such as House Wrens migrate south in search of suitable conditions and food.

Enjoy the Changes in Your Backyard

Fall is a wonderful season for backyard birdwatching. Watch for new feeder visitors, observe changing behaviors, and enjoy the activity as birds prepare for winter.