Residents, migrants and in-between birds
“Winter birds” can mean two different things: the birds that stay in your area all year, and the birds that arrive only for the cold months. Most backyards have a mix of both.
It helps to think of three broad patterns:
- Residents stay in roughly the same area year-round. Northern cardinals, chickadees and most woodpeckers are typical examples.
- Migrants travel between breeding and wintering areas. Some go thousands of miles, while others move only a short way south or down a mountain.
- Irregular or irruptive visitors move in some winters and not others, often depending on food supplies such as cone or seed crops. Pine siskins and redpolls are often described this way.
These categories are not rigid. A species can be a resident in one part of its range and a migrant in another, and even within one species some individuals leave while others stay.
Birds that commonly stay through winter
In much of North America, the birds below are frequently seen at feeders in winter. Which ones you get depends on where you live.
- Northern cardinal: a year-round resident in much of the eastern and central United States.
- Black-capped and Carolina chickadees: small, active and regular feeder visitors.
- Tufted titmouse and white-breasted nuthatch: common companions of chickadees in mixed winter flocks.
- Downy and hairy woodpeckers: often found at suet feeders and on tree trunks.
- Blue jay: many stay, though some move south in winter.
- House finch and house sparrow: common around buildings and feeders.
- Mourning dove: often feeds on the ground beneath feeders.
For a longer, scannable list with identification cues, see our winter birds list for your backyard.
Birds that arrive for winter
Some birds breed farther north and spend winter in places that are milder, though not necessarily warm.
- Dark-eyed junco: a slate-gray sparrow with a white belly and white outer tail feathers. Juncos are widely nicknamed “snowbirds” because many appear in the lower United States as cold weather arrives. This is the usual answer when people ask what bird is called a snowbird.
- American tree sparrow: a winter visitor to much of the northern United States that feeds on seeds near the ground.
- White-throated sparrow: many breed in the north and winter farther south.
- Snow bunting: breeds in the Arctic and can be seen in open fields and shorelines in some winters.
- Snowy owl: an Arctic species that occasionally moves farther south in some winters.
- Pine siskin, common redpoll and crossbills: finches that wander in search of seed crops.
Note that “snowbird” is also a common name for people who travel south for the winter, which is where the name comes from.
Why some birds migrate and others stay
Food is the main driver. Birds that rely on flying insects have few options when insects disappear, so many insect-eaters migrate. Birds that can eat seeds, buds, bark insects and stored food are more likely to stay.
Some stay-at-home birds also have useful habits. Chickadees and jays hide food and return to it later. Woodpeckers and nuthatches find insects and larvae in bark. Many species form mixed flocks in winter, which may help them find food and watch for predators.
Hummingbirds are a good contrast: most North American species leave, because their food (nectar and small insects) becomes scarce. A few species do overwinter in some regions.
How winter birds stay warm
Small birds lose heat quickly, so they have several ways to cope:
- Fluffing feathers traps a layer of insulating air.
- Shivering generates heat, which needs a steady supply of energy from food.
- Roosting in shelter such as dense evergreens, tree cavities or birdhouses reduces exposure to wind.
- Tucking in the bill and feet reduces the amount of exposed surface.
- Eating more during short winter days, especially high-fat and high-energy foods.
Some small species may roost together in cavities on very cold nights.
Helping winter birds in your yard
You do not need to do everything, but a few basics are widely recommended:
- Offer high-energy food. Black oil sunflower seed, suet and shelled or chopped nuts are common choices.
- Keep feeders stocked consistently. Birds may come to depend on regular food during harsh weather, so try not to let feeders go empty during cold snaps.
- Provide unfrozen water. A heated birdbath, or fresh water changed regularly, can be valuable when natural water is frozen.
- Keep feeders clean. Brush off snow and discard wet, moldy seed. Clean feeders regularly, because dirty feeders can spread disease. See do wild birds get fleas and mites for more on parasites and feeder hygiene.
- Leave some cover. Evergreens, brush piles and dense shrubs give shelter from wind and predators.
Common questions
What kind of birds stay in the winter?
Many familiar backyard birds stay, including cardinals, chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, woodpeckers, blue jays and house finches. The exact mix depends on your region.
What birds are associated with winter?
Cardinals against the snow, juncos, chickadees and snowy owls are common images of winter. Dark-eyed juncos in particular are often called snowbirds.
Can you name 10 migratory birds?
Examples include the ruby-throated hummingbird, barn swallow, Baltimore oriole, scarlet tanager, American robin (in many northern areas), Canada goose, sandhill crane, osprey, Swainson’s hawk and the Arctic tern. Some of these, such as robins and Canada geese, only partly migrate depending on location.