February is a bit of a ‘bridge’ month in the birding world. In many parts of the US, it’s still firmly coat-and-scarf weather, but the birds? Well, many of our feathered neighbors are reacting to the subtle lengthening of daylight. Think of it as a biological alarm clock telling them that the long winter wait is coming to an end at long last.
If you’re the kind of person who loves nothing more than watching them flit around your yard (hey, we’re also guilty of this!), then you’ll likely be wondering which birds you should watch out for as they return to gardens in February. The answer honestly depends on how you welcome them.
Think about it: natural food sources like wild berries and seeds are at their lowest point right now, which means your backyard can become a vital sanctuary for these high-energy travelers. So, if you want to turn your space into the neighborhood’s hottest avian destination, keep your binoculars near the window and your feeders topped off with high-fat fuel. You never know; you might just spot your birth month bird among them!
7 Birds to Watch Out for as They Return to Gardens in February
From the bold, whistled “cheer-cheer” of a cardinal to the rhythmic drumming of a woodpecker staking out a claim, here are seven feathered friends to look for this month.
We’ve also thrown in a few tips on how best to roll out the red carpet for them, just for good measure. You’re welcome.
1. Northern Cardinals
(Image credit: Bonnie Taylor Barry / Shutterstock)
Let’s get this out of the way quickly, as these pretty red birds don’t technically ‘return’; they stay put all winter. February, however, is when their behavior changes, as the males start singing much more loudly and frequently to defend their territory. Their bright red feathers against the late-winter snow make for a truly striking sight, but they’ll often come feed in pairs, so keep an eye out for the brownish females, too.
If you want to attract cardinals to your garden, remember that black oil sunflower seeds are their absolute favorite food. They prefer stable, stationary feeders rather than swinging ones, too, as they like a solid place to perch.
2. Downy Woodpeckers
(Image credit: Michael Warren/Getty Images)
The smallest and most agile of the North American woodpeckers, the Downy is a year-round regular that really starts to make its presence known in February. This is the month when the woods (and your backyard) start to ring with their rhythmic drumming (hey, not every musician is a singer). Keep an eye out for their tuxedo-like black-and-white patterns; the males are easy to spot thanks to a small, dapper patch of bright red on the back of their heads.
Nature’s Way Bird Products
Cedar Suet Upside-Down Bird Feede
This feeder is a brilliant way to attract clinging birds such as woodpeckers and chickadees.
High-energy suet in a hanging feeder or upside-down suet cage like the one above is your best bet for attracting these acrobatic birds to your garden, as they crave that concentrated fat. Especially if it comes with a side of peanuts or mealworms.
3. Bluebirds
(Image credit: Kevin M McCarthy / Shutterstock)
Bluebirds are the ultimate “heralds of spring” and, while some stay year-round in the South, February is when northern populations start scouting for real estate. They are looking for cavities to nest in, and they are picky about their neighborhoods. If you’d like to try, though, pop up a nesting box in an open area: you want a clear flight path to the door.
A little food never hurts, either. While they aren’t big on birdseed, pop out a dedicated mealworm feeder like this one and they’ll be your pals for life.
4. Nuthatches
(Image credit: suefeldberg/Getty Images)
Known for their unique ability to head down a tree trunk as easily as they go up, these blue-grey and white birds are a joy to watch in February. This is when they begin their “yank-yank” nasal calls in earnest, searching for a mate or… well, let’s call it reaffirming a soul bond with an existing partner (hey, it’s the month of romance, right?).
To attract these gravity-defying friends, you’ll want to offer cracked walnuts, peanuts, or sunflower seeds. A platform feeder or a tube feeder with large ports works best for them, and they are especially fond of feeders attached directly to the trunk of a large tree, where they feel most at home.
Bird Garden Essentials:
Sweetfull
Hanging Metal Bird Feeder
Combine function and visual elegance with this pretty 2-in-1 feeder and solar light. Perfect for cardinals, it has a classy vintage Mediterranean vibe, good drainage, and a lovely splashguard.
Armstrong
Premium Blend Bird Food
If you don’t feel up for creating your own bird food mix, this store bought option is a great choice.
Dreamysoul
Bird Rain Chain
Something special for your birdies, this charming copper rain catcher has 8 large cups for collecting water for your feathered chums and it looks really pretty twinkling in the garden.
5. American Robins
(Image credit: Michael Lee / Getty Images)
You might see a few robins hanging around all winter, but in February, their behavior undergoes a major shift and they should start reappearing in backyards. While we often think of them as the first sign of spring, these early arrivals are usually “scout” males looking to stake out the best territories before the females arrive. So, if you hear a robin singing its full, liquid song at dawn this month, he’s officially announcing that the neighborhood is open for business.
As the ground is often still frozen or covered in snow, many robins will find that they can’t get to their favorite earthworms yet. To help them out, dig a patch of soil over (if you can), and offer chopped apples, soaked raisins, or suet nuggets on a low tray feeder or even scattered on a cleared patch of ground.
Most importantly, pop out a birdbath (we like this hanging solar bird bath and its fountain from Etsy) and some water: it’s a little luxury that will bring every robin in the zip code straight to your door.
6. Dark-Eyed Juncos
(Image credit: Darrell Gulin / Getty Images)
Affectionately known as snowbirds, dark-eyed juncos – who will have spent the last few months brightening up the winter landscape – have already begun checking their maps and getting ready to head back to their breeding grounds in Canada, the northernmost US states, or higher mountain elevations.
As they are among the first to leave when the weather turns, now is the time to enjoy their busy, hopping energy before they disappear until the fall. To give them a proper send-off, sprinkle some white proso millet or fine sunflower chips on a low platform feeder or directly on a cleared patch of ground.
Offering a little extra fuel now helps them build up the fat reserves they need for their migration flight, ensuring they’re in top shape for the journey ahead. And we all want that for them, don’t we?
7. Tree Swallows
(Image credit: Ali Majdfar/Getty Images)
If you live in the Southern US or along the coasts, the arrival of the tree swallow is the definitive “grand opening” of the spring season. Honestly, the sight of those iridescent blue-green backs that shimmer like jewels in the late February sun? Perfection.
Unlike the other birds on this list, you won’t see tree swallows at your seed feeders: they are strictly insectivores (we’ve decided it’s a word), catching their meals on the wing. However, they are deeply invested in finding the perfect home, so be sure to provide nesting boxes early.
You’ll ideally want two about 5 to 20 feet apart, to avoid any neighborly feuds. Luckily, this Cedar Bird House from Amazon comes as a pack of two!
February may be the shortest month of the year, but for a backyard birder, it’s often the most rewarding. And, with every new song or flash of color against the snow serving as a reminder that the world is waking up, there are more than enough reasons to offer a little extra fuel to your feathered friends… not least of all the fact they’re more likely to return throughout the year if you care for them now.
