Gardeners tend to watch what is going on outside. That is probably the reason many gardeners feed birds. One of the best reasons for feeding birds is the joy of seeing and identifying them. The number of songbird species has dropped drastically in the last 100 years due to habitat loss so feeding birds may contribute to their survival as well. Weather is not a constant so feeding shouldn't be either. Pay attention! Birds can actually be tired out and can loose much of their body weight after a wind or snow storm. You can help them survive the winter now so they can reproduce later. What a thrill!
I know some of you live in communities with rat problems. You need to obey local ordinances of course. Please understand that feeding birds means taking on responsibility. Use feeders that don't spill seeds on the ground. and feeders that rodents can't climb. I don't keep feeders filled but prefer to fill them only part way. This forces me to keep an eye on the feeders and the birds. I clean out each feeder before I add more food. This is good sanitation. I don't want to be responsible for making birds ill!
There are different types of feeders: tube, tray, and hopper. Tube and tray feeders tend to attract smaller birds. Some models allow seed to get wet, another reason why I don't fill any feeder all the way. Some of the newer feeders have a hood over the top which protects the food from snow and rain.
Don't forget suet feeding for birds. Why suet? Its high fat content gives birds much needed calories which they need not only during the winter but in the spring when natural food supplies are often exhausted resulting in an enormous competition for food. You can purchase several types of suet feeders or make your own .
Some folks worry that feeding birds will affect their migrations. According to the American Audubon Society, feeding birds does not affect their biological clocks which is the mechanism that causes some bird species to migrate at certain times of the year. Biological clocks and hormone levels are affected by changes in day length and temperature rather than the available food. That's the reason you begin to see some bird species beginning to congregate as early as August. (I am curious however about Canada geese. They were endangered 100 years ago due to overhunting and habitat destruction. Presently some stay year round in some localities. Is this due to people feeding them? A change in the genetics of some populations?)
Another concern is whether feeding birds makes them so dependent that they will be unable to forage for food if you stop. Don't worry. In the wild, food sources become depleted as birds use them up. They move on. If you stop feeding the birds will simply look for food elsewhere.
The kinds of birds that are most often attracted to backyard birdfeeders are black-capped chickadees, tufted titmice, white-breasted nuthatches, American goldfinches, mourning doves, downy and hairy woodpeckers, blue jays, house finches, northern cardinals, slate-colored juncos and American tree sparrows. If you are new to birdwatching I suggest you start small perhaps with just one feeder. Have binoculars ready at he viewing window. Don't forget a notebook! By the way when folks ask you what gifts you may want for the holidays you could mention bird feeders, books on birds, binoculars, and even a video cam. And you thought only digging in the dirt was fun!