Winter is a tough time of year for most backyard birds. Food is scarce, cold weather demands more calories just to keep warm, and the ice and snow cover what food is available. Here are some things to do to help your local birds through the winter months.

On any given day, millions of people across the country are watching birds. They are watching via bird watching clubs that they are members of. They join bird watching tours not only in their own city, but in cities and sometimes countries far away. Those really into it, plan holidays and family trips around the migration path of their favorite bird species. For these people, bird watching is addictive. Once you start, and discover the joys in it, you're hooked.

We have all seen birds fly or crash into windows. This is not only bad for the bird, but it's disturbing for the homeowner as well.  Why do birds do this, and are there some things we can do to keep birds from crashing into our windows?  Are they attacking the house, or simply don't see it?