Pumpkin and winter squash belong to the Cucurbitaceae plant family, also known as the gourd family.
LayLa Burgess, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson Extension
We’ve set our clocks back an hour with the end of day-light-savings time. Thanksgiving is a recent memory, and the day length continues to shorten as the winter solstice (December 21st) approaches. Now that winter temperatures are setting in, activity in the landscape is slowing, to a minimal pace at times, for both gardeners and wildlife.
With cooler temperatures becoming the norm, bird diversity and abundance shifts as food resources become less available. While some bird species migrate to warmer climates where food resources are more abundant, others do not exhibit this behavior and stay. Since South Carolina does not usually experience extended periods of freezing temperatures during the winter months, many birds, adapted to SC winters, remain here year-round. These birds are proficient at using available resources for food and shelter during the winter season. Nonetheless, bird traffic slows during the short, cold days, and we see fewer birds in our backyards.
Sporadic, bright, warm winter days spark life back into the landscape, if only for a few hours. Birds flit about, scouring trees in hopes of a quick snack before settling back into their warm sheltered nests.
Cucurbits and harvest flower bouquets make fantastic holiday decorations.
LayLa Burgess, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson Extension
It just so happens this Halloween and Thanksgiving season left me with a few extra pie pumpkins and winter squash. Having seen previous ideas on transforming just such cucurbits into winter birdfeeders, I thought, why not give it a try? Here are the steps to creating your own.
Step 1: Prepare for the cut
A sharp knife makes a clean slice when cutting pumpkins and winter squash in half.
LayLa Burgess, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson Extension
A pumpkin scoop or spoon is efficient for removing seeds.
LayLa Burgess, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Step 2: Scoop the interior
Remove all seeds and smooth the insides of the cucurbit for a finished look—roast pumpkin seeds for a tasty snack.
LayLa Burgess, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Step 3: Add a place to perch
Use sharp pruners to cut twigs or wooden dowels and insert them through the side of the cucurbit to form a perch. Fill with birdseed at this stage or after placement.
LayLa Burgess, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Step 4: Devise a method for placement
Use twine or ribbon cut into two equal lengths to hang the birdfeeder. Then, secure them to the bottom of the cucurbit with a push pin or nail. Pull twine or ribbon together and tie in a knot with a loop for hanging.
LayLa Burgess, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Step 5: Fill with seed and wait for the excitement
Suspend birdfeeders from secure tree branches or metal hangers.
LayLa Burgess, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Patiently wait for backyard birds to visit. You may find that squirrels become interested as well.
LayLa Burgess, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Placing the birdfeeder in the crotch of a tree is an option.
LayLa Burgess, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Simple tools and supervision make this craft a child-friendly activity or fun for the whole family. Share a few moments discussing the differences between bird species and their winter behavior.
The South Carolina Wildlife Federation maintains a list of common winter backyard birds for SC. Songbirds, in particular, may be attracted to winter birdfeeders.
- American Crow
- American Goldfinch
- American Roin
- Black Vulture
- Blue-headed Vireo
- Blue Jay
- Brown Creeper
- Brown Thrasher
- Brown-headed Nuthatch
- Carolina Chickadee
- Carolina Wren
- Cedar Waxwing
- Chipping Sparrow
- Dark-Eyed Junco
- Downy Woodpecker
- Eastern Bluebird
- Eastern Phoebe
- Eastern Towhee
- House Finch
- Mourning Dove
- Northern Red Cardinal
- Northern Flicker
- Northern Mockingbird
- Pileated Woodpecker
- Pine Siskin
- Pine Warbler
- Red-bellied Woodpecker
- Red-breasted Nuthatch
- Red-headed Woodpecker
- Red-winged Blackbird
- Ruby-crowned Kinglet
- Song Sparrow
- Tufted Titmouse
- Turkey Vulture
- White-breasted Nuthatch
- White-throated Sparrow
- Yellow-rumped Warbler
- Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
For more information on songbirds, see HGIC 1700, Attracting & Feeding Songbirds. For tips on feeding birds and seed mixes, check out HGIC 2900, Backyard Wildlife Enhancement.
Additional information: SCDNR’s Wild Birds of South Carolina</a
