Winter Bird Feeding
Winter weather is hard on birds. Their calorie requirements increase, food becomes harder to find, snow covers up seeds, and ice storms seal away the tree buds and wild fruits. Tiny birds must eat a third to three quarters of their weight each
day. It is ideal to put your feeder up, if not already so, from early October through April. The sooner the bird feeder is up, the more likely they are to come to feed throughout the winter. When the temperature dips below zero, easy meals at a feeder can mean the difference between life and death.
Types of Bird Feed
Black-oiled sunflower seeds have a high oil content that appeals to the majority of bird species, including cardinals, chickadees, sparrows, finches, titmice, woodpeckers, grosbeaks and blue jays. The "meat" is a very nutritious source of high quality protein, and the soft outer shell makes it easy for smaller birds to consume. Birds use their oil glands to spread the oil over their feathers, which keeps them buoyant, dry and warm - this is especially important in winter.
Nyjer Seed attracts smaller birds, such as goldfinches, purple finches and even mourning doves. As a bonus, squirrels and larger birds generally won't touch it. 
It is best to place the nyjer seed in either a thistle sock or a feeder with smaller openings and perching stations.
Suets are a mix of bird seed, berries and or peanut butter mixed together with beef fat which replaces energy lost by birds in colder weather. Suets will attract a wide variety of birds all year round, including woodpeckers.
Can't choose a feed? Why not provide a number of feeder styles and types of feed for optimal results in attracting a variety of birds. Larger birds, such as blue jays, are very competitive and will scare off smaller birds. To avoid this, provide different feeder types - feeders with larger holes for larger birds and feeds and thistle socks for nyjer seed for the smaller birds.
Note: Even though it may seem to take forever for any birds notice a new feeder, be patient. They will find it. Also, be sure to fill the feeder as soon as you notice it is empty or else birds will look elsewhere. As long as you continue to fill it, they will continue to come.