If you live in North America, this guide gives you calls and location. It's a must have for birdwatchers.
http://www.audubon.org/field-guide
Regarding the chickadees, they tend to come out in cold weather also in the presence of food. Most birds have interesting mechanisms to keep warm in the dead of winter. In terms of feeders, you should have one with seeds and cracked corn, and one with suet and animal fat to attract really interesting birds. If you're in the northeast, you'll get Red Bellied Woodpeckers, Flickers(above) Downy Woodpeckers, the occasional starling, and some other nifty birds.
My yard (due to the feeders), has none less than 12 different varieties of birds.
And don't be fooled, most birds are more active in the winter than the summer due to lack of available food. You'll be able to coax more birds to feeders in winter.
Maybe I'll drop a guide on bird feeders and bird watching in the future. There seems to be enough interest.
http://www.audubon.org/field-guide
Regarding the chickadees, they tend to come out in cold weather also in the presence of food. Most birds have interesting mechanisms to keep warm in the dead of winter. In terms of feeders, you should have one with seeds and cracked corn, and one with suet and animal fat to attract really interesting birds. If you're in the northeast, you'll get Red Bellied Woodpeckers, Flickers(above) Downy Woodpeckers, the occasional starling, and some other nifty birds.
My yard (due to the feeders), has none less than 12 different varieties of birds.
And don't be fooled, most birds are more active in the winter than the summer due to lack of available food. You'll be able to coax more birds to feeders in winter.
Maybe I'll drop a guide on bird feeders and bird watching in the future. There seems to be enough interest.