It’s wintertime, the snow is coming down, you feel the chill, and the birds outside your window are feeling cold and hungry. What can you do to help them?

First, remember that feeding wild animals requires some care, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. They warn that “Teaching wild animals to associate humans with food can lead to issues.”

However, a significant number of us—about 59 million, as reported—provide food to birds in our yards.

You can safely offer food to birds during winter if you follow some straightforward guidelines. While feeding them isn’t a year-round necessity, the Humane Society notes it can be beneficial in winter when temperatures drop and food becomes less available, especially during migration.

After heavy snowfall, finding food can be very hard for birds, says the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Here are some important points to consider if you’re planning to feed wild birds this winter.

What food should I offer to wild birds?

Commercial bird seed mixes attract a variety of species, according to the Wild Bird Feeding Institute, as they typically include different seed types.

Black-oil sunflower seeds, known for their high meat-to-shell ratio, are particularly effective at drawing in numerous bird species, according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Other options include nyjer seeds, milo seeds (sorghum), and some blends containing peanuts. You can typically find these at hardware stores, grocery stores, and wholesale retailers.

Commercially available suet, which is a mix of beef fat and seeds, corn meal, peanuts, mealworms, and other bird treats, is also an option.

Seed cakes or bells, which are mixtures of seeds bound by edible gelatin, can be used as well. For smaller birds, sack feeders—nylon mesh tubes filled with nyjer—are suitable since larger birds cannot fit through the mesh.

What type of bird feeder should I choose?

Bird feeders designed for seeds generally come in three types, with some variations, according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology:

It’s crucial that feeders are durable enough to withstand winter conditions and keep seeds dry. To prevent overcrowding at one feeder, consider using multiple feeders spaced several feet apart.

Where is the best place to set up bird feeders?

Consider safety when placing your bird feeders, as suggested by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. An estimated 100 million birds die each year from collisions with window glass.

To minimize the risk of birds flying into glass, position feeders either more than 30 feet away or less than 3 feet from windows, or fix them directly to windows.

“Feeders more than 30 feet from a window are a safe distance to avoid confusing reflections,” advises the Humane Society. “Those less than 3 feet prevent birds from gaining enough speed for a fatal collision.”

Feeders placed near trees or shrubs offer birds resting spots between feeding and a quick escape route if predators approach, according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

However, don’t set the feeders too close to trees, which could harbor squirrels or predatory cats. A distance of around ten feet is often a good compromise, although some experimentation may be required.

Suet cakes are typically placed in basic square cages and hung from trees or poles.

It’s recommended to clean feeders every two weeks with soap and water to reduce the risk of disease transmission. Ensure you rinse them thoroughly and let them dry completely before filling them again.

What about providing water?

Just like during summer, birds also require water in winter. Although they can melt snow and ice to obtain water, this consumes a lot of their energy, the National Wildlife Federation informs.

A practical way to provide water is by using durable plant saucers that won’t crack in the cold. You can change the ice each morning, replacing it with fresh water. If you prefer a more advanced option, heated birdbaths are available.

Position birdbaths in sunny locations and add rocks for birds to perch on.

Make sure to clean birdbaths regularly.