Being homeless is not restricted to humans. Food, shelter and water are as critical for wild birds as they are for people. For birds even a used Christmas tree can provide a home.

Experts at the Audubon Society say a helping hand from people is the difference between life and death during a cold snap or snow storm. It's then that birds need a quick food source and a place to escape the elements. An Audubon Society survey shows that Wisconsin chickadees eating from feeders had a 69 percent survival rate for the winter. For chickadees that relied solely on Mother Nature the rate was 37 percent.

Roosting boxes are the best man-made winter housing. A typical box is about two feet tall and nine inches wide. It has a door for cleaning and wooden perches for roosting.

Birds also welcome a small brush pile for shelter and protection from predators. Put it near a bird feeder. It's even better if you can stand your Christmas tree in the brush pile with the help of a stake driven into the ground.

You'll enjoy more wild birds if you stock your feeder with sunflower seeds, their favorite food. If your feeder runs out, don't worry, birds will find other food. But always have feed available when the ground is covered with snow or ice.