How do birds survive winter?

While a steady food supply is important during the cold winter months, the birds also need to conserve their energy and heat. Small birds like chickadees and kinglets can drop their body temperatures by up to 15 degrees F at night with an adaptation called “regulated hypothermia.” read more

These tiny birds (even smaller than the chickadee!) search for moth-caterpillars that spend the winter on trees. At night the birds huddle in groups, puffing their feathers to an inch thick and tucking their heads to conserve heat. read more

Interesting how these birds surivive a harsh Montana winter, but they do it. I want to mention something of an argument to your article. A large gang of at least 50 birds live in a thatch, leading down a hill along the sidewalk to work. Anyway, these birds sing and tweet like a choir when its sunny but negative 1. read more

On cold winter days I am always astounded that there are any birds left alive, especially considering that most winter feeder visitors weigh in around 10–25 grams (the weight of 2-5 nickels)! But it turns out that birds employ many of the same strategies I was using inside my house—plus a couple more—to keep their motors running through cold snaps. read more