Birds can adapt to the winter, either by fluffing their feathers, preening, or going into a state of hibernation. Different species use different means based on the degree of drop in temperature.
Some birds use their huge bills to thermoregulate while others have pouches to store food and keep themselves warm. Birds also migrate from south to north to seek warm lands and use heat-trapping tactics.
Let’s get to know how birds survive during winter and how you can help them.
How Birds Adapt to Winter Weather?
Birds usually have a higher body temperature when compared with humans. But, it gets difficult to maintain the body temperature during winter. Thus, birds use their ability to adapt to the weather and also apply their natural instincts to survive the cold months. Some birds migrate while others incorporate certain changes based on the weather conditions.
Here are the ways a bird can adapt:
1. Use Their feathers
Birds are seen to insulate themselves through the cold by using their feathers appropriately. Birds grow down feathers during the winter months which provide them with extra warmth when the temperature drops. This process is also known as ptiloerection, which gives the birds a puffed-up or fatty appearance, meshing the heat.
2. Using the Feet
Birds that lack dense feathers or have no feathers on their feet, reduce their feet based on the temperature and sit on them. This mechanism is known as countercurrent exchange, where they stop losing heat from their extremities. These birds have feet that contain more bones, tendons, and thin-walled blood vessels. So, when the blood reaches the feet, it gets heated, which replenishes the heat sent to the feet. They are also seen to shiver which helps to generate heat and the birds can stay warm.
3. Huddling Together
Small birds, such as sparrows and chickadees prefer to conserve the heat by huddling together during the winter. They form a line or appear to look like a ball and this helps to reduce the surface area to volume ratio. Throughout the night they are seen jostling for position. You can see them in groups of five or more and the number can even extend to 50 or more.
4. Preening
The oil-producing glands in the birds help them to keep their feathers waterproof. Birds are seen coating the feathers with the oil which helps them to keep their feathers dry. Also, birds are seen fluffing their feathers which act as air pockets and these trap the body heat helping them to stay warm.
5. Getting Enough Food
Food intake leads to the generation of energy, which helps a bird stay warm during winter. However, during the cold season, there is usually a scarcity of food, so birds tend to store food in advance or when the temperature is still warm. They collect seeds and other dry food that can act as a reservoir when food sources get depleted during winter. Some birds are also seen to switch diets from fruits to seeds during the winter.
6. Torpor
Some birds are seen to enter a hibernation state where the birds reduce their lower body temperature and also reduce the heart rate which helps to conserve body heat. In this state, the birds seem to be lifeless, which helps them to survive the harsh cold, but this also makes them vulnerable to predators as the reaction time reduces.
How to Help Birds Stay Warm During Winter?
With a better understanding of the condition of the birds, you can help them stay warm during the cold season. Here are a few of the simple things that you can do to help them when the winter strikes.
1. Provide Them Food
Birds need food to generate energy which would help them to stay warm during the harsh winters. However, during the cold seasons, there is a shortage of food availability. Moreover, birds who depend on insects or plants also go through a scarcity of food. So, it is advised that you must keep the bird feeder stocked with food throughout the winter. Try to offer them high calorie and fat food which would help them to maintain their body heat during winter.
2. Provide Them Water
Throughout the year, you must provide the bird with water. During winter the natural water sources either freeze or become unavailable. So, keep a reliable source of water in your backyard, a bird waterer or you can also keep a shallow dish filled with water. If feasible, you can invest in a heated bird bath for the birds during the winter months. Change the water regularly and monitor the water source, as whenever it goes empty you must recharge the bird waterer.
3. Provide Them Shelter
During the cold days, it gets difficult for the birds to find shelter, just like water and food, so you can help them by putting up a birdhouse. This would protect the birds from the cold and also keep them warm and cozy. You can also plant evergreen shrubs or trees in your backyard which won’t lose their leaves during the winter and the birds can find a cover throughout the year.
What are the Basic Things a Bird Needs to Survive?
A Bird needs food, water, and shelter as the basic things to survive.
How Long Can Birds Stay Without Food?
Owing to the high metabolism and body temperature, most of the birds can survive for 48 hours without food.
