How Wild Birds Survive the Cold

How Birds Manage Cold Weather

Ever wonder how wild birds stay warm when the temperature outside is freezing cold?

Let’s look at how they are equipped to manage in frigid weather.

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Birdy, It’s Cold Outside

As record-setting low temperatures froze parts of the United States and Canada recently, it’s hard to imagine how wild birds manage the cold. With such tiny bodies and exposed legs, why don’t they freeze?

Here in southwestern Ontario, Canada, it was chilly (-24 C | -11 F) plus windchill, which was enough to risk frostbite, though not nearly as cold as some other areas.

While winter may not be their favourite season, it is curious to see how the birds manage in extreme cold and have done so for millions of years.

7 Ways Birds Manage the Cold

1   High Body Temperature

You might not expect it, but the normal body temperature of birds (105°F | 40°C) is several degrees higher than humans (98.6°F | 36.7°C). That’s a good advantage right there.

2   Feathers

They’ve got downy coats! And feathers have several traits that help manage moisture, heat, and cold.

We’ve all seen birds in the winter sun with their feathers puffed up. This creates an air space around their bodies that is warmed by their body heat. Like a little heated tent.

3   Rain Coats

The oil secreted from their uropygial gland or preen gland gives feathers a waterproof coating. That’s why they don’t get cold and soggy in the snow or rain. Grease is the word.

4   Build-in Heat Exchangers

Those skinny little legs and feet contain a complex system of veins and arteries (called rete mirabile) that work as heat exchangers, keeping everything circulating and warm. Where our fleshy fingers or toes would freeze, theirs keep functioning.

5   Tucking

Another familiar sight is birds standing on one leg with the other tucked up under the body, or tucking their beak or bill in their wing feathers. That’s another way they make use of their own body heat.

5   Shelter

Birds naturally take shelter for a safe place to rest away from bone-chilling winds. We have a huge pile of old tree branches at the back of our garden and this is a popular winter motel for several bird species.

6   Gatherings

While they’re not exactly spooning, birds will cluster together to share body heat. I’ve seen this in the bushes as well as in vacant nesting boxes.

7   Torpor

While they may be chatty and active during daylight hours, a cold night may trigger torpor. Torpor is a natural state that lowers a bird’s body temperature and metabolic rate. This allows the body to function with much lower energy needs.  It’s like a mini-hibernation but the trade-off is it does leave them more vulnerable to predators.

How Do Birds Survive the Winter at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology goes into greater detail for specific species.

What We Can Do for Wild Birds in the Winter

There is no need to provide heated huts or any other human comforts.

Birds have managed cold for millions of years and the basic needs are always the same: food, shelter, and ways to escape predators.

1   Provide Good Quality Food

Keep feeders clean and filled with nutrient-dense feed like black-oil sunflower seeds.

This way the birds can obtain maximum nutrition with minimal energy expended.

Our guide on Choosing the Best Birdseed has everything you need to know.

2   Provide Running Water

We keep our ponds moving all winter long, both to protect the fish and provide drinking water for wildlife and feral cats.

You can also provide a heated birdbath. Look for one with a shallow bowl and secure places for the birds to perch. Drowning is far too common in deeper bowls.

3   Provide Habitat

I mentioned how our old tree branches are the number one resting spot for several species. This is why fall garden cleanup is not recommended: every living thing from microbes to butterflies on up needs a place to overwinter.

Plants that have turned to seed are also important food sources during the winter.

4   Keep Cats Indoors

Domesticated cats kill record numbers of wild birds each year.

Watch Live Bird Cams

Here’s another way to enjoy the birds: armchair birding!

This lists some of my favourite live bird cams and highlight reels.

Keep warm and enjoy!

~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛

Next

• Winter Care for Wild Birds
• The Most Important Fall Garden Tasks and What Should Wait
• Nesting Box Building Plans for Wild Birds