How Do Birds Survive in the Winter?

Birds struggle to stay warm and find food to survive during winters. Birds in temperate and polar areas face extreme challenges. Some of them migrate to warmer areas while some adapt themselves to maintain an optimal temperature of 105°F.

In this article, we will provide you with information about the diverse characteristics that birds develop during the winter season.

Let's talk about them.

Do Birds Get Cold?

Birds also feel cold like humans. However, they have better mechanisms to handle cold than humans. Their feathers, legs and physiological Behavior plays an important role to keep them warm.

All the winter birds have insulating plumages. These birds grow additional feathers and also molt into thicker feathers to trap heat. Their feathers act as a coat for them. Also, you may notice many birds look round in winters. It is because they fluff their feathers to create pockets and gather extra insulation.

Many species of the birds have glands in their tails that produce preen oil. These species preen their feathers with oil that act as a waterproof to prevent heat loss.

Birds also have a counter heat exchange system in their legs. In this system, the warmer arterial blood travels to the feet and in returns the cold venous blood to the body. The body maintains the core temperature to 40–42°C. That's why waterfowl and raptors can stand on ice or swim in icy lakes. The birds also have tough tendons and scales to prevent heat loss and radiate less heat.

How Birds Stay Warm in Winter

Birds stay warm with wide behavioral, physiological and ecological changes. As we discussed above their feathers provide them immunity to fight harsh weather. They also shiver to gather heat. The repeated contraction and relaxation of muscles provide them warmth in the winter nights.

Many birds store energy and fat reserves in late autumns for winter seasons. For example a black capped chickadee eats 35 % of their weight calories daily and later uses this energy to survive.

There are also certain behavioral changes in birds like some seek shelter. Birds like woodpeckers and chickadees roost in tree holes to cut heat. Woodpeckers make holes in rotten trees to create warm snug and insulated dens.

The other way is to huddle together to share warmth. A group of eastern blue birds or Golden-crowned Kinglets make a little feathery cluster. They perch side by side, fluff up and press their bodies together. As a result, each bird loses less heat to the environment. They also have unique behavioral mechanisms like tucking their heads and feet under feathers.

Some birds go into hibernation to save energy called torpor. In this state, birds lower their activity to keep core temperature.This state is also known as hypothermia. The birds conserve fuel with lower metabolic activity. They even stop flying and foraging and remain in conservation mode to reduce the waste of energy.

For example a black chickadee lower their body temperature to 10–15°C (18–27°F) during daytime. They may cool down to 30°C (86°F) during the night. By doing so they reduce the energy needed overnight by 20–25%. This is also called nocturnal hypothermal. In order to create a snow cave that protects them like an igloo, some grouse and ptarmigan go to great lengths.

What Do Birds Eat in Winter?

Food is the source of energy for birds. In winters, birds minimize the use of calories and also increase the intake of calories. Many birds change their eating habits according to the nature of the conditions. For example, many insect eaters who do not migrate survive on the spiders and larvae hidden under the bark of trees and leaves. They also find their supplements by eating berries, seeds or nuts.

Food catching is another strategy of the winter birds. Most birds collect, gather and hide thousands of seeds in autumn to use them in winter. These birds have the unique ability to remember the location of each place and find them even buried under the snow. A black capped chickadee can store 10,000 seeds. Similarly, a woodpecker stores seed in the holes of the trees to use later in winter.

Many birds that rely on seeds and vegetables switch to dried seeds, tree buds and remains of the fruits. For example sparrows, finches and grouse. Likewise, the Willow Ptarmigan’s digestive system can even extract nutrition from woody fibers.

These are excellent ecological strategies during winters and take advantage of a winter-abundant food (buds).

Raptors and other carnivorous animals face different challenges. Because many small mammals hibernate or stay under the snow and many migrate. They have to hunt whatever is available for them. For example, a Red-tailed Hawk or Great Horned Owl will prey more on winter-active creatures like rabbits, squirrels, or pigeons.

Owls use its sense of hearing and pinpoint the rodents under the snow and leaf litter. Bald Eagles commonly feed on carrion (dead deer, fish, etc.) when lakes freeze over

Where Do Birds Go in Winter?

Many birds must migrate in search of food and shelter. Billions of birds migrate from northern areas to a warmer region. Warblers and swallows move to find insects, while ducks and geese find unfrozen lakes and marsh.

Partial migration is common in some single species. Some species migrate while others stay. The American crow is a good example of Partial migration. The choice of migration depends on the age, sex, individual choice and also varies according to the conditions.

All the insect dependent species must have to migrate due to the unavailability of insects in freezing climate. All the warblers, orioles, tanagers, and flycatchers fly in the first frost. They move towards tropical regions for caterpillars.

On the other hand, the seed eating birds can stay if the food is available to them. Many bird lovers install backyard feeders to attract these birds in winters. Species like chickadees, cardinals, and house sparrows stick.

Some songbirds are short-distance migrants. American Robins leave Canada and the northern U.S. but still move in the continental U.S to spend winters. These birds roam in large groups to search for their favorite food berries.

Large birds migrate only if their prey vanishes in winters. The key to migration of any bird is the availability of food. Many hawks have to travel long distances to hunt other birds and insects. However, some predator birds only travel until they find open grounds to feed on rodents.

There are some surprising movements of birds. You will be amazed to know that some raptors migrate toward colder regions because their prey concentrates. Some ducks leave northern lakes to spend winters in the coastal New England waters. The ocean provides calm and crabs.

Key Changes in Birds to Survive During Winters

How Climate Change Affects Birds in Winter

There is a change in the climate of the earth due to human activities. The temperature of the earth is rising due to industrial developments. Now, winter is late and also becomes warmer with the passage of time. That's why some birds don't fly because winters are no longer chilly for them as they were before.

Similarly, some bugs and insects appear early due to climate changes. The birds that arrived on their time but became late and didn't find enough food.

The construction of buildings, deforestation, and urban development disturb the natural habitat of the birds too. They did not find a suitable place to survive. The melting of glaciers causes huge floods and also storms and thunders hurt small birds and also cover their food for months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do birds die in winters?

Yes, sometimes the temperature drops abruptly and birds do not find time to gather food and also store heat.

Why do we see fewer birds in winter even if they do not migrate?

They do not migrate but hide themselves under shelters to stay warm. That's why we don't see them often.

How can we protect birds during winter?

We can place birdfeeders in the backyard of our houses with high energy foods. This can help them provide shelter and food. Also, we should keep the water unfrozen in water bath.

Summary: What Birds Teach Us About Survival

Winter is the hardest and the most challenging season for every creature. However, nature provides a solution to combat everything. They undergo a lot of physiological, behavioral and ecological changes to survive the seasons.

Human activities disturb the natural balance of the seasons. Because of this, survival is more difficult now than before. It is our duty to use and provide eco-friendly products to keep the balance and let these creatures fly without any difficulties.