Nature Corner: Bird Nerd Facts

by Wendy Oellers-Fulmer

Last week’s Spring Nor’Easter brought ice, snow and wind. Despite the battling winds, there was constant bird activity on our deck feeders. Observing them while tucked snuggly inside, I was once again in awe how these small creatures survived and stayed warm in such brutal weather.

Our Avian neighbors who are here all year long, have several strategies:

1. Winter weight: During the late summer and fall, birds will pack on extra weight in preparation for the cold months ahead.
2. Winter Wear: While we dig out our warm clothes when the weather get cold, birds will grow extra feathers. Birds can trap air in their feathers, creating a layer of insulated warmth.
3. Feather Care: The effectiveness of this insulation is dependent on the maintenance of dry, clean and flexible feathers. Preening is the process birds will use to clean their feathers.
4. Waterproofing: Part of the preening includes waterproofing. All birds have a special gland near their tails which produces oil. Some birds will use that oil to waterproof their feathers. Other species, like mourning doves, grow specialized feathers that eventually dissolve into a waterproofing powder.
5. Shivering: Like humans, to stay warm, birds will shiver. The rates of their metabolism is much higher than ours and they need to continually eat to maintain body temperatures and energy expenditures. . 
6. Snuggling: Birds will cuddle in together to share the heat of their bodies. Some will crowd together in evergreen trees, shrubs and vines. Others will use cavities, either natural or nesting boxes.
7. Protecting Feet: Birds have scales on their legs and feet that are specialized to protect against the cold. Waterfowl have a special adaptation that allows them to isolate the blood flow in their legs, keeping it from circulating and chilling the rest of their bodies. They will also give their feet a break by standing on one foot.