From stashing food to roosting in groups, birds have the means to flourish.
To withstand winter, birds take extra measures to stay warm and energized. Instead of reaching for mittens and long underwear like humans, birds grow more feathers, hide extra food and put on extra weight to fight the cold.
Cardinals, chickadees, woodpeckers and goldfinches all stick it out in colder regions while other birds fly to substantially warmer climates for winter. Some birds that stay in the northern U.S. breed in the far northern reaches of Canada in summer and fly only as far south as necessary to find food in winter. This means spending the winter in midwestern backyards, where their special adaptations help them keep warm and find food.
Juncos and American tree sparrows add extra weight for the coldest months of the year, gorging themselves when they can. The fat deposits they develop help them survive when seeds from plants and shrubs are covered with snow. Some species even change what they eat when their normal food sources are unavailable.
This story is from the December/January 2019 edition of Birds & Bloom.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December/January 2019 edition of Birds & Bloom.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Clever Cowbirds
Learn more about these birds that are infamous for letting others raise their young
Ask the Experts
Pros offer spring plant care tips and tough IDs
Rustic diy Birdhouse
Whether you're hardcore handy or an everyonce-in-a-while crafty person, you probably have a small pile of scrap wood handy. Grab your tools and turn your extra materials into any house wren's dream nest box.
THE LATEST IN Lilacs
Learn about updated varieties of this timeless classic and how to take care of them
Meet the ORIOLES
GET TO KNOW eight TYPES SEEN THROUGHOUT THE U.S. AND WHAT MAKES EACH ONE STAND OUT
CBD FOR YOUR PAIN
Everyone feels the hurt as you age, but CBD can help you deal with it
Welcome, New Blooms
Update your yard with 2024's freshest florals
Western Blues
Beckon these regional bluebirds to your yard with nest boxes and mealworms
Incredible Eggs
Fun facts about these tough yet fragile wonders
Life Well Lived
Surprising facts about bird life spans