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Shivering Feathers

eaglesandowls816

The sudden drop in temperature has left us all shivering, but did you know birds shiver too? Shivering is a method to produce heat. In fact, it can boost your body's surface heat production by roughly 500%. Birds have various strategies to endure winter, and shivering is one of them. Small songbirds weighing half an ounce need to consume large amounts of food daily to maintain their high metabolic rate. In winter, for many, storing and finding food is a constant activity. Some birds, like the Black-capped Chickadee, have an incredible ability to locate their stored food in winter. Research has shown that the part of their brain responsible for spatial memory enlarges in the fall to aid this task. Birds also trap air under their feathers to stay warm. Maintaining feathers in excellent condition is another daily task for our feathered friends. Some bird species will snuggle together on cold winter days and roost in tree cavities to shield themselves from the wind and cold. Tucking feet and beaks into feathers is another strategy many birds use. Waterfowl also have a countercurrent heat exchange system that isolates blood flow in their legs, preventing it from circulating throughout the entire body.

How can we assist during these cold days and nights? Keeping feeders stocked with fat-rich treats like black oil sunflower seeds is an option. You can even scatter sunflower seeds on the ground to attract various birds. Adding suet or nut butters, available at retailers or online, is another option.

The photos show a tiny Ruby-crowned Kinglet, weighing less than half an ounce, skating on an icy pond while catching tiny bugs trapped in the ice.





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