Birds implement Multiple Techniques To Survive Winter
January 6, 2009 | Read Full Story | Franchise Information
Wild Birds Unlimited, Inc.. Opportunities Available January 06, 2009 / / Franchising.com / / Caramel, IN-Just as many people are making resolutions to stay away from food, birds are using food and other, sometimes odd, techniques to stay warm and survive winter.
"Birds employ a number of methods to survive the winter of Adversity," said John Schaust, Chief Naturalist with Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop.
Food is the most essential element, providing birds with the energy, stamina and nutrition they need. To stay warm, birds will expend energy very quickly, some losing up to 10% of their body weight on extremely cold nights. An ample supply of high-calorie foods such as black oil sunflower, peanuts and suet is crucial to a bird's survival.
"We can play a vital role when feeding the birds becomes critical during extremely cold conditions." Schaust stated. "At these times, a supply of food can mean the difference between life and death for a bird."
Most birds adjust their feathers to create air pockets to help them keep warm.
"You will often notice the birds look fatter or 'puffed up' during cold weather," explained Schaust. "This is because the birds are fluffing up their feathers, the more air space, the better the insulation."
Staying warm is not all about food and feathers though. Some birds perch on one leg at a time, drawing the free leg to their breast for warmth. Most birds will Shiver for short-term adjustments to the cold. Muscular shivering converts energy into heat for the short term, but the energy must be replenished shortly thereafter.
While birds are most equipped to withstand winter weather, survival can be made easier by providing food, a heated, open source of water and protection from the elements with natural plant cover or a. ..
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