Birds are considered winter birds if they can tough out cold winter climates so it’s really not possible to stick the name to just one bird because so many birds can tough out the cold.
What is a winter bird?
A winter bird is a tough bird that is known for staying behind and toughing out the winter months in a chilly climate while other birds take flight and find a warm southern coast. Though the winter bird can usually be classified by species, some winter birds in a species will break the mold and head south when the weather turns. However, the ones that stay around are hearty and that’s why they’ve been deemed winter birds.
Examples of winter birds
As mentioned before, there isn’t just one winter bird. There are many different winter birds and they live all over the world, though a bird that lives in Brazil, where it is tropical year-round, can’t really be considered a winter bird.
Some of the most common winter birds in North America include cardinals, ravens, crows, chickadees, finches, snow buntings, pigeons, grouse and falcons. Each winter bird has its own way of finding food and shelter in the winter and it’s because of these great instincts and tenacity to stick out the cold, that these birds are called winter birds.
How do birds survive the winter?
One key component that allows winter birds to survive the winter is keeping warm. All birds have several layers of feathers, including an under layer of feathers that are considered down feathers. These feathers are actually used in pillows and comforters to keep humans warm as well.
Winter birds fluff up their feathers to create insulation for their bodies. The fluff up allows winter birds to trap the air between their feathers, which protects their small bodies from chills and wicked winter drafts. Some winter birds will hide in snowdrifts or create more body heat than usual to keep warm.
To survive a long cold winter, winter birds also need to be industrious in finding food. When times are good and the weather’s warm, winter birds will feed on insects, nuts, berries and fruit, however, when the thermometer drops, they often feed off of bark and other dead foliage to keep up their energy. You can help winter birds stay full by putting a bird feeder out and keeping it full during the winter months.
