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Photo John Deignan |
Q. From the photo, what things do birds do to stay warm and dry during a snowfall?
Journey
North's robin expert, Laura Erickson, says:
"During
storms, birds try to get as sheltered as they can. They take shelter
by bushes (like this robin), buildings, or trees. No nests! Nests
are only
baby cradles—not shelters—for robins.
"How do birds stay warm and dry during a snowfall? They fluff their feathers to insulate themselves against the cold. The feathers themselves are such good insulators that the outside of the feather is cold, like the air. But just a few millimeters under the feathers, the bird's body is a cozy 104 degrees. Snow doesn’t melt on cold feathers, so the feathers stay dry. What about the feet? A bird’s feet don’t have much blood flow. Still, they fluff their belly feathers to help cover the toes and keep them warm.
It
is easier for birds to be in zero degrees and snowing than 35 degrees
with rain and sleet.
Why? Birds
use their feathers for insulation. A drop of rain is heavier than
a flake of snow. The weight of raindrops
presses
on
feathers
and
makes
it
hard
for the bird to fly. Rain can also freeze on contact with the feather,
weighing the bird down. Flying can become difficult or impossible.
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