Summary

Winter can be a cold, dark time when food is scarce. Birds fight to stay alive during this season by using a variety of behavioral and physiological adaptations. Many of these are the same things you and I would do. But birds also have some amazing, unique adaptations to winter that we can only marvel at.

Learn how birds generate heat and conserve it, and about the challenges they face in the cold season.

Research Citations

• Effects of the severe winter of 1965/66 upon winter bird fauna in Finland (Hilden and Koskimies. 1969. Ornis Fennica)
  

Photos of some birds mentioned

Attributions

• Common Redpoll sounds (Xeno Canto recording XC578520)
• American Goldfinch sounds (Xeno Canto recording XC175254)
• Verdin sounds (Xeno Canto recording XC565197)

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