To Migrate or Not to Migrate: That is the Question

What do birds do in winter? This article from the November/December 2017 edition of Woodprints has all the answers to that age-old question. Plus, stay tuned for links at the end to great homemade bird feeders that are the perfect projects for a cold, winter day!

Written by Ruth Forsgren, BCR Naturalist

When I ask kids what birds do in the winter, the common answer is migrate or fly south. Honestly, I think a lot of adults would answer the same way. But, there are a lot of non-migratory birds that tough out the winter months.  That raises an interesting question: why wouldn’t a bird head to milder climates for the winter months?  Well, migration is hard. Flying hundreds or even thousands of miles requires a lot of fuel. You have to find a safe hotel in a good neighborhood, compete with the crowds for everything, and have top notch navigation equipment. There are flight delays due to weather, plus many other trials for the avian traveler.

Make no mistake—staying here in the north isn’t a picnic in the park either. The birds that stay have special coping mechanisms for our variable winter weather.  Whenever temperatures take a severe nosedive, I hear people say how badly they feel for the wildlife. Yes, -20°F is tough, but 10°F to 20°F all day and night isn’t easy either. 

Black-capped Chickadee by Jason Mikelson

Small birds like chickadees have several ways to help them survive winter. As winter approaches, they store seeds in cracks of fences, tree bark, or wherever they can stuff a seed. Studies have shown that they can remember a lot of these hiding spots because they actually increase the number of neurons in their brains, expanding their brain volume by up to 30% and allowing for more memory storage (Cal State University study). Once the snow and cold temperatures arrive, these small birds are eating machines. They eat for most of their waking hours, filling up on the heaviest, fattest foods they can find. 

You may notice that birds seem to come to the feeders in flocks during the winter months. There are a couple of advantages to this behavior. When there are a lot of eyes watching, it is harder for predators to sneak up, and if they do, you simply have to be faster than the guy next to you. Huddling together with friends is also a great way to conserve heat during the dark nights.

Many small birds practice regulated hypothermia. A chickadee may be able to drop their core temperature by 15°F, which can save them about 25% of energy needed to maintain body temperature per hour. They fluff their feathers to trap air near the body and provide insulation against heat loss.  Small birds are also experts in shivering. Unlike the entire body jiggle that cold humans experience, birds activate opposing muscle groups, and these muscle contractions generate heat.

Can we help make winter a little easier for our feathered friends? You bet! You can offer black-oil sunflower seeds or suet at your feeders, since both provide the heavy fats birds need. If you leave nest boxes closed, birds can use them as roosting spots out of the wind and precipitation. You can also place brush piles or old Christmas trees near feeders so birds can get out of the wind. Finally, you can offer water in a clean, heated birdbath because water is needed and hard to find during long cold stretches.

These DIY Winter Bird Feeders and Homemade Bird Feeders will help you take care of your bird friends this winter and make a fun project in the meantime! Make these bird feeders with your kids, and enjoy their wonder in caring for the birds.