Birds puff feathers to stay warm

Q. How do tiny songbirds stay warm during those blustery, cold winter days?

Tina from Salem

A. They wear a coat of course! Just like we put on our puffy winter coats before heading out into the snow, birds puff out their feathers, creating a coat of their very own. Remember birds are endothermic (also known as warm-blooded), meaning they regulate their body temperatures from within. When temperatures drop, birds must adapt. Plenty of food and shelter are key, but behavioral and physical adaptations are also necessary.

Enter the “bird coat.” Birds puff out their feathers, effectively creating air pockets that trap body heat and insulate the bird from cold temperatures. Birds can also control how warm they want their coat to be. Just like we choose the level of insulation in a coat, birds can decide if they need their 400-fill-power coat or their 900-fill-power coat for those really cold days. Muscles in their skin allow the bird to control the amount of puff. Feathers that are puffed farther out will create larger air pockets, and thus more warmth.

Credit also must be given to the mechanics of the feathers. A close inspection of a bird’s feather will show interlocking barbs and barbules. These act much the way Velcro does, hooking together to create a strong, dense surface that helps to keep cold air and moisture out and warm air in.

So who needs thermometers to determine how cold it is outside? Just take a look at the cardinal sitting outside your window. Does it look like a round, red puff ball? If so, you’d better grab your warmest coat before braving the cold. Stay warm this winter and help those birds stay even warmer by setting out a little extra bird seed, suet or dried fruit.

There is a reason why birds look larger in the winter, and now you know why – they have their winter coats on.

Another frequent question about birds in winter relates to robins. Many are surprised to hear that robins often stick around in Ohio during the winter. While some migrate, many form nomadic flocks, spending time feeding in areas that offer enough food to feed all those hungry mouths. This is why robins seem to “disappear” from our yards in the winter. Once spring arrives, the flocks break up and lone robins “return” to our yards, making us think they were gone all winter. But now, we know better.

Today’s answer provided by Marne Titchenell, OSU Extension Program Specialist, Wildlife. Winter hours for the Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic vary. Submit questions to the clinic at 330-533-5538 or drop samples off at the OSU Extension Office in Canfield.