Winter Conditions, Field Journal 3

Observed on 3/6/20 around 11 AM at East Area woods. Conditions were about 40 degrees F with a breeze. Sunny with light cloud cover.

Field Journal: Winter conditions.

Birds have a high metabolism, so they generate a substantial amount of heat. They also have a lot of down feathers that provide insulation in the winter. In addition to the insulation that their down provides, the uropygial gland that secrets an oil that birds coat their feathers with for water protection. On their legs they have scales that minimize heat loss.

Behaviorally, they have a few adaptations to keep warm. Birds will do something called fluffing where birds fluff up their feathers to create air pockets for extra insulation. Birds will also tuck their bill into their shoulder to breathe in warm air. They will also stand on one leg or crouch over both legs to keep them warm. Birds will also sun on a sunny day. They will turn their backs to the sun and angle their feathers to soak up the warmth from the sun. Like humans, birds will also shiver if they need to generate heat in extreme conditions. Small birds will often gather at night to sleep together to share body heat, called roosting. Birds will also enter torpor during winter nights, lowering their body temperature by as much as 50 degrees to conserve energy.

While I was walking I was mostly in an open area with few trees so I did not see too many snags, but I may have seen one with a few holes in it. (picture attached)