Page 118 - South Mississippi Living - January, 2024

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Chickadee.
story by Gaye Winter
How can we help our feathered friends in the wintertime? Wild birds have a naturally higher body temperature than humans. They can use their instincts and naturally adapt to make it through the winter. Birds actually have insulation through their down feathers, which provide warmth when the temperature drops. Many species grow extra feathers leading up to the winter months.
Birds have oil-producing glands situated near the base of their tails that they will apply to their feathers for insulation and waterproofing. Birds fluff their feathers to create pockets of air to trap their own body heat and keep themselves warm in winter.
Interestingly, some bird species will go into a hibernation-like state that will allow them to lower their body temperature and heart rate to conserve body heat; this is called torpor. It is similar to hibernation. Their reaction time does slow down, though, which leaves them vulnerable to predators and other dangers.
Food can become scarce for birds in the winter,
but birds do have strategies to find food. Storing food is one- way birds prepare for the winter. Some species like chickadees, nuthatches, woodpeckers, jays, and crows store food. Those that do store food may hide hundreds, or even thousands, of seeds every year and can remember where they have stored their food so they can find it quickly.
Also, along the lines of food, some birds will change their diet for the winter. They turn to high energy food such as sunflower seeds and suet when temperatures drop. This extra energy allows birds to produce more body heat for warmth.
Finally, some birds migrate to warm areas, and then, there
are some ways we can help birds in our own backyards to keep them healthy and happy throughout the winter! Water, food and shelter are the most important things to consider.
Providing birds with a fresh, clean water source is essential.
In the winter, natural sources of water freeze, so how can we provide water for our friends? Birds need a reliable water source so they can grab a drink as needed. Water is more important
to their survival than food. Adding a shallow dish of water to your backyard or a bird-waterer to your tree is a way to help our feathery friends. To prevent freezing, bring them in at night and refill with fresh water each day. A heated bird bath (not necessarily needed with our winters) is wonderful if you do not want to check the water source daily.
When winter is approaching, take note of which birds stick around and what they like to eat. Remember to offer the high energy foods to all birds: black oil sunflower seed, suet and thistle seed. These help your resident birds maintain their body heat. Keeping your bird feeders stocked all winter ensures that non-migratory birds have a reliable food source.
Birdhouses are great to help birds for shelter in the wintertime. They also provide warmth and protection! But, not all birds will use a birdhouse.
So, another way to provide shelter to resident birds is to plant evergreen shrubs and trees in your yard or garden, evergreens offer cover for birds year-round. Having some evergreens around your property will ensure birds have plenty of safe places to live and thrive.
Can you name our state bird? Mississippi’s state bird is the Mockingbird! Were you
right? It has been our state bird
since 1944 and is known for its
118 | January 2024
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vocal skills.
As you watch the beautiful birds in
your yard this winter, happy gardening!
Mockingbird.