Do squirrels hibernate.1/13/2024 These guys forage all day long, finding tiny insects and caterpillars in trees. Ask any bird photographer what’s one of the hardest birds to take pictures of and the answer could very well be “those damn kinglets, they never want to stay still.” Branch that had a Ruby-crowned Kinglet on it less than a second ago □ (Photo by Erich Boenzli)īesides weighing less than a quarter of an ounce (just slightly more than the weight of two pennies) and measuring no bigger than the end of a thumb (plus feathers), how do they maintain a body temperature of 109.5F? Eat, huddle, shiver, repeat. These tiny birds weigh less than a quarter of an ounce and have an energy level that’s through the roof! I’ve never seen a kinglet not moving. There are two species of kinglets living in our area, the Golden-crowned Kinglet ( Regulus satrapa ) and the Ruby-crowned Kinglet ( Regulus calendula ). Of all the birds that stay behind, the most fascinating bird to me is, no doubt, the kinglet. To find out how these guys don’t lose their feet in the freezing waters, read “Ducks, Gulls, Feathers, Feet, and Freezing Temperatures.” The Incredible Kinglets Waterfowl and gulls are perfect examples. Migration is very dangerous and the fatality rate, especially for birds on their first trip, is nearly 30%! Many bird species have adapted to stay put or to only move far enough to find food, not warmth. Bird migration is absolutely fascinating, and to learn more, check out “On the Wing - The Magic of Bird Migration."īut not all birds use this option. A lot of bird species take advantage of this feature and head south for the winter. Horned Lark ( Eremophila alpestris) looking for food (Photo by Erich Boenzli) How Do Birds Survive Winter?īirds have wings and that’s great. And hopefully your curiosity will be piqued and you’ll throw on some warm clothing (that’s our way of physiologically preparing □), go outside, and look for some clues of who is doing what and where out there. So my curious mind asks “where are they now and how can they survive the cold?” Let’s have a look at some amazing survival strategies of our scaly, feathery, and furry friends out there in the cold, while we’re enjoying a nice cup of coffee next to the fireplace. Why do some hibernate and some not? Is it not having access to food or avoiding the cold temperature? Why do some animals put on body fat to use during the long winter while others won’t, but instead will cache food all summer long, to be used during the colder months? Have you ever heard of frozen-solid spring peepers, only to thaw out and then return in perfect condition in the spring? There are so many incredible survival strategies and it all boils down to one: physiologically preparing for the winter. And then there are the “cheaters:” some mice, ladybugs, and others will find a way into our cozy homes during the winter. Some are hibernating out of sight, some are at our bird feeders, others survive as caterpillars - and incredibly, some butterflies overwinter as adults. But unlike migratory animals (like some bird species, butterflies, and others), a lot of animals spend their winters right here right now. But where did they go? Where do animals hibernate? And then it gets colder and they’re gone. It’s late fall and wasps are very active. Next, we’re having some friends over for dinner on the backyard deck. In the summer, we take a walk along the towpath, let a snapping turtle cross in front of us, and watch it slide back into the canal. Probably not the best winter survival strategy (Photo of Erich by Viana Boenzli)ĭo squirrels hibernate? Some do, some don't.
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