January 10, 2011

Brrrrrrrrrrr...it's cold!  Even though I am shacked up in the inside aviary, I can still feel the cold wind creeping through my window like icy fingers ruffling my feathers.  I am so glad I'm not living in my outside mew this time of year.  Have you ever wondered how wild birds which don't migrate stay warm in these extreme temperatures?  Well...so have I.  I borrowed Lila's laptop and put my toes to work googling this question.  Here's what I learned.  On cold, wintry days, most birds fluff up their feathers, creating air pockets, which help keep the birds warm. The more air spaces, the better the insulation. Some birds perch on one leg, drawing the other leg to the breast for warmth.   On sunny winter days, many birds will take advantage of solar heat by turning their backs to the sun.  Birds will also shiver to raise their metabolic rate and generate more body heat as a short term solution to extreme cold. Wow, I didn't know we birds had a built in furnace like that.  No wonder I've been ruffled all day...I just creating additional air pockets to keep me warm.  And you thought I was just getting fat!  Phee Phew!