Where do the little birds go when it snows 10 to 12 inches outside and is really

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   Pamela Kinnaird Wposted 11 years ago

   Where do the little birds go when it snows 10 to 12 inches outside and is really cold?
   
   I'm used to seeing them on the bird feeder (and I'm not used to being in snow country in wintertime.)  Today there is a foot of snow.  The tree branches are bare.  I don't see the birds sitting on the branches.  They're not at the birdfeeder.  They must need food, but everything is covered in snow except for the birdfeeder which I uncovered.  Little sparrows and dozens of other little kinds of birds -- does anyone know where they hide out on a cold day?

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   chef-de-jourposted 11 years ago

   In colder weather small birds will try to conserve energy by flying to a local food source, if available. The more experienced birds will know where to go - hopefully younger members of a flock will follow! Small birds have regular food routes so they'll want to continue with their regular patterns and routines if possible. In wintry conditions they'll adapt as best they can. In extreme weather they may stay put for a day or two and will look for warmer places to roost and shelter.
   
   Some unfortunately perish, that's a fact of life I'm afraid, but the majority manage to survive by finding food in unusual places or using their brains! When milk bottles were delivered to front doors in the UK years ago (doesn't happen these days) small birds would peck the silver foil off the top and sip the creamy milk which tended to rise!

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      Pamela Kinnaird Wposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      chef-de-jour, thank you for your detailed comments.  I know little birds need a lot of food every day yet many of them stay all winter in this cold, cold place. 
      
      That's so interesting that little birds will break into the milk to survive.

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   Goody5posted 11 years ago

   They probably just stay at home in their nest, kind of like a lot of people do.

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      Pamela Kinnaird Wposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I don't think little birds have nests in the winter.  I thought they just make those in the spring so the females can lay their eggs.  I'm not sure.  I'd better get out my bird books again.  Thanks for commenting.

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   Caveman Etrisposted 11 years ago

   The species that don't fly to warmer regions for the Winter will feed where they can but typically return to areas where there is a regular food source. They feed on different seeds and other things, depending on the species. I see small birds in the yard all Winter long but on bad days they will often roost in dense bushes, shrubs and trees. Some birds roost in barns, under bridges, in attics, on edges under outdoor shelters and in abandoned buildings. Large hollow trees are used as well. I go out hiking, so I see the birds that stay here over Winter and watch them. There are always small birds in dense bushes or shrubs during the Winter. Thick evergreen trees are common roosting spots for birds as well when it is cold outside and snow has fallen. Food is found under trees and bushes but when the ground is covered in snow then they look for food in areas where the snow did not reach. They will roost to save energy and slow down the burning of their stored fat but need to feed. I usually sweep the snow off of the flat feeder or use a hanging feeder so they can always get food. That is your choice but Winters around the world are not nearly as bad as they once were because of Global Warming. Some places rarely get snow anymore and other parts of the world get it in a shorter period but then get floods. Every year is different now and the changes will only get worse in the future. Always do what you can to help the wildlife where you live.

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      Pamela Kinnaird Wposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for some great information, Caveman Etris.

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   philliposted 11 years ago

   I really couldn't tell you where they go (outside of the birds that migrate before the cold weather arrives). But I do know that birds have an inner layer of feathers (the down) that insulates their bodies to help keep them warm (which is exactly why I love my down-filled comforter).

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      Pamela Kinnaird Wposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, it's amazing how long the little birds can survive in the terrible cold because of the insulation their feathers provide.  I think I read sometime ago that they can sort of hold the feathers just a bit 'out' which provides more insulation yet.

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   Stina Caxeposted 11 years ago

   Apparently they like to hide out in my attic.

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   sunny547posted 11 years ago

   These birds hide in holes, nooks and crevices in trees,buildings, etc.They mostly hide in small warm corners in buildings and some even take refuge in abandoned houses.

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   Tarun Bajajposted 11 years ago

   seeing these conditions,, most birds migrate to safe places ,,, there is a natural call inside them,, and that's how they take decisions to move or not,,,
   Still, if they are stuck then they find safe places ,, they are wanderers they know about these kind of places very well, it's not just snow ,, sometimes they have to hide for other reasons too like precepting Danger,,, and who knows what is out there in dense trees,,, from which sunlight dare to pass...

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   Lor's Storiesposted 11 years ago

   In their nests. Unless they migrate. I user to think Robins migrated but one year I saw one in the woods after a heavy snow.

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    Rayne123posted 11 years ago

    I believe that those birds know exactly where to go since they have been doing it all their life. This is a natural instinct to them. They know exactly how to survive.
    
    Just like us humans, we live with 4 seasons (most of us)so we adapt and it becomes part of our daily lives. They fly where it is warmer as do some humans also.
    
    I imagine some may not make it, however I think their faith and instinct carry them through just fine.
    
    The mothers will always find food for their young as once again so do us humans.

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    The Examiner-1posted 11 years ago

    That depends which bird that it is. There are birds which migrate from northern US to southern US, some go to SA. Then there is the Gray-headed Chickadee (approx. 5"- 6") which stays at the northern tip of Alaska all year.
         There are birds the size of penguins which live in the arctic.

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       Pamela Kinnaird Wposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       I know many birds do migrate but the ones I was talking about were there every day and suddenly weren't when the snow fell.

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    WalterPoonposted 10 years ago

    I suppose they go to somewhere warmer... maybe under your bed, LOL. If they don't know how to do that, they would have frozen to death long ago. Is that not how evolution works? Survival of the fittest. Their parents must have trained them how to do that because, as far as I know, birds don't go to schools where teachers can teach them.

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