Winter Bird Adaptations

January brings a quietness to reflect. Another year past, and a new year begun. Reflecting on the past year, we might think of all the changes we may have experienced or the accomplishments we may have had. As we reflect on these personal changes, it’s also a time to consider how other living beings, like birds, are adapting to the changes in their environment, particularly as winter settles in. In this post about Winter Bird Adaptations, we hope to connect you to nature as we explore what these animals have been up to during this season, and how they’re thriving in the colder and shorter days.

This series complements our Teacher Newsletter series that shares seasonal insights, activities, and resources. If you’re interested in signing up for our Newsletter, click the link here.


Photo by Frank Lin

Winter Bird Adaptations: What does it mean?

Throughout the colder months of the year, animals have different patterns of behaviour based on their physical needs and the environmental changes around them. Some animals don’t thrive in our winter climate and will enter a state of hibernation or migrate to warmer climates. Other animals will stay active through the winter as their bodies and habits can adapt to their changing environments. However, some animals have features that allow them to thrive best in this climate. There are a variety of birds that have a wide range of adapted features to exist productively through the colder months of the year. Some of these birds you can see thriving here in Vancouver this time of year, including ducks like mallards and wood ducks, buffleheads, and other birds like cormorants, chickadees, and dark-eyed Junco’s.

What adaptive features do over-wintering birds in colder climates have?

  • Insulation plumage: their plumage (feathers) are thicker for winter. Birds have down feathers, which are special feathers that provide heat insulation, and they will often develop more of these in the colder months. 
  • Feeding strategies: over wintering birds will switch to high energy foods, such as seeds and berries, which are more available during the winter. To do this, they also adapt to different foraging methods and feeding locations. Dark-eyed Junco’s are an example of a bird who change to a seed diet in the winter. 

Photo by Frank Lin

  • Communal roosting: some species of birds may roost communally for warmth, sharing body heat to conserve energy. 
  • Torpor: some birds, including Anna’s hummingbird and black-capped chickadees, enter a state called torpor during extremely cold periods to conserve energy. Torpor is very similar to hibernation, but instead of a deep sleep, birds can slow their heart rate and metabolism down to conserve energy, while still not being fully asleep.  
  • Anti-freeze proteins: some birds, like the black-capped chickadee and the common redpoll, produce anti-freeze proteins in their body fluids to prevent ice formation in tissues.  

Photo by Annica Pommeray

What birds are overwintering near you? Check out Birds Canada’s guide to what birds you could see at this time of year near you. Just find your location on the map and select the date that you’re looking: Birds Canada!


Upcoming Events