It has been a very cold and snowy winter so far here in Maine. We do our part in keeping the bird feeders full for our feathered friends. Suet, black-oil sunflower seed, millet, safflower, peanuts and dried fruits keep the birds visiting our yard well nourished and provides the high fat content to keep them warm.

Birds will “puff up” in the winter to keep warm.  Air is an excellent insulator. That means that heat doesn’t pass well through it. When a bird puffs up its down feathers, it’s trapping air in-between them. This has the result of surrounding the bird’s body with a layer of air that acts as an insulating shield. This way the bird’s own body heat won’t escape as easily. It’s the same principle that makes a big, thick winter jacket keep you warmer than a thin, tight shirt.

For Bird Photography Weekly #24, I leave you with a Tufted Titmouse, puffed up and keeping warm on a cold February day.

Click photo for a larger view

Tufted Titmouse

Happy birding!

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Related posts:

1. How Birds Stay Cool in the Summer