Did you know that today is America’s National Bird Day? Discover more about the birds you love and how to celebrate this winter season!

Winter Bird Adaptations

During the cold days of winter, we often worry about the birds that roam outside of our houses, especially because we can’t hear or see them as much. Luckily, the birds who stay put in Pennsylvania are well equipped to stay warm this winter!

Birds fluff up their feathers to trap air which makes them capable of trapping more heat! At night time, they typically go into a state called torpor, similar to the hibernation that mammals undertake in the winter; their body temperature significantly lowers, their metabolism slows, and they conserve all possible energy until they need to use it. Birds also store little bits of fat under their skin which allows them to go longer without eating while simultaneously keeping them warmer! Have you seen many birds this winter? Can you identify any of the bird calls you hear at this time of year?

Support Winter Birds with Feeders

Peanut butter is great for birds because it has lots of fat for them to store and they find it yummy just like us! This simple bird-feeder craft is easy and fun, and the birds trying to keep warm will be very grateful.

Materials:

• Old toilet paper tube
• Peanut butter
• Birdseed
• String

Methods:

• Start by smearing peanut butter all over the toilet paper tube. You can do the inside if you’d like, but it might get pretty messy.
• Once you’re done applying the peanut butter, spread some birdseed on a plate. Then roll your peanut butter tube over the birdseed, and make sure to really get that birdseed stuck in the peanut butter.
• After you have your tube coated in birdseed, run some string through the tube, tie it somewhere in your backyard, and then you’re done!

On National Bird Day, your local birds will chirp many thank-yous for making this delicious food available to them. Just make sure to clean up the strings once your birds finish off the food!

Lucy McGinty – 2022 Intern

I am an environmental studies college student, and The Art of Ecology’s new intern! My career goal is to become an environmental microbiologist—a person who studies the microorganisms in the environment and their relationship to pollution! I am so excited to [learn more about ecology] and ways we can do better.

Celebrate National Bird Day with The Art of Ecology’s bird-themed merch! A % of the proceeds benefits wildlife conservation & habitat preservation efforts.