A Black-capped chickadee perched in a tree in winter.

How Birds Survive Winter: Cold-Weather Adaptations

When temperatures plunge below freezing and snow blankets the landscape, it’s astonishing to see how birds survive winter. Tiny birds weighing less than an ounce maintain body temperatures around 105°F even when the air drops to -40°F or colder. Species like black-capped chickadees, northern cardinals, and dark-eyed juncos not only survive but stay active through […]