The recent storms and cold weather just reminds us just how tough the winters in Lake County can be on birds and other wildlife. If their feathers and skin get wet they could easily die. Food is another requirement to survive.
Birds stay warm in several ways. They will fluff their feathers, which creates warm air pockets on their bodies. They will also stand on one leg, which controls the blood flow in their bodies. They also limit the amount of time they fly. They seek shelter from the wind. Another trait they use is to hunch down, which protects them from cold air.
Birds are selective about the type of food they eat because nature has made them that way. They choose only foods high in protein. Where they roost is another factor for survival. They normally choose roost sites that offer protection. Some birds go into what is called torpor. This is a type of hibernation that allows birds to lower their body temperature and heart rate in order to conserve heat. Birds stay dry in the winter by self-drying. They produce a body oil and spread it by preening their feathers, which coats their feathers with the oil, making them waterproof.
Birds also store their food,which keeps them fed throughout the winter. They often visit bird feeders put out by humans. Many scientists are against bird feeders because they believe feeders make the birds dependent upon humans for their food. Local stores sell hundreds of bags of bird food each winter.
Large birds such as buzzards and hawks hunt small animals for their food.
Whereas humans eat three meals a day, animals often go several days without eating. Their bodies have adjusted to going without eating for long periods and they can still survive.
Birds have learned that migrating to a warmer climate is a method of survival. They often migrate back to the same wintering area every year. How they know where to go is one of the big mysteries of nature. Some birds migrate all the way from Northern California to South America each year. In Lake County, the pelican migration to Clear Lake is one that excites everyone.
Large animals such as elk and deer also migrate. The deer and elk migrate from the higher altitudes because the snow covers up their food sources. Bears don’t migrate but tend to den up instead. They sleep for days at a time covered up in hole or under a log. Their heart rate drops down to less than 20 beats a minute, and that way they don’t use up much energy. They live off the fat they have accumulated during the summer months. Thought dormant, they remain semi-awake.
Animals have been known to go without food for up a week or even more. All this goes to show just how tough they are. By the way, it is against the law to feed wild animals and you can face a hefty fine if you’re cited for doing so.
We are lucky to live in Lake County where wild birds and animals are abundant and we can enjoy them, but we must take care of our wildlife.
