Winter isn’t just “cold” for a bird, it’s a nightly survival math problem: generate enough heat, lose as little as possible, and don’t get eaten while you’re fueling up. In this episode, host Dr. Scott Taylor is joined by Dr. Maria Stager, UMass Amherst, to break down the clever physiology and weird little behaviors that let birds ride out freezing temps, from icy duck feet to “feather puffball” mode to energy-saving torpor.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

1. How birds keep their feet from freezing
2. How feathers and shivering muscles act like a built-in winter jacket
3. How birds manage energy overnight, including fat, roosting, and torpor

All audio, video, and images in this episode are either original to Okay, But... Birds (© Okay Media, LLC) or used under license/permission from the respective rights holders. Bird media from the Macaulay Library is used courtesy of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology as follows:

1. Dark-eyed Junco audio contributed by Wil Hershberger, ML94361
2. Purple Martin audio contributed by Arthur A. Allen, ML8086
3. Willow Ptarmigan audio contributed by Leonard J. Peyton, ML50031
4. Common Poorwill audio contributed by Wil Hershberger, ML191125
5. Snowy Owl audio contributed by Gerrit Vyn, ML138288
6. Ruffed Grouse audio contributed by Bob McGuire, ML216783
7. Mallard audio contributed by Mike Andersen, ML136504
8. Tree Swallow audio contributed by Bob McGuire, ML233306
9. Black-capped Chickadee audio contributed by Jay McGowan, ML202239
10. Redpoll (Common) audio contributed by William V. Ward, ML12745