Nature Centered: A Podcast from Wild Birds Unlimited
Episode 15: Winging It Thru Winter
November 17, 2020
Overview:
Have you ever wondered how birds survive the cold weather? In this episode, John and Brian share how birds make it through the colder months and what you can do to help them.
Resources:
Bird Behavior
Caching: https://www.wbu.com/caching/
RFID tag Cornell study: https://feederwatch.org/learn/articles/using-transmitters-to-track-feeder-visits/
Foraging guilds: https://web.stanford.edu/group/stanfordbirds/text/essays/Mixed-Species_Flocking.html
Birds regulate body temperature: https://www.audubon.org/how-do-birds-cope-cold-winter
Winter coat/fall molt: https://www.wbu.com/molting/
Migration Episode: https://www.wbu.com/podcast/episode-0010-migration-magic/
How You Can Help
High Fat Foods: https://www.wbu.com/the-best-foods-for-birds-during-winter/
Winter Roosting: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/will-birds-use-nest-boxes-to-roost-in-for-warmth-during-the-winter/
Shop Boxes: https://order.wbu.com/shop/bird-baths-&-houses/bird-houses-&-nesting
Kids Activity
Kids can count pulse for one minute to measure heartrate after physical activity, then check pulse after 5 min, then again, notice how heart rate goes down.
Save the Songbirds
Maintain a foundational feeder: https://www.wbu.com/foundational-bird-feeders/
Winter SuperBlend: https://order.wbu.com/shop/bird-food/seasonally-savvy-superblends/winter-superblend
SuperSuet: https://order.wbu.com/shop/bird-food/suet-mealworms/supersuet
