Brrrrds!

"A Feathered Friend"

(Small watercolor study)

Many of us are experiencing the icy, snowy grip of winter weather. We hunker down and speed walk from house to car to work, then repeat in reverse order.  We disappear under a pile of clothes and coats, longing for spring.  During this season, I watch the little birds that winter over and marvel at how their tiny little bodies can crank out enough body heat without succumbing to the cold.  It isn't easy for them, but take a look with me at how marvelously they are designed to bear up under adverse circumstances:

1.  Birds are warm-blooded avian creatures with a higher metabolism than mammals, averaging temperatures around 105 degrees Fahrenheit or 40 degrees Celsius.

    

*Their body warms the air space between the feathers providing insulation.  Birds have their own little North Face downy coats.  They fluff their feathers out to provide this extra space, making warm air pockets.

*Many birds grow extra downy feathers during a late fall molt.

2.  Many birds are equipped with a uropygial gland, also known as the preening gland or oil gland.  This is located on the lower back just above the tail base.  A little grease nipple-like nub secretes the oil which they rub with their beak all over their feathers, beak, legs, and feet.  This oil contains monoester or diester waxes which insulate as well as waterproof the feathers.

3.  Birds' legs and feet are covered with specialized scales that minimize heat loss.  They can constrict blood flow to extremities, reducing further heat loss.  Also, they can utilize a process called counter-current exchange where the in-flowing warm blood into the legs and feet exchanges with the cold outer flowing blood.

*  Birds will tuck one foot up under their feathers to warm it while the other grasps what supports it.  They also squat down on both legs under their warm down feathers.  

4.  Birds can move into a torpor state in which metabolism is greatly reduced, sometimes by as much as 50 degrees.  This inactive state requires fewer calories but can put birds at risk to predators.

*  Birds don't sing as much during the colder season because singing is a high-energy calorie burning activity for them.  Hmmmm.....makes me wonder if our fitness centers should now teach singing as a weight loss solution.  

5.  The smaller birds will often roost together in bird lumps at night to share body heat.  

6.  Some birds, like Chickadees, will cache food during the warmer months and have tremendous memories of up to a 1,000 places where they have stored food.  

What are some take-aways for us from how birds cope with hardship?  

1.  Birds have wonderfully been provided for to deal with hardship in their body design.  As Matthew 6:26 refers to God's care for the birds, we can count on our great Creator's care for us in hardship.  He promises to be with us in trouble and to be a refuge for us when the storms of life hit.  If He can design little uropygial glands and downy feathers for birds, what do you think He can do for you?

2.  Birds minimize activity when needing to conserve energy for body heat.  They don't sing as much.  Under times of stress we need to cut back on extra activities and commitments in order to focus on what matters most.  This helps to keep one from burning out.

3.  Birds prepare during times of plenty for the coming barren winter months.  They eat extra for body fat storage and also set aside food in storage.  So, too, we need to be prepared for the emergencies and hard times in life to enable us to survive and even thrive under duress.

4.  Birds utilize community.  By roosting together, they survive long winter nights.  We need community, too.  We do best in life by sharing and being involved with others.  We cannot go it alone and flourish.

Here's a brief documentary about how birds survive the winter season:

Live bravely and beautifully!