Bluejay Convention

Today we had a Bluejay convention at one of our feeders! I counted 15 at one time. That's a record for us.

The weather is changing and the wind is howling from the northwest. So, these guys know to eat as much as they can to get through the night.

Did you know that birds are constantly shivering during the winter to stay warm? They have to keep an internal temperature of about 102 degrees F and to do that, they shiver.

But Chickadees can actually drop their core temperature at night into the 70s. To do that they have to eat their weight in food each day to have enough fat to get through the night when it's really cold outside.

So, after a night of sub-zero temperatures, breakfast is really, really important for birds! Be sure that your feeders are full in the morning!

Winter bird watching.

It's a cold January day. The bird feeders are full of seed and suet.

Here's a photo that really shows what those of us in cold climates are looking at these days.

Staring out of our windows into the cold, white winter. But, look at that color on those birds!

A Coopers Hawk visited the backyard this morning. The Blue Jays screamed and all the birds took cover. So, I put the thistle feeders right next to a big White Spruce so my little finches and Pine Siskins can escape from predators and bully birds.

I love seeing the birds up close.