WBU Podcast

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