11 Winter Birds That Thrive in the Cold

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While there’s no denying that winter isn’t everyone’s favorite season, it is the time for some birds to shine. While we’re bundling up, shoveling snow, and staying warm, these resillient birds are thriving in the cold. What’s really jaw dropping is their ability to not only adapt but to thrive in icy conditions.

These birds are more than eye candy; they’re a benefit to humans, as well. Their presence is a small, but important, bonus: they help control pests and function as natural ‘cleanup crews’ in the backyard. Read on for some of the cold weather champions and how their skills make life a little easier for us during the frosty months.

Snowy Owl

Snowy owls beam with their stunning white plumage and piercing yellow eyes like they’re straight from the pages of a fantasy novel. These Arctic natives have no problems dealing with the chill, and often travel south across the United States, when the winters are especially cold. Rodents and other small mammals make up the bulk of their diet, and they are excellent at controlling pest populations around homes and barns.

Black-Capped Chickadee

These little charmers don’t only survive winter, they embrace it. Black–capped chickadees fluff up their feathers, and tuck seeds into clever hiding places — under eaves, even in the crevices of a flower vase left outdoors. They are cheerful callers, who brighten any gray day. They’re also a plus because their appetite for insects cuts back on pest populations year-round, even during the dead of winter.

Northern Cardinal

During snowy backdrops, the bright red plumage of the male cardinal is a welcome sight. Cardinals don’t migrate and they eat seeds and fruits, frequenting backyard feeders. Cardinals also help out if you’re concerned about insects overwintering in your garden or around your home as they snack on dormant insects hiding beneath bark or in any crevices.

Common Raven

Ravens are the all weather cleanup crew of the bird world. They are as highly intelligent and resourceful as was said of children in the past, being at home in the frigid tundra and the suburban neighborhood. These birds have also been known to scavenge discarded food and help reduce waste and unwanted critters from finding a feast behind your trash bins.

Dark-Eyed Junco

You’ll have seen these small, slate gray birds hopping around on the snow. Juncos are ground foragers and eat seeds and insects, helping you keep your unwanted bugs away. Their diet prevents pests from taking over.

Bald Eagle

Most associate bald eagles with freedom and summer, but they are a hardy species and are able to live in cold climates. They will often gather at open water in winter to fish, but their scavenging habits can help clean up carrion which would otherwise attract larger, less desirable animals into residential areas. The bald eagle’s population is rising again in recent decades, a win for nature and for us, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

American Tree Sparrow

The snowdrifts and bare trees are no problem for these sparrows. They feed on seeds and small insects and will help prevent dormant pests from causing problems come spring. If there’s a dried flower vase or other natural elements in your yard, you might see these guys flitting around and bringing life to a dead winter landscape.

European Starling

Starlings are here to stay whether you love them or hate them, but they don’t mess around when it comes to winter. Invasive as they are, they also like to eat lots of grubs and insects, which is a good thing. Their foraging can help reduce garden pests that might otherwise be hiding under mulch or snow piles.

Great Gray Owl

The great gray owl is one of the largest owls in North America and is silent hunter of snowy forest. They can also catch voles and mice that take refuge in garages or other parts of your yard. Rodent populations kept in check by these owls are important in balancing local ecosystems.

Red-Breasted Nuthatch

Quirky and energetic, these birds are often seen hopping down tree trunks head first. Insects hidden in bark crevices are another world for red breasted nuthatch. They may indirectly reduce the chance of bugs making a trek towards warm spaces like your home.

Golden-Crowned Kinglet

How tough is this tiny bird that might look delicate? In winter, kinglets are a denizen of coniferous forests, living on insects which would otherwise lie low and breed all winter. Seeing these little dynamos flit about is among nature’s most remarkable resilience.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.