Snow and a Newbie

We had snow showers several times today, mercifully with little snow sticking, and many hungry guests at our various bird feeders! How the tiny Anna's Hummingbirds like this female survive in cold weather is beyond me. How can a bird weighing only 0.1-0.2 oz (3-6 grams) make it through the winter?

According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, "Anna's Hummingbirds normally have a temperature of around 107 degrees Fahrenheit [41.7 Celsius]. When outside temperatures fall, Anna's and many other species of hummingbirds enter torpor. Their breathing and heart rate slow, and their body temperature can fall as low as 48 degrees Fahrenheit [ 8.9 Celsius ]. When the temperature warms, the hummingbirds can become active again in a few minutes."

In addition to watching these tiny, remarkable birds in today's light snow, we were thrilled to see a new bird in our yard -- a Red-Breasted Sapsucker (see extra). It was definitely eye-catching! 

To read about further adventures I had today, check out Phil's blip.

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