BIRDS ON THE DECLINE:

The Heilongjiang Province of China is seeing a brutally cold winter this year, and the birds are not coping well. This area is famous already for its hard winters, and this year the temperatures have reached -40 degrees Celsius (coincidentally, -40 degrees Celsius is equivalent to -40 degrees Fahrenheit). Such conditions make it hard for all wildlife - and for human beings, too - but birds have it especially rough. Much of their food source is covered in snow or dead, it becomes near impossible to find unfrozen water to drink, and it is difficult to hide from the simple and overwhelmingly impressive cold.

In the Heilongjiang Province, the bird populations are noticeably dwindling. Entire flocks have been found dead. Zoologists are calling for the citizens to do what they can to help the birds survive.

While conditions are perhaps not quite as extreme in other places, the problems of the Heilongjiang Province are universal. Winters are harsh; many animals die, or else hibernate, or else flee. But the birds that don't run off for winter can be left in a shabby state - and it is fact that right now, many common types of birds are dwindling rapidly in the United States.

Habitats are changing. Essential migratory fly-ways are being altered by human intervention. Urbanization is stripping from many birds their homes and their behavior patterns. Climates are in a state of flux. Invasive species can enter into a habitat: around my area (Sturbridge, MA), you can find a lot of birdhouses intended for bluebirds, instead occupied by starlings. Invasive species can kick out the old. The constant alteration of environment, be it man-made or not, constantly pressures all of its inhabitants.

And now, we have to face some harsh facts: since 1967, many "common" birds of the United States have decreased drastically and dramatically in number. There are twenty birds on a national decline list, all of which have been at least halved in those forty years. The northern bobwhite, at the top of the list, has dwindled by 82 percent. (To learn more about the birds on the decline: http://stateofthebirds.audubon.org/CBID/)

A lot of birds are struggling and - as we can see from Heilongjiang - hard winters surely don't help.

SURVIVING THE WINTER

It is remarkable that wild birds can survive winters. Regardless of food or water, it seems mind-boggling that they can keep warm enough, especially during those frigid winter nights. Birds don't hibernate. How do they do it?

A few interesting facts: Birds have a number of tricks at their disposal for dealing with the cold. Most obviously, they are feathered. Also, much like humans, birds shiver when they are cold, a simple but effective technique to generate short-term warmth.

There are other, more subtle strategies. Birds can often be seen standing on one foot in the winter; they tend to tuck their feet in as often as possible, exposing minimum amounts of their bodies to the cold air. They know how to position themselves so that the sun covers the maximum surface of their bodies. Birds will also roost together, sleeping against each other and using each other for body heat. A bird's metabolism is considerably higher than a human's.

Some birds, such as hummingbirds, chickadees, and more, can enter a state of torpor - a sleep-like state similar to a short-term and semi-conscious hibernation. While torpid, however, their reactions are understandably slowed, so it's a risky strategy: using less energy may allow them to get by with less food, warmth, etc, but it also means they are in no state to escape predators.

HOW WE CAN HELP

These tricks aren't always enough, and with so many birds dwindling due in part to human interference, it is perhaps only fitting that we do our part and give them a helping hand during this most merciless season. If you want to help out our native wildlife, now is the time to do it, and it is best to help only if you are informed.

Most obviously, many elect to feed birds. There is certainly a sort of charm to a feeder, and enjoying the sight of birds of various sizes and colors flocking by your window. My house has a feeder set up right now and the view of the fluttering and scampering birds is nothing short of magical. Bird feeders of all types are easy to find, as are nutritional seeds. If setting up a feeder, however, take care to put some thought into its positioning: the feeder should be in a place where small birds can see it, but where predators can be easily avoided. House cats, for all their cuteness, can be deadly. Feeders should also be out of the wind.

Some good food for birds: oil sunflower, which is smaller-shelled than striped sunflower but packs twice the calories; suet, which is high in energy and fat; and even peanuts, which are high in protein.

Water is also helpful to birds during cold spells, but make sure the water is not frozen. A birdbath heater is a fairly painless and harmless way to keep water wet without trudging out into the storm to change it yourself.

While providing food and water for birds is the most fun and the most showy, the best thing you can do for birds in this season is provide plants and trees that can give them cover and sustenance. Birdfeeders and birdbaths will only last while you provide them, but growing gardens strategically is much less intrusive, much more natural, and much more withstanding.

Plant shelter will give birds a place to hide both from the cold and form predators. Plan your planting, and use plants especially that provide berries for the birds. With proper planting, birdfeeders are not necessary. Make sure what you plant is native to your area! In New England, for instance, wild roses, mountain ash, holly, beriberi, ornamental pear, winter berry, red cedar and crab apple are all good choices. It may take a bit of research to find out the ideal plants for your area. Trees like chestnut and oak can provide birds with protection, and many evergreens can provide shelter from the wind.

HOW WE CAN HURT

Now, some words of caution. It is easy to become overenthusiastic and accidentally do more harm than good, particularly in the case of bird feeding, where many are more attracted to the idea of having pretty birds hovering by their gardens year-round than they are of actually helping the birds.

It is best to be informed with any decision you make.

When buying seeds to feed birds or when planting shrubs for them, make sure you are only dealing with those plants native to your area. Invasive plants can generate the very habitat changes that are pushing so many birds to desperate numbers.

Most importantly of all, don't keep feeding the birds year round! There is nothing wrong with helping them through the winter, but if you keep leaving them food and drink, they will become dependent - and, indirectly, you will encourage further habitat change. Leaving food out all the time will inspire other animals to come, such as bears or coyotes. Year-round bird feeding will attract previously foreign and unwanted animals. It may be tempting to keep the birds around, but resisting the urge is worth it for the bigger picture.

The best thing we can do to help is to grow shrubs and trees - which, of course, will not only help our birds, but will also make our gardens a little bit greener, and provide all sorts of other benefits. If we pitch in to give them a safer, providing environment, then we won't need to resort to force-feeding them to enjoy their company and keep these beloved animals alive and prospering.