Non-migratory bird species have developed different strategies to survive when temperatures drop significantly. Thus, some look for enclaves to nest that are sheltered from the wind , such as rocks and evergreen trees.
Others, such as the Svalbard partridges, Lagopus muta hyperborea , which inhabit some islands in the Arctic Ocean, accumulate large amounts of fat before winter sets in. Its reserves reach the equivalent of 32% of its body mass , and are located mainly in the abdominal region and around the sternum.
In addition, when the cold strikes, most of these animals can considerably reduce their metabolism and internal temperature.
Image: Per Harald Olsen via Wikimedia / GNU / CC
