Winter Birds That You Can Spot During the Christmas Season

As the winter months approach, it is almost guaranteed that you will hear more and more about how cold it is outside. The cooler temperatures mean that fewer insects are around, and birds need insects to survive as well. Therefore, many birds tend to stay indoors during the colder months of the year in search of food. Most bird species do not really have a preference when it comes to the seasons; they will just need to eat during these months. This means that there are plenty of birds out there right now looking for food without their usual temptations. If you live in an area where it gets really cold, then you’ll also be able to spot some other birds earlier than usual as well. Here are some of the top winter birds that you can spot this season!

Snow Bunting

Snow buntings are very common in winter in the lower latitudes, with the majority of the species breeding in the Arctic Circle. Snow buntings prefer to breed in open regions with areas of bare ground or snow. These birds feed on seeds and insects, with their diet including seeds, various berries, and beetles. They have a rather low mating rate, and breeding takes place in spring. During the winter, snow buntings take refuge in treetops and thickets to avoid the cold. Snow buntings are small, white birds with black wings and short tails. They are conspicuous birds with red eyes, which are visible even in the dim light of a winter day. They are often found in colonies, building nests out of lichens, moss, and other organic materials. Snow buntings nest on the ground and tend to be active during the day, feeding on seeds and berries.

Blue-Grey Gnatcatcher

The blue-grey gnatcatcher is a common, ground-dwelling bird of the eastern half of North America. The male is blue-gray with a turquoise and purple cap. The female is brown. Both sexes have bright blue and purple masks around the eyes. They have a very interesting breeding behavior. The blue-grey gnatcatcher nests in a hole in an elm, ash, or maple tree, which is very impressive to look at. When the female finds a suitable hole, she builds the nest with twigs, grass, and leaves. Once the nest is built, she lays 3-5 pale blue eggs. The female feeds the young with insects. Young gnatcatchers leave the nest after about 10 days and are independent after about 20 days.

Eurasian Collared-Dove

The Eurasian collared dove is a common bird in the open country, gardens, and lightly wooded areas. The male is black with a white collar around its neck, while the female is brown with no neck marking. Both sexes have a white chest and underwing with black bars. The male’s call is a low groaning sound while the female's is a click-like Klee. Eurasian collared doves are migratory birds. They spend the winter in tropical parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, then migrate to warmer regions in spring and summer. They feed on flowers, especially on nectar-rich desert plants (e.g., bottlebrush, cacti, and poppies). They are social birds, living in colonies in gardens, parks, and orchards. Eurasian collared doves nest in a hole in a tree, building a nest with mud and root hairs. The female lays 3-5 grey-blue eggs. The young are fed by both parents and leave the nest after about 12 days. The female guards the nest for the first few days after leaving the nest.

Carrion Crow

Carrion crows are common birds throughout North America and Eurasia. The male is black with a white head, body, and tail; the female is brown with a dark mask around her eyes. They are omnivorous scavengers with a diet that includes carrion, meat, plant material, and some insects. Carrion crows are very intelligent and have been observed using tools. They nest in holes in trees or old buildings, or under rocks or other shelters. The female lays 5-8 grey-blue eggs. Carrion crows are the only crows that gather large amounts of carrion. They do this to take advantage of the high predation rates on dead animals by other birds. Carrion crows will fly to a large gathering of dead animals, such as carrion, and then pick off the most vulnerable ones. This is an example of how an intelligent bird has evolved to take advantage of the high predation rates in their ecosystem.

White-tailed Eagle

The white-tailed eagle is a large bird of prey found in open habitats such as grasslands, wetlands, and mountains. The male is golden brown with a white tail, and the female has brown feathers with a grey-brown head and neck. Both sexes have white eyes and a black mustache and beard. The white-tailed eagle is very common in North America and breeds in many regions. They are migratory birds, with some populations wintering in southern Argentina and northern Chile. White-tailed eagles are opportunistic predators. They will take any animal they can catch, including small mammals, fish, waterbirds, carrion, and even other eagles. The white-tailed eagle is noteworthy for its large range and numbers in modern times and is one of the species that has benefited most from human actions that have increased the availability of natural prey.

European Robin

The European robin is a common resident bird of Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America. It is a widely distributed species, with a large number of races, subspecies, and individual species. The male is dull grey with a blue head, a red breasts, and a white belly. The female is brown with a pale yellow belly and a brown head. European robins have a very simple and quiet courtship, with the male singing while walking around and bobbing up and down in front of the female. European robins are omnivorous, with their diet including seeds, berries, insects, and some plant material. They nest in holes in trees, or they may build a shallow cup-shaped nest composed of mud, stems, leaves, and feathers. The female lays 3-5 dull green eggs. Young birds leave the nest after about 21 days and are independent after about 30 days.

Great Grey Shrike

The great grey shrike is a small bird of the open country, gardens, and lightly wood trees. The male is grey with a black head and tail, and a white throat and breasts. The female is grey with a white throat and breasts and a black belly. The great grey shrike is a difficult bird to identify, and many authorities believe that it is a subspecies of the blue shrike. The great grey shrike is a gregarious bird, finding a mate and defending territory from other males. These birds are often observed feeding on the ground in open areas. The great grey shrike is omnivorous and feeds on a wide range of food items. It may catch insects, small reptiles, and small rodents, but will also take seeds, berries, and some plant material.

Conclusion

If you love birds, winter is the best time to visit nature. Cold temperatures mean fewer insects, so bird species have a better chance of finding food. See which birds you can spot during the cold winter months and make sure to bring binoculars!