Have you wondered where birds go when it’s wet and cold outside? Lucky for them, they have a number of adaptations that allow them to survive such conditions. We talk about a few of them in this episode, including the cold blood in their feet thanks to something called countercurrent exchange.
Some birds can also detect changes in air pressure, which signals to them that a storm is approaching. This prompts them to eat more so they’ll have the fat reserves required to weather the storm.
For birds that fatten up on earthworms, rainstorms can make those worms easier to get to. Casey shares a few fun facts about earthworms, including the reason why they come out of the ground when it rains. It’s not because they are drowning, like many of us have assumed.
Resources:
- Tufts University – How do birds survive storms and other harsh weather?
- xkcd – Where do birds go?
- Scientific American: Why do earthworms surface after rain?
———————
This episode aired on Radio Boise from March 26 – April 1, 2018, and featured music by Toy Zoo.
Boise Biophilia 