It’s so cold the birds have turned into fluffy little cotton balls!
Temps were around -15 today and that didn’t include the windchill!

Did you know the American Tree Sparrow only spends the winter in northern Illinois? source

Goldfinch, winter plumage

 

goldfinches, winter plumage. See the yellow chin and wing bands?

 

“Somebody bring back Spring!”

 

American Tree Sparrow as ‘puffed out’ as he can get while keeping both feet warm

Downy Woodpecker, looking extra downy today…

 

Blue Jay was more interested in the squirrel’s corn across the yard

One thing I did notice was that the smaller birds on the ground were all hopping around a little strange. Kind of flopping a bit while they moved from one place to another and using their wings as balance in the snow as they hopped, while propping themselves up.
After watching them for a minute, I realized they were hopping around on one foot, holding the other one up in their feathers to keep warm. They would alternate feet every few hops, then sit down when they found the seed they wanted to eat, keeping both feet warm.
Hang on little guys! Only another 2 months and spring will be here again!

Junco keeping one foot warm

 

same for the American Tree Sparrow