Cha-ching! (1-3)

Moana Nursery in Reno, Nev., does an excellent job of connecting with its customers via an array of marketing efforts, many in the form of educational pieces they e-mail to the press to pass on to the consumer.

Knowing that it has a good number of birding enthusiasts in the ranks, the Moana staff this week sent a missive about how birds implement multiple techniques to survive winter. A few highlights:

From food consumption to feather adjustments and shivering, birds use a variety of techniques to stay warm during winter. Food is the most essential element, providing birds with the energy, stamina and nutrition they need to stay warm. Birds will expend energy very quickly, some losing up to 10% of their body weight on extremely cold nights. An ample supply of high-calorie foods, such as black oil sunflower seeds, peanuts and suet can be crucial to a bird’s survival.

“We can play a vital role during cold conditions,” said Jacque Lowery, manager of the Reno Wild Birds Unlimited, located in three Moana Nursery locations. “At these times, a reliable supply of food can mean the difference between life and death for a bird.”

Most birds will also keep warm by adjusting their feathers to create air pockets. “You will often notice the birds look fatter or ‘puffed up’ during cold weather,” explained Lowery. “This is because the birds are fluffing up their feathers; the more air space, the better the insulation.”

Staying warm is not all about food and feathers, though. Some birds perch on one leg at a time, drawing the free leg to their chest for warmth. Most birds will shiver to convert muscular energy into heat for the short term, but the energy must be replenished shortly thereafter.

While birds are equipped to withstand most winter weather, survival can be made easier by providing food, a heated, open source of water and protection from the elements with natural plant cover or a roosting box.

Information of this ilk not only educates customers, it inspires the notion that Moana Nursery's staff has a genuine interest in helping them enhance their enjoyment of the hobby. Ultimately, they generally venture to the store for products that factor into the process, and that's always good for some "Cha-ching!"

Looking for a Cha-ching! you might have missed? Go to the search box and type Cha-ching! Items are listed by date.