Most living things wither during winters in cold places, but the frozen dark side of the year offers some of nature's most beautiful sights if you know where to look.
In between the dead trees, hidden in the snow, you can find many magnificent creatures. Though most birds migrate to warmer places during winter, some choose to stick it out, thriving in frigid desolate regions.
1. Cardinals Lochaber.ca
Cardinal
Northern cardinals are some of wintertime's most well-known backyard birds, and for good reason. Their scarlet wings and frilled feathers make them stand out against snow and trees. These birds typically do not migrate, instead opting to nest and shelter together throughout long winters. If you spot some in your yard and are looking to start a bird-feeding operation, these fowl love black oil sunflower and safflower seeds.
▲ 2. California Quail The Spruce
California Quail
These bulbous birds are commonly found in the Pacific Northwest. In the winter, they survive by foraging and snuggling up together in packs at night.
▲ 3. Northern Goshawk This formidable bird is found across North America, Europe, and Asia. They are powerful predators, catching prey easily due to their super-speed and strength that allows them to crash through trees in pursuit of a meal.
▲ 4. Snowy Owl wallpapersafari.com
Snowy Owl
Snowy owls — also known as polar or arctic owls—are unmistakable for their blindingly white feathers and searing yellow eyes. Unlike many other owls, these are active during the day and possess keen eyesight that allows them to spot prey from far away.
▲ 5. Bluejay Wikipedia
Blue Jay
Blue jays' gorgeous pigmentation takes on a new beauty in the snow, which makes their icy blue plumage stand out. Intelligent and adaptable, these birds are favorites for backyard birders, and will eat almost anything, though they are fond of sunflower seeds. As songbirds, these fellows are typically loud and easy to spot; they're well-known for their imposing, sometimes aggressive and teasing relationship with other birds.
▲ 6. Purple Finch Sandy Hill
Purple Finch
Roger Torry Peterson described these little feathered fellows as "sparrow[s] dipped in raspberry juice." Typically red, orange or strawberry-colored, these rare finches are native to North America. Their large beaks help them split open maples, tulip trees, and elms for food, and they often crush plants and drink nectar from them.
▲ 7. Dark-Eyed Junco Tarlainsphotography
Dark-eyed Junko
These birds are often nicknamed "snowbirds" because of the way they thrive in frigid regions and often hang out in banks of snow. There are several varieties of these birds, which can often be found on the edges of suburban yards in the winter.
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