the willow tit sleeps
The harsh winter
The Nordic winter is a major problem for many animals: a lack of food, sly predators and long, ferociously cold nights.
Head under wing
The willow tit sleeps through the long winter night. She sits in cavities and places her head under the wing. She ruffles up her feathers into a heat-isolating fur, in order to retain as much heat as possible.
Keep cool
The willow tit does like the human home owner – she lowers the temperature at night to save precious energy. The willow tit's body temperature is 41 degrees Celsius daytime, but at night it drops to 36 degrees if air temperature is zero, and to 33 degrees if air is minus 20 degrees Celsius. But it does not become any colder – that would put her to sleep for good!
