Midwest Region Conserving the nature of America

Conserving the Nature of America

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.

How do birds keep warm in the winter?

Frosty common raven
Frosty common raven. Photo courtesy of Keith Williams.

Have you ever wondered how birds can stay warm in the cold winter months? Common redpolls are a great example. These energetic foragers weigh less than 15 grams and can survive temperatures that plunge nearly 100 degrees below the freezing point! How do they do it? Birds of all shapes and sizes have special adaptations for living in cold climates. Here are just a few examples of tough birds and their tips for staying warm.

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Winter wildlife sightings

Red fox on a snowy wood pile.
Red fox. Photo courtesy of Keith Williams/Creative Commons.

Even during the coldest of winter days you can look for wildlife and not be disappointed. We wanted to share some animals that are active no matter the weather. We encourage you to bundle up and head outside - you never know what you might see!

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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service finds Endangered Species Act listing for monarch butterfly warranted but precluded

A tagged monarch butterfly among a garden of purple coneflowers.
Monarch butterfly among purple coneflowers. Photo by Joanna Gilkeson/USFWS.

After a thorough assessment of the monarch butterfly’s status, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has found that adding the monarch butterfly to the list of threatened and endangered species is warranted but precluded by work on higher-priority listing actions. With this decision, the monarch becomes a candidate for listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and its status will be reviewed each year until it is no longer a candidate.

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Living the hygge lifestyle - Taking a lesson from wildlife

Red fox resting in snow
Red fox. Photo by Jim Peaco/NPS.

The Danish lifestyle trend known as hygge has taken off around the world. While this concept of finding cozy contentment and well-being through simple routines isn’t hard to grasp, it may seem out of reach with busy schedules and stressful times. Here are some hygge lessons from wildlife to show you how they manage the cold, dark days of winter.

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Bats are one of the most important misunderstood animals

Endangered Ozark big-eared bats in a cave
Endangered Ozark big-eared bats. Photo by Richard Stark/USFWS.

Few of nature’s animals are as misunderstood as bats. We want to set the record straight and help others understand the importance of bats. Though often feared and loathed as sinister creatures of the night, bats are vital to the health of our environment and our economy. Here you’ll learn more about why bats are so essential, the threats they’re facing, how we’re conserving bats and how you can help create a bat-friendly environment.

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Last updated: February 9, 2021