When it snows, where do birds (such as seagulls and ducks and small ones like robbins) go or do?

South young man south Many do get out of the cold way before it gets cold they have a temp gage built into them to tell the birds when its time to leave an area for the cold weather is soon coming. On the other hand Many do stay around for the cold

Many migrate to a warmer climate to breed and find the many foods they require to survive.All kinds of birds migrate from large cranes, birds of prey to tiny humming birds, even flightless birds.Emus move from breeding sites in rainy seasons to a more permanent water source with dry area's. Penguin's migrate in the oceans. Auk's babies ( similar 2 penguins)migrate by swimming until they can fly.Even your sea gull's which spend their entire life flying moving around the ocean following seasonal food abundances. (only in breeding time do they sit).

Not all ducks leave the cold weather or snow on the other hand some make long exhausting trips across many states to reach warmer weather and find the foods they need to eat. Sea ducks stay around the ocean and nest inland spend winters either on the ocean or near a bay.You do have geese and other ducks that head south you Mallard does not go south They will if have to in late Dec if can not find enough foods.

A birds feathers provide plenty of warmth for a bird. like insulation this keeps warmth close to the tiny body.Birds fluff up the feathers to trap air between then just like a down filled blanket Birds will also sit or roost close together for better body heat.Shivering helps provide body heat.

Some breeds that handle the cold well.

Falcons, pigeons, grouse,owl's woodpecker's chickadees, nuthatcher's, grosbeaks, finches, redpolls,crossbill's snow bunting, cardinals, waxwings, magpies, jays, ravens, crows, house sparrow,starlings.

Some robins do go south others stay in the cold and winds and snow very well indeed.These tiny birds eat many type winter berries.Don't bother to place reg bird seed out for them they will NOT eat this there tiny tummys cant have and they dont digest it They will eat all this if out for them and if you start to feed stay with this all winter if can't don't start it they will comearound alot for free foods. and return every year as well.

Foods:

apples, pears, oranges. blueberries, cranberries, raisins, dog foods (kibbles soft) meal worms, earth worms, and red worms. A gardenfull of bittersweet, snowberry,mountain ash, red cedar, is great for the birds to come to and eat as well.(makesure all fruits are cut up in small chunks for the birds)

I lived on Lake Ontario for 38 years . We saw geese and ducks and seagulls swimming in the winter between the ice floes. I always wondered why their feet didn't freeze. When it was quite cold the seagulls found shelter elsewhere or possibly some migrated.

Robins go south for the winter. Some of the hardier stayed at our feeders all winter. I don't know where they went at night although many birds nested in the nice cozy barns and ate with the farm animals. Nice for the birds. Messy for the farmers.

This makes me think about "The Catcher in the Rye" and Holden's obsession about where the ducks go. :)

They can fly elsewhere, go into trees or bushes, or just stick around. I saw ducks swimming in a semi-frozen pond the other day, and they seemed fine. The geese that live in our condo complex stay by the pond. Birds have a layer of fluffy feathers underneath their feathers that keeps them warm. Usually the top layer of their feathers are waterproof as well.

Many wildbirds will seek shelter in trees and bushes. Some birds have already migrated, so they are where it's warm. Other birds, like cardinals, don't migrate and will come around if you place safflower or other seeds out for them to eat. Ducks and geese enjoy the water and will be walking on icy water or hang around the water in the winter. Take a good look around your neighborhood, and you're sure to find some wildbirds around.

snows birds seagulls ducks small robbins

South...birds fly south for the winter.

My partner and I have asked that - where the heck do they hang out in cold weather?

Good question - hope someone is an ornithologist.

This is a great question. I have always heard they try to find warm weather.

I have no idea but I hope someone knows. Great question. Peace

I thought that they flew south but if they are in the south would it get cold?