Cold Feet

I have always wondered how it is that birds don't have their feet frozen off in the winter, from the frigid temperatures in the air or water, or from the metallic objects upon which they sometimes perch.

As it turns out, their legs and feet have special scales that help conserve heat loss.  Also, sometimes the veins and arteries in a bird's legs sit side by side, transferring heat from one to another.

Of course sometimes a bird can just sit on their feet to help warm them as well.