Welcome to Fluffed Up Birds.

Birds fluff up for many reasons.

1) They may be cold. Then this helps them stay warm.

2) They may be hot. Then this helps them cool down.

3) They may be excited. Then this helps them appear larger, and thus more impressive or more frightening.

4) They may be stretching. Then this helps them feel good.

5) They may be acting like a bird. Then this helps them cause confusion for human observers.

When I searched through my files to create this article, I found only a few photos of fluffed up birds each year.

Then, on my next outing, I noticed that birds fluff up often. So now I’m being more alert for fluffed up birds.

Note: I put links to other articles and blog posts that show more photos of these birds.

American Dipper, Fluffed up to Stay Warm in Zion National Park

Also see: Niche Market Fable

Light-footed Ridgeway’s Rail, Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, CA

Also see: Watchlist Birds

California Towhee, Who Seemed to Be Excited

Also see: Good Bird –|– Don’t Cry for Me, Audubon –|– Connection With Life

Canada Goose Gosling, Naturally Fluffed Up

Also see: Feathers Make the Goose –|– Visit Your Local Park –|– The Joy of Photographing Details

Long-billed Curlew, Central Coast, CA

Also see: Watchlist Birds

Common Raven, Staying Cool on a Hot Day

Also see: Beyond Black –|– Shudder at These Spooky Birds

Curve-billed Thrasher, Who Fluffed Up for This Photo

European Starling, Fluffed up to Join the Show

Also see: Before You Go Back to Work

Gray-headed Dark-eyed Junco, on Snow in Zion National Park

Bushtit, Female – These small birds almost always appear disheveled (fluffed up).

Great Blue Heron Showing Off

Also see: Gular Fluttering Is for the Birds

Hooded Oriole, Male, Staying Cool on a Hot Day

Also see: Are Birds Happy?

Juniper Titmouse, December in Zion National Park

Mourning Dove, Acting Like a Bird

Also see: Winter Tribute –|– Odd Gifts Everyone Keeps –|– Birds Are Business Experts –|– Celebrate Ordinary

Northern Mockingbird, Demonstrating a Partial Fluff

Also see: The Bird Who Knew Too Much

Western Bluebird, Female, Looking Extra Pretty by Fluffing Up

Also see: Meet the Western Bluebird –|– Wonderful Success Story –|– Conversation With a Bird

White-crowned Sparrow, 1st Year Juvenile, December in San Antonio, NM

Also see: Ordinary Courage –|– Song of Courage

Lesser Goldfinch, Male, Fluffed up because it feels good

Also see: Simple Request —|— Bird Story About Power —|—Earth Day 2022

The Fluffed Up Birds thank you for visiting.

See more bird photos at: Bird Photos

Did You Know?

The most effective way to help birds is to buy land.

Here are three organizations that excel at doing this.

1) American Bird Conservancy

2) The Nature Conservancy

3) The Trust for Public Land

Please visit their web sites to learn about the work they do.