birdsoup

Flying demands a tremendous amount of energy.  The heavier you are the more energy required.  Therefore birds have evolved unique adaptations to reduce weight as much as possible.  Their bones, for example, are hollow.  That eliminates a small amount of weight but still provides strength.  And, their feathers are, well, feather-weight.

The common birds at your feeder are incredibly lightweight, much lighter than you might expect.  Their coat of feathers makes them appear larger and heavier than they actually are.  As you would expect, the larger the bird, the more it weighs.  Here are typical weights:

Black-capped Chickadee        0.39 oz.

Downy Woodpecker               0.95 oz.

N. Cardinal                             1.60 oz.

Blue Jay                                  3.00 oz.

Morning Dove                        4.20 oz.

Crow                                     16.00 oz.