Best exotic birds to breed in cold climates

I have often been asked what is the best exotic birds to breed in cold climates. I think this question is asked of me for several reasons. First and most obvious is that I have and extensive collection of parrots that are housed in outside aviaries without heat and live in Northern California at 1400 meters, it will be cold in winter.

I have been able to hold all kinds of species of birds outside through the winters to get into the teens sometimes. I have found that there are more exotic birds, which can take the cold, than those who can not. Many species come from as far south of the equator or even longer than what corresponds to what Oregon and Washington are in the northern hemisphere. Once this is accomplished the problem of exotic birds in cold climates will be smaller in those minds.

The thing to remember is that the breeding season is during spring and summer, so it is not so difficult for the adult birds, as you might think. Stress of breeding is not an issue in the winter, as most do not breed at this time. Emus are an exception, the sill race under the southern hemisphere seasons, it means winter in the northern hemisphere. They have lots of body fat themselves and are very resistant to cold.

A good rule of thumb to remember is, if a species of exotic birds, provided by their feathers, they are equipped to cope with the cold. As the temperature drops due to seasonal fluctuations will produce more down to conserve body heat. As summer months approach, they shed a large part of this fantastic primer. Never take a bird that used to heat and keep it outside in cold weather.

There are some species to avoid that no hair down in their feathers ... Eclectus parrots are one example that comes to mind. The tropical island residents and need heat at all times. 

An exotic bird's ability to handle the cold are directly related to the food available for them to consume. Be sure to supply an unlimited amount, so they can "free choice" feeding as necessary. Remember, during winter a bird has only 8-10 hours of daylight feeding time and must withstand the cold and dark for 14-16 hours. If they go to roost on an empty stomach is a good chance they will not do it at night, if it falls below freezing. 

Species with a crop that performs better under these conditions because they can "fill up" before night falls while birds with only one stomach is a disadvantage. Larger birds are stronger for small birds such as finches. Body mass protects internal organs from the cold, where small species are dependent on a higher metabolism to generate body heat, but this user feed faster.

There are a few tricks to make your exotic birds the advantage against the cold. Wipe housing with hedges is important. A nesting box can be twice as much as protection against the cold. Feed rich in carbohydrates such as corn or sunflower generate lots of heat when metabolised. Seeds are also dense and pack more energy per volume than processed feeds as pellets or crumbles.

Using the above methods, I have been able to maintain breeding colonies of quails, pheasants, waterfowl, parrots, cranes, jays, toucans, finches and even through cold winters in decades. Pick something you will then examine it from the above viewpoint, and you'll probably do fine.