Brushpiles are also important for animals, as both a place to keep warm and a place to hide from predators. In some years, flocks of white-throated sparrows, when disturbed,have vanished into nearby brushpiles. Other birds also use them. Small mammals find refuge here, and some burrow into the ground beneath the brushpiles, thus finding added security. These piles are also frequently used as perches or lookouts by a variety of birds and animals.