How do Birds Keep Cool in Hot Weather
On a hot summer day, when we're reaching for the fans and ice lollies, birds are out in the open - so how do they stay cool without having ten ice lollies a day?! As it turns out, they’ve got some pretty clever tricks to beat the heat.
In this blog, we're going to give you everything you need to know about how birds stay cool during the summer, and how you can help them!
How Do Birds Stay Cool on a Hot Day?
Panting
It may sound strange, but birds pant. In the summer, you might spot bird species, like the Blackbird, panting similar to a dog. In hot weather, birds don't sweat, so by panting, they evaporate moisture in their throat, mouth and lungs, which in turn, cools their body temperature down. So in extreme weather, watch out for panting birds.
Bird Baths - Using Water to Cool Down
Just like us, birds like taking a dip in a pool of water to keep cool. Birds like Robins and House Sparrows will shake the water through their feathers to keep clean and cool. Remember, replace water daily to help prevent the spread of any diseases.
Seeking Shade During the Hottest Hours
Like humans, birds search for shade on a hot summer's day. It's the simplest solution to keeping cool: find a cool spot and stay in it during the hottest hours of the day.
This can be in hedgerows, the top of a tree canopy, or any shady, safe spot. Many birds will build their nests in shade, too. So when you're putting up a nest box, make sure it's not in direct sunlight!
Gular Fluttering
This is an odd and confusing way that adult birds reduce their body heat on a hot summer's day. They remove excess heat by expelling it from their throat. This brings in cooler air quickly.
For example, you may spot herons opening their beak and fluttering the gular muscles in extreme heat.
Changing Their Daily Routine
Birds will change their routine; they'll be more active in the early morning and dusk, when the weather is cooler. This helps them conserve energy and rest during high temperatures.
How You Can Help Birds Stay Cool in Summer
Provide Fresh Water & Add a Bird Bath to Your Garden
In the summer, birds need fresh water for more than just drinking, they use it to cool down and keep their feathers in good condition.
If you can, refil water sources daily, and keep the water clean and shallow (deep water can be dangerous for smaller birds)!
Create Shady Spaces
On a summers day, birds will naturally seek shade to avoid overheating. Ensuring you've got trees, hedges or dense shrubs in your garden, and maybe leaving them a little bit wild, is a great way to provide shelter.
Leave Out Food During Dry Spells
Hot, dry weather can make finding natural food hard for birds. Leaving high energy bird food out will help give birds the energy they need when resources are limited.
How Does Climate Change affect Birds?
Unfortunately, rising temperatures due to climate are making heatwaves more intense, increasing the risk to birds, especially for things like dehydration and stress.
With the weather becoming warmer earlier, migration patterns can be disrupted, and when birds arrive to early or late, it can affect their chances of finding food.
Habitat loss due to extreme weather (like droughts or wildfires) reduces safe nesting and shelter area!
