When storms roll in, birds—like all creatures—must adapt to survive. While birds possess natural instincts and behaviors that help them navigate harsh weather, they can still benefit from a little human assistance. By understanding how birds sense and prepare for storms, and how we can support them during and after severe weather, we can make a significant difference in helping our feathered friends thrive through tough times. Here’s how birds survive storms and what you can do to help them.
Birds Sense Environmental Changes
Birds have an incredible ability to detect shifts in weather. Before a storm even arrives, they sense changes in atmospheric pressure, temperature, and wind speed. This heightened sensitivity allows birds to begin preparing for impending bad weather long before it hits.
When a storm approaches, you may notice birds behaving differently. They often become more active as they feed heavily to build up energy reserves, knowing that they may need to ride out a period of poor weather. Some species may even adjust their flight patterns or flee the area entirely if conditions become too severe.
By understanding this, we can better anticipate how to assist birds during rough weather, especially by preparing their environment in advance.
Sheltering Techniques: Where Birds Find Refuge
During storms, birds seek out natural shelters to protect themselves from the elements. Dense bushes, thick trees, or crevices in natural formations provide birds with protection from strong winds and rain. Birds will often hunker down in these hidden spots to wait out the storm, staying as still as possible to conserve energy.
In urban or suburban settings, birds may find shelter in man-made structures, such as under roof eaves, inside barns, or beneath the cover of bridges. Their instinct is to find areas where they can remain hidden and shielded from harsh weather conditions.
How You Can Help: You can create safe spaces for birds by offering additional shelter in your yard. Birdhouses, dense shrubbery, or even building a simple bird shelter using materials like wood and leaves can make a significant difference. These shelters will offer protection from wind and rain, helping birds feel more secure during storms.
Energy Conservation: How Birds Prepare Before a Storm
One of the ways birds prepare for storms is by conserving energy. Before a storm hits, birds instinctively increase their food intake. They feed heavily in the hours or even days leading up to severe weather, knowing that they may need to rely on stored energy if they are unable to find food during or after the storm.
This behavior is particularly important for small songbirds, which have high metabolisms and need a constant supply of food to stay warm and healthy. When food sources become scarce due to weather conditions, the energy they store beforehand can be the key to their survival.
How You Can Help: Set up bird feeders in your yard and keep them stocked, especially when you know a storm is approaching. High-energy foods like sunflower seeds, suet, and mealworms provide birds with the nutrition they need to build energy reserves. By offering these options, you help ensure that birds have access to food even when natural sources are less available.
Human Assistance: Providing Shelter, Food, and Safe Spaces
While birds have impressive survival tactics, human intervention can make a significant difference in helping them weather the storm. Aside from creating shelter and providing food, there are other practical ways to assist birds during extreme weather events:
- Provide Water: Storms can disrupt a bird’s access to clean water, so keeping birdbaths full before and after a storm can help them stay hydrated.
- Check Birdhouses: Make sure your birdhouses are sturdy and securely fastened to withstand strong winds. Consider placing them in areas that provide additional protection from the elements.
- Reduce Hazards: Remove any potential hazards from your yard, such as loose debris or garden furniture that could be blown around and harm birds.
By thinking ahead and preparing your space to be bird-friendly during storms, you help reduce the challenges birds face in extreme weather.
Post-Storm Recovery: Helping Birds After the Storm
Once a storm has passed, birds may be injured, exhausted, or disoriented. It's during this time that they often need the most help. Birds that have been blown off course or caught in severe winds may struggle to find food and shelter in the aftermath of a storm.
What You Can Do:
- Continue Feeding: Keep bird feeders full with high-energy food to help birds regain strength.
- Provide Fresh Water: Ensure your birdbaths are clean and filled with fresh water.
- Check for Injured Birds: After a storm, you may find birds that are injured or exhausted. If you encounter a bird in distress, contact a local wildlife rehabilitation center for advice on how to help.
By offering resources in the days following a storm, you can help birds recover quickly and return to their normal routines.
Conclusion
Birds have remarkable survival instincts that allow them to endure even the most devastating storms. From sensing changes in weather to finding shelter and conserving energy, they do their best to protect themselves from harm. However, as humans, we can play a vital role in ensuring their safety and comfort during these challenging times. By providing shelter, food, water, and safe spaces, we can help birds not only survive storms but thrive afterward.
Taking the time to support birds during severe weather is a small but impactful way to give back to nature. Whether it’s through setting up feeders, offering a place for them to shelter, or aiding in their recovery, we can all do our part to protect our feathered friends when they need it most.
