How Wild Birds Cool Down In Hot Weather

During the hot weather of the summer weather, wild birds use several methods to help keep them cool and protect against the sometimes intense heat experienced in summer:

Bare Skin: Birds have bare skin patches on certain surfaces e.g., legs, feet and face, which allows greater heat loss than if their bodies were fully feathered. Breathing Rate: Birds have rapid breathing rates that allows for greater heat dissipation through regular breathing. Bill Size: Some tropical birds have large bills with a rich blood supply. In hot temperatures, the birds can increase the blood flow to their bills to help release heat. In cooler temperatures, the blood flow slows and heat is retained. Panting: Wild birds will open their bills and pant to help dissipate heat on a hot day. This is very similar to the method used by dogs to help them cool down in hot weather. Activity Level: Birds will adapt their daily activities to suit the climate. For example, in hot temperatures, birds are less active during the hottest part of the day and more active later on in the day when things start to cool down. Shade: During hot periods, birds will seek shady areas, such as near water sources. Bathing: Some birds will bathe in hot weather to cool their bodies. This is why it is important to provide bird baths. Spreading Feathers: During any breeze, birds may spread out their features or flutter their wings to let the air circulate around their skin. Reduced Solar Radiation: Some birds may turn their lighter parts toward the sun so that more heat is reflected away from them. Breeding Range: Many birds from warmer climates will seek out cooler locations at more northern latitudes.

To help care for garden birds during the hot summer months, it is recommended to provide a bird bath and keep this topped up with fresh, clean water. This will provide water for birds to drink and to bathe in, keeping them well watered and cool. Remember that on hot days, the water may evaporate quickly, so ensure it is regularly topped up. Also ensure that any nest boxes, bird baths and bird feeders are positioned to be protected, as much as possible, from the midday sun. It also important to provide a constant source of nutritional bird food through well-positioned bird feeders that will allow so that birds will not need to overheat themselves seeking food on hot summer days.