Ever Wondered Where Birds Go When It Rains? The Answer May Surprise You!
Spring is in the air, and you know what that means – April showers! Wonder where birds go when it rains? Well, the answer will fascinate you! 🐦💧 #birdsinthestorm #backyardbirding #springshowers #RDmag
Winona, Minnesota – Spring is in the air, and you know what that means – April showers are on their way to bring those May flowers! But have you ever wondered where birds take shelter when those rain clouds roll in and start dumping buckets? We’ve got the inside scoop on their storm survival secrets!
🐦 Large and In Charge
When it comes to bigger birds like gulls, hawks, pigeons, and herons who live their lives out in the open, they tend to just ride out the rain. Yep, you heard that right – they simply sit tight and wait for the downpour to pass! I guess when you’re a big bird, a little water off your back is no big deal. LOL.
🌳 Snug as a Bug in a… Branch?
But what about those cute little songbirds we love seeing flit around the trees and shrubs? Turns out they’re pretty savvy when it comes to staying dry. They seek out sheltered spots under overhanging branches or nestle up close to tree trunks to stay out of the rain. Some birds who live near towns or farms will even take cover on porches or in sheds. Smart little cookies!
🌩️ Do Birds Have a Sixth Sense for Storms?
Here’s where things get really interesting. It turns out our feathered friends can actually sense when a big storm is brewing! Birds are able to recognize changes in air pressure that often signal a major weather shift is on the way. And when they feel those changes coming, they kick their food foraging into high gear, often flocking to bird feeders for an easy meal before the storm hits.
🌿 Hunker Down, Little Birdies!
So when the gales start blowing and the rain is really coming down hard, where do birds go for the ultimate protection? They head for the thick of it! Dense shrubs, heavy thickets, the downwind side of forests – if it provides good cover, birds will tuck themselves away in it to ride out the storm. Some birds, like those who make their nests in tree cavities, will even hunker down in nest boxes or natural cavities to stay safe and dry.
🏡 How You Can Help Birds Weather the Storms
Want to help out your neighborhood birds during rainy and stormy times? It’s easier than you think! Planting native shrubs, trees and plants densely around your yard provides feathered friends with plenty of protected places to hide out. Evergreens are an especially good pick since birds can take cover under their year-round foliage.
Got some dead trees on your property? Don’t cut them down! Standing dead trees, called snags, are like high-rise hotels for cavity-nesting birds. As snags decay, they develop all sorts of holes and crannies that birds will eagerly turn into cozy hideaways.
You can even build your own birdie B&B by making a simple brush pile in your yard. Just criss-cross some logs, pile smaller branches on top, and voila – you’ve got a dome-shaped dwelling that birds (and other small wildlife) will gratefully shelter in.
So the next time rain clouds gather, you can rest assured knowing your backyard birds have plenty of places to stay safe and dry, especially if you’ve put out the welcome mat for them!
🗣 Did you know these interesting facts about birds? Have a question you’d like answered? We’d LOVE to hear from you in the comments section below. ⬇️