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Heatwaves Harm Birds: Experts Warn of Nest Box Dangers
29 Jul
Summary
- Extreme heat can benefit birds by making insects more visible for parents.
- Young birds struggle to regulate body temperature in both heat and cold.
- Nest boxes can reach 35C, posing a significant risk to chicks.
Repeated heatwaves have created a complex situation for bird populations, with potential benefits and significant risks. For some species, increased local temperatures can make insects more visible, which are a crucial food source for nesting birds. This visibility can lead to higher productivity as parents find prey more easily.
However, young birds, much like humans, have difficulty regulating their body temperature. Cameras in bird boxes have captured internal temperatures reaching 35C (95F), a severe issue within confined spaces. This extreme heat can be dangerous for chicks. Additionally, sudden temperature drops following hot spells can affect birds that breed early in the season.
Species like swifts, which nest later in the summer, can also struggle under extreme heat conditions, with chicks visibly panting. Experts emphasize that the timing, not just the existence, of extreme weather events impacts different bird species uniquely. To help birds, it is recommended to position nest boxes on north and east-facing walls or anchor points.
