When It Storms, Where Do The Birds Go? - ABC News

Home » Where Do Birds Go When It Rains » When It Storms, Where Do The Birds Go? - ABC News

Maybe your like

Skip to main contentSkip to news navigation, settings and search

Explore the ABC

ABC Homepage
  • news
  • iview
  • listen
ABC NewsNews HomeWhen it storms, where do the birds go?ShareShare articleWhen it storms, where do the birds go?
  • ABC News reporter, Amanda HohA

    By Amanda Hoh

  • ABC Radio Sydney

  • Topic:Birds

Fri 29 Jan 2016Friday 29 January 2016Fri 29 Jan 2016 at 12:10pm
Birds fly around a dead tree

While birds can take care of themselves, it doesn't hurt to give them a helping hand once the storm passes. (Edward Handley: User submitted)

abc.net.au/news/when-it-storms-where-do-the-birds-go/7123870ShareShare article

When rain, hail or lightning hits, we typically run for shelter indoors and wrap up in cosy attire. But what happens to birds?

Well, they "batten down the hatches too", according to Birdlife Australia manager Dr Holly Parsons.

"A bit of rain doesn't worry many birds but in a particularly bad storm, birds are going to seek some shelter — so they're going to pop up on your back deck," she said.

"They're going to find some dense shrubs and they'll be going into trees close to tree trunks and holding on tight."

While birds can be blown away, injured or killed in a bad storm, Dr Parsons told 702 ABC Sydney's Robbie Buck that most "tend to cope OK".

Which birds weather the storm best?

Currawong bird

Passerine birds like the currawong can lock down on branches using tendons in their legs. (Chuan Chew)

According to Dr Parsons passerines or "perching birds" like magpies, currawongs and fairy-wrens are the most sturdy order of birds as their feet are designed to have to three toes forward and three toes back to grip onto branches.

They also have a tendon in their legs which locks down tight to help them hold on.

Can birds predict the weather?

There is some evidence that birds respond to drops in pressure and therefore seek shelter before a storm hits.

They also tend to avoid high trees during lightning storms to avoid being whipped around from the tops of trees.

What can we do to help?

While birds can take care of themselves, it doesn't hurt to give them a helping hand once the storm passes.

"Take a look outside and check there's no birds that are injured," Dr Parsons said.

"If there are contact wildlife rescue, but for the most part birds are going to be fine."

ABC Emergency

Search any location in Australia to find nearby active incidentsFind an incident

Plan for an emergency

  • Plan for a Storm
  • Plan for a Flood

Top Stories

Social media ban leaves families, teens questioning access and verification

LIVE

A yellow screen alerting the phone's user to verify their age.

Melbourne influencer died from haemorrhage after freebirth, court hears

Topic:Courts

Stacey Warnecke smiles at the camera.

Luigi Mangione's alleged notes to self: 'Pluck eyebrows', 'Keep momentum'

Topic:Law, Crime and Justice

A screenshot from bodycam footage of Luigi Mangione sitting at a McDonald's table, talking to a police officer.

Stieglitz residents stay to defend homes from bushfire

Topic:Bushfires

An orange bushfire burns behind a coastal town.

Cummins's return made official as Aussies name squad for Adelaide

Topic:Ashes

Australia men's Test cricket captain Pat Cummins wearing a hat and jacket, walking on the field

Melbourne influencer died from haemorrhage after freebirth, court hears

Topic:Courts

Stacey Warnecke smiles at the camera.

Children as young as 10 to be fitted with ankle monitors under proposed laws

Topic:Crime

Queensland police GPS tracker on an ankle worn by a person on a Brisbane city street.

Luigi Mangione's alleged notes to self: 'Pluck eyebrows', 'Keep momentum'

Topic:Law, Crime and Justice

A screenshot from bodycam footage of Luigi Mangione sitting at a McDonald's table, talking to a police officer.

Related topics

  • Birds

  • Human Interest

  • Storms

  • Sydney

  • Weather

  1. Social media ban leaves families, teens questioning access and verification

    LIVE

    A yellow screen alerting the phone's user to verify their age.

  2. Melbourne influencer died from haemorrhage after freebirth, court hears

    Topic:Courts

  3. Luigi Mangione's alleged notes to self: 'Pluck eyebrows', 'Keep momentum'

    Topic:Law, Crime and Justice

  4. Stieglitz residents stay to defend homes from bushfire

    Topic:Bushfires

  5. Cummins's return made official as Aussies name squad for Adelaide

    Topic:Ashes

Just In

  1. Canberra man jailed over series of high-speed chases

    Topic:Courts

    14m ago14 minutes agoWed 10 Dec 2025 at 5:02am

  2. Defence issues brief on Chinese flotilla but 'final destination' unknown

    Topic:Foreign Affairs

    26m ago26 minutes agoWed 10 Dec 2025 at 4:50am

  3. Children as young as 10 to be fitted with ankle monitors under proposed laws

    Topic:Crime

    14m ago14 minutes agoWed 10 Dec 2025 at 5:02am

  4. Tasmania's bushfire danger arrived suddenly. Here's how to prepare

    Topic:Explainer

    24m ago24 minutes agoWed 10 Dec 2025 at 4:52am
More Just InBack to top

Tag » Where Do Birds Go When It Rains