Comments on: Where do the birds go when it rains?

Question: Where do the birds go when it rains?

agropyron — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 12:38:55 -0800

BirdFeederFilter: When it's gloomy and rainy, I don't see any birds at my birdfeeder for days on end. Then as soon as it's sunny, they're all over the place. What gives? What do they do on rainy days, just forage near their nest? Don't birds gotta eat when it rains?

By: Pollomacho

Pollomacho — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 12:49:04 -0800

If it isn't going to rain for long the birds find a drier place to hide. If it's raining and there are birds at your feeder, you can expect it to rain for a while.

By: shifafa

shifafa — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 12:53:52 -0800

First of all, birds don't live in nests. They build nests only when they are ready to raise a family, and the nest is usually abandoned afterwards. (There are exceptions, such as woodpeckers, and often cavity nesting birds like chickadees will roost in their nest cavity at night - esp. during the winter.)

Most birds have a home feeding territory. When it rains, they behave kind of like we do, hunkering down more, and sticking closer to the trees. Wet feathers are fine for preening, but make it difficult to fly.

If your feeders are under a shelter, the birds may be more inclined to hang out there. I always have half a dozen birds roosting under my patio umbrella in the rain. Some shrubs or trees near the feeder might help, as well.

Good luck!

By: smackfu

smackfu — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 13:26:48 -0800

So where do birds live, if they don't live in nests?

By: the cuban

the cuban — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 13:39:37 -0800

In hedges, shrubbery and up trees.

Half asleep, mostly.

By: orlin

orlin — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 14:22:35 -0800

They are just like you and me -- they hide in bad weather. Take it from me -- I'm from a very bad weather area.

By: kindall

kindall — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 18:58:33 -0800

Also, remember, worms come out when it rains because they can't breathe. So, bird buffet.

By: languagehat

languagehat — Sat, 19 Nov 2005 06:24:33 -0800

I guess that's why the feeder in my front yard isn't getting any action -- the maple tree has lost its leaves, so there's no incentive for birds to frequent it. You'd think they'd notice the free food, though.

By: shifafa

shifafa — Sat, 19 Nov 2005 09:13:29 -0800

languagehat, have you had birds at your feeder before?

- if you have, and they are no longer there, perhaps they are migratory. Or your food got stale, or wet and moldy, or something tasty turned up in the natural world.

- if the birds have never discovered your feeder, keep these facts in mind: 1) it will take birds at least a couple of weeks to notice the food, in the best of circumstances; 2) they may not stumble upon it at all, in which case you must attract them another way.

In the case of 2) perch a fake bird of the right size on the feeder, scatter a mixture of light and dark seed on a visible surface, or provide water for the birds nearby. Any dripping sound will attract them, even if you just have an old milk jug slowly dripping into a shallow bowl of water.

By: languagehat

languagehat — Sat, 19 Nov 2005 09:56:56 -0800

Oh yeah, the little fellows loved the feeder all summer. The feeder's been out in the rain, so I'm sure the seeds got wet; I didn't realize that could cause problems. Maybe I should dump what's in there now.