Soaring temperatures can be worrisome for gardeners, as we battle to keep our plants hydrated and stop our lawn turning brown. But, it isn't just plants that struggle in such extreme heat, garden wildlife also needs your help staying cool and energized. Luckily, there are quite a few things you can do to help birds in a heatwave.
Of course, methods to help garden birds in summer already play a role in keeping birds hydrated, cool, and well-fed, but when extreme temperatures come along some extra assistance is required. Hot, dry days can drain birds' energy and leave them feeling overheated. But, by offering high-energy foods, plenty of shade, and clean water sources, you can do plenty to help.
Here, garden experts share their top ways for helping feathered friends cope with the extreme hot days we're currently experiencing. They're all easy and affordable to recreate, and they'll bring even more birds to the sanctuary of your backyard this summer.
3 ways to help birds in the heat
Don't forget about other wildlife in the heatwave, too. You can make a bee watering station to help out pollinators, for example. In fact, many of these ways to help birds in a heatwave will also help out other creatures in your yard:
1. Put out high-energy foods
There are lots of ways to feed birds and lots of types of bird feeders to choose from. But, wanting to help birds in a heatwave requires some careful selection of the type of bird food you put out for them.
In particular, high-energy, nutritious foods should be prioritized. This will help birds defeat any drowsy feelings in such hot temperatures.
'Mealworms (from Amazon), live or dried, are a high-protein food and easy for birds to digest,' notes garden expert Michael Clarke. 'Black-oil sunflower seeds (from Walmart) are high in fat and preferred by many species and peanut pieces, unsalted and unroasted are dense in energy,' he adds.
Not only this, but you can also feed birds apples and pears which contain plenty of natural sugars and will hydrate them.
Something important to note with changing up the food you out for birds is it shouldn't become part of their regular diet. Human foods in particular, including putting cooked potato in a bird feeder, should be only an occasional snack.
Consider turning back to commercial bird seed mixes (from Amazon) once temperatures cool down again. This will provide the birds with a more balanced diet.
2. Keep water sources topped up, even at night
It's obvious to say, but one of the best ways to help birds in a heatwave is by supplying water, either in a bird bath or shallow dish (like this from Amazon).
'Water is absolutely vital. Birds lose moisture quickly in high heat, so providing fresh, cool water can be life-saving,' says Siobhan Shaw, founder of Growing to Give.
'The best times to refill bird baths or shallow water stations are early in the morning and again at dusk, when temperatures are lower and birds are most active,' she notes.
Siobhan urges to not forget about nocturnal birds, too:
'Owls and nighthawks all need water too. They often come in quietly after dark. I once glanced up from my garden one hot evening and saw an owl perched patiently, waiting for me to fill a water dish. That gentle moisture draws them in, just as it would a thirsty human,' she says.
As well as keeping water sources topped up, make sure to clean your bird bath. Products like this bird bath cleaner from Amazon are safe for birds.
'If you have a sprinkler, you should also turn it on lightly in the evening. Hummingbirds and other small birds adore flying through the mist; it mimics a gentle summer rain and helps them wash and cool off,' Siobhan advises.
This will also help protect your lawn during a heatwave, so consider getting your hands on a water sprinkler (like this one from Amazon).
3. Provide plenty of garden shade
Not only are you yearning for some garden shade when temperatures soar, birds are also in need of a shady spot to cool down in.
'Opt for native planting when it comes to trees and shrubs, which will provide shady spots for birds and install shade cloth (from Amazon) or garden umbrellas near feeders and baths,' suggests Michael. 'You can also hang feeders and baths under eaves or pergolas,' he adds.
Other options include moving feeders to beneath trees and even using these plant umbrellas from Amazon, which will also protect plants from the scorching sun.
FAQs
Should I put up a birdhouse for birds during a heatwave?
While bird houses do provide shelter for birds, it isn't necessarily their first point of call during a heatwave. Instead, they're likely to seek shrubs and trees for natural, cool shade. However, bird houses are excellent resources for nesting and roosting birds, so it's worth having them in your yard for breeding season.
If you're unsure whether the birds in your yard are struggling with the heat, Siobhan has a tell-tale sign for you to look out for:
'Birds, just like us, feel the stress of extreme heat and they have some fascinating ways of showing it. One clear sign they’re struggling is when they sit with their beaks open, a behavior called 'gular fluttering,' which helps them cool down. When you see that, it’s your cue to step in and help,' she says.
Don't forget to continue helping birds when the temperatures cool down, too. There are plenty of ways to help birds during breeding season, and plenty of ways to help feed birds in winter, for example.
