Keeping Birds Cool in Summer

Heat, stress and dehydration can be fatal, and small animals such as birds are especially susceptible. Hot humid days are especially dangerous, as heat loss is reduced in high humidity. Most birds have a body temperature of about 40 degrees, which is higher than that of mammals. They also have a higher metabolic rate; eat more than we do for their body size and have an energetic lifestyle – all of which generates further body heat. Although they have no sweat glands, birds are great at regulating their body temperature in other ways. 

Birds cool themselves by having bare areas of skin on the feet, legs and face, or through behavior. If given the opportunity, they will bathe in water, seek shade or soar at high altitudes to cool off. If your pet bird is too hot, you might see rapid breathing, spreading of its feathers or sitting on the bottom of the cage looking listless and weak.

Birds have featherless areas underneath their wings, so they dissipate heat by holding their wings away from their body when they are too hot, allowing air to circulate around this bare skin. 

If you see these behaviours, it may mean your bird is overheating and possibly suffering from dehydration. If your bird is displaying signs of heat stress, contact the vet as soon as possible. 

To ensure the health and safety of your bird during the warm weather, it is important to make sure they have access to shade and/or a bath. The room should be well ventilated, away from direct sunlight and use fans or air conditioning to cool the area. Spraying your pet with misted water can help keep them cool but be careful not to scare them. If you are feeling the heat, then so is your bird.