Central Oregon is on track to break temperature records this summer (again), reminding us that the High Desert sun is no joke. High temperatures can lead to dehydration, heatstroke, and even death for our feathered neighbors. The good news? There are simple, affordable steps everyone can take to create a life-saving oasis for our visiting yard birds. From emergency water stations to creative shade solutions for yards and nests, small actions in your backyard can make significant differences in the lives of local birds.
Why High Heat is Deadly for Birds
Watch your backyard on a hot day, and you’ll likely spot birds sitting with their beaks open, feathers tightly pressed to their bodies, and their wings held out to allow heat to escape. With normal bird body temperatures already hovering between 102-105°F, there’s precious little margin for error for birds in high heat. Birds face a unique physiological challenge when temperatures soar over 90-100°F.
Unlike humans, birds don’t sweat. Instead, they rely on gular fluttering (“panting” by vibrating their throat muscles to reduce heat), which is notably different from a dog’s panting. Their bare legs and faces also help regulate body temperature through heat loss. Being less active during the hottest parts of the day also keeps them cooler. Even with these strategies, birds can still wind up dehydrated, overheated, and unable to forage for food and care for their young.
The stakes couldn’t be higher if birds are nesting. When temperatures exceed 107°F, bird eggs won’t hatch, and nestlings under nine days old die from heat stress or dehydration. When air temperatures hit 100°F or higher, nest box interiors and nests in eaves or roofs can reach lethal levels of 110-120°F or more. Without intervention, many don’t survive. Here are a few simple tricks and tips to help our avian friends.
Water stations: A dependable drink is the single biggest favor you can offer. Along with a birdbath, set out one or more shallow water trays, 1–2 inches deep (such as pie tins, pans, or plant saucers). Place fist-size stones inside for footing. Reduce predator risk by putting trays off the ground. Cool the water by adding frozen plastic water containers; as the ice melts, it cools the water. Moving water is a magnet. Solar-powered bubblers, hose-drippers, or mist sprinklers work well. Scrub your water baths regularly, as they will develop algae much more rapidly in the heat.
Natural shade: Shade creates the cool microclimates that allow birds to survive our brutal afternoon sun. For the long-term, plant drought-tolerant natives such as serviceberry or chokecherry that cast layered shade and host insect larvae that hungry nestlings eat. Even dense, leafy potted plants and bunch grasses create cooler microclimates. Rock landscapes intensify and hold heat, so use sparingly.
Creative shade: In the short-term, get creative. When the heat skyrockets, use shade cloth (or painter’s cloth or sheets), shade sails, and patio umbrellas with heavy bases to shade feeders, baths, bird boxes, and nests in eaves. Be cautious with canopies, as they can retain heat. Consider building shade structures using PVC frames or wooden posts. Lattice trellises with vines, such as trumpet honeysuckle, invite birds and cool things down. Ensure good airflow under any shade structures.
Cool feeders: Place feeders and baths where shade already exists, such as under eaves, porches, or the north side of homes. Be careful not to cause bird window collisions with your placement, or use window treatments. Use shepherd hooks and plant stands to place feeders in naturally shaded areas, but avoid putting them too close to shrubs and trees where predators may lurk. Avoid metal feeders and bird baths generally. And forgo suet once the temperature reaches 80°F.
Stop the heat: Boxes and home roofs are heat traps. Insulate using hard Styrofoam, white-painted plywood, or corrugated plastic sheathing. For nest boxes, create double roofs by clamping on any of the above, making it larger than the box top for added shade. For nests in eaves or roof lines, add large boards or Styrofoam on the roof over the nest area below. Be sure to add space between the box top or roof and the insulating boards using spacers for boxes and 2x4s for roofs. This simple trick can drop nesting area temperatures by 5-10 degrees. Be very careful with active nestlings to avoid making such a ruckus that they abandon the nest too soon.
By taking these simple steps – providing emergency water and keeping birds cool – we can make our yards havens for birds during the scorching summer months. To help further during critical times, we can reduce bird stress by limiting yard activity, keeping cats indoors, especially during nesting season, and maintaining quiet zones near active nests. Let’s work together to ensure our feathered neighbors stay cool and healthy, adding their beauty and song to our community for years to come.
Helping a Heat-Stressed Bird:
- Never put water into a bird’s open mouth; they can drown.
- Distress signs = listlessness, heavy panting, no fear of humans being exposed in the open and unable to fly.
- Move the bird to shade, offer water in dish.
- Do not feed.
- Contact a wildlife rescue.
This article appears in Source Weekly July 24, 2025.
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