What Happens to Birds During Hurricanes?

TL;DR

Birds and other airborne animals have been observed riding out hurricanes in the eye of the storm, which provides a relatively safe and calm environment due to low pressure and warm air. However, their survival is not guaranteed, as they can be worn out by constant flying and risk being blown off course.

Transcript

[ ♪ Intro ♪ ] The 2017 hurricane season sure packed a wallop. Three major storms -- Harvey, Irma, and Maria -- decimated the Caribbean and the southern US. While the focus has rightfully been on the impacts to those living in the storm’s path, you might wonder how other creatures fared. Some species seem to be able to sense the impending danger and... Read More

Key Insights

• 🐦 Hurricanes have a significant impact on various animal species, including birds and airborne animals.
• 😃 Birds and insects have been observed sheltering in the eye of a hurricane, taking advantage of the calm environment.
• 😃 The eye of the storm provides low pressure, warm air, and absence of clouds, making it relatively safe for birds.
• 😃 The eyewall, surrounding the eye, poses the greatest danger with heavy rainfall and strong winds.
• 😃 Birds can be worn out from constant flying within the eye and may risk being blown off course.
• 🧑‍🏭 Survival and well-being of birds during hurricanes depend on various factors, including the duration of the storm.
• 🐦 Collecting data on bird behavior during and after hurricanes is challenging but crucial for understanding their resilience.

Questions & Answers

Q: How do birds and other airborne animals manage to survive in the eye of a hurricane?

Birds and airborne animals find themselves in the eye of the storm either by chance or because the eye forms around them. The eye offers a calm environment with low pressure, warm air, and no clouds, making it relatively safe for them.

Q: What is the real danger for birds in a hurricane?

The real danger for birds is encountering the eyewall, the vertical wall of clouds surrounding the eye. The eyewall has the heaviest rainfall and strongest winds, posing a significant threat to the survival and well-being of birds.

Q: What challenges do birds face when they ride out a hurricane in the eye of the storm?

Birds are constantly flapping their wings to stay within the eye, as they cannot stop to sleep or eat. This kind of travel can wear them out, and some birds may die as a result. Additionally, they can be blown off course, impacting their migration patterns.

Q: How can birdwatchers and the public contribute to the understanding of bird behavior during hurricanes?

Birdwatchers and the public can contribute to citizen science efforts by reporting observations of "hurricane birds," which are species that are found well outside their usual habitats during or after a storm. These observations can help scientists learn more about how animals cope with tropical cyclones.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Hurricanes pose a threat to various animal species, including birds and airborne animals.

• Using dual-polarization radar, meteorologists have observed birds and insects taking shelter in the eye of the storm.

• The eye of the storm offers a relatively safe environment due to low pressure, warm air, and absence of clouds, but birds can still face challenges and risks.