Provided the forecast for possibly historic weather conditions, people all over the PNW are preparing themselves for heavy rain, wind, and the falling trees, debris and power outages that may follow as a result. For many (though sadly not all) people, these preparations may be as simple as a trip to the grocery store and a commitment to stay within the safety of their homes for the weekend. But what becomes of our wildlife? How might they weather the predicted 60mph winds and stay warm enough to survive such conditions?
Despite their delicate reputation, birds are well adapted to survive even intense weather. This is perhaps unremarkable, given that survival is really the name of the game and that stochastic weather conditions are an inevitable part of an animal’s life. To prepare for such weather events, some research suggests that birds and other animals are sensitive to the pressure drops that anticipate severe weather and increase their food intake as a result1. Since foraging may be altered or inhibited during bad weather, this kind of preparation goes a long way to keep birds sated. For this reason, making sure feeders are kept stocked or offering high nutrition items such as bird friendly corn bread is the best way you can aid your feathered companions in advance of a storm.
Precisely what a bird does during the height of the storm comes down largely to its life history, such as whether it is a cavity nester and rooster, and whether it’s migratory or residential. For cavity nesting and roosting species such as woodpeckers and chickadees, natural and artificial cavities like bird houses can make good retreats. Birds that do not already make use of cavities such as crows or hummingbirds, however, will find refuge in the dense vegetation of conifer trees or shrubs. While the exteriors of trees and shrubs may take a beating, their interior microhabitats can be substantially drier, warmer, and more stable, providing a suitable space for birds to wait out the worst of a storm in safety. Migratory birds on the other hand can simply fly around areas of heavy wind. As a last resort they may even take shelter in some odd places, like a public restroom.
A marabou stork finds refuge from hurricane Matthew in a bathroom at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm and Zoological Park. Photo c/o Gen Anderson/via AP
Even if the crows are getting blown around a bit, their hold on a perch is at little risk of giving way. Since crows are passerines (aka perching birds), their feet lock around a perch at rest, meaning that rather than taking energy to hold on, it actually takes effort to let go. This keeps them well secured even in windy conditions. Lastly, their feathers keep them protected from the rain and cold temperatures that may accompany a bad storm. Although crows will articulate their feathers for certain kinds of behavioral displays, puffing their feathers also traps insulating air and with it, heat.
A crow puffs its feathers on a chilly morning
Literature cited
corvidresearch.blog 
Thank you! Excellent info! This means those crow protein bars were just in the nick of time, and hopefully, the chickadees will make use of the faux trees and nesting box, if needed.
❤️ ❤️ ❤️ 🙂
I have noticed that when rain is coming ( but not there yet, I will see crows all alongthe sidebanks of roadways –yes they feel the change in air pressure–but I wonder what they are doing doing there. They seem to be feeding -maybe getting gravvel—or do worms come to the surface before a rain?????CAN ANYBODY GIVE ME AN EDUCATED EXPLANATION FOR THIS BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN WONDERING FOR A VERY LONG TIME!!
THANKS VERY MUCH 🙂
Hi Suzanne, while most insects hide out from the rain some do surface specifically during this time, making them more accessible to hungry birds. Some terrestrial insects, for example, come out when it rains to release mate attracting pheromones. Worms also surface during wet weather but it is not to escape from drowning as many people think. The wet terrain simply allows them to migrate across the surface of the ground which in other conditions would likely make them dry out. The reason they do it makes no difference to the crows though, who certainly take the opportunity to gorge on protein rich worms!
Thank you for all your information. So very nice to amongst humans that are pro-crow.
Great to have you!
How about the crow commute? I’d been wondering whether the crows would go as far from their roost as usual in the morning, or what happens if a storm comes up while they’re out and about for the day and the journey back to the roost could be dangerous – I’m guessing they’d have a sense of the storm coming and not travel as far in the first place? Or would they work their way back to the roost slowly, or not try to get back until the weather settled down?
Great question and not one I have the answer to. Certainly once it hits they wouldn’t make the trip to the roost until things cleared up. We don’t have very good sense though for how far in advance of a storm birds can detect those changes, so there’s no data for me to say when or if they would decide not to venture far form the roost. Great questions!
I have noticed over and over again while travelling by car that I see many more crows than usual on the ground on the sides of the roads and yes seemingly feeding It came to the point that I could predict rain from ghis phenomenon. Now I know why- they sense air pressure and also eat more to prepare.
I love crows. They are very smart birds. Hollywood link them to evil because of their color, but that is nonsense. that just the natural feather color God created them to have . Just like some white doves.f
We need to think much further back in human history than Hollywood. Perhaps I’ll do another mythology post…
Hello from Ocala Florida. We have had some nasty hurricanes in two years, Matthew and Irma . I moved here in 2016 and became friends with a pair of crows and what turned to be my flock of seven. We are quite friendly. Last year hurricane Irma did a lot of damage to my neighborhood, in mid storm I heard flock calls which sounded panicky and called to them they came and sheltered on my porch 2 were about to hop , but hadn’t fledged. The next day we a) picked ourselves up and went on. My crows became much more friendly ( and I give them grain free dog food and veggies) and they started bringing me bottlecaps . This year, babies came earlier and were much more healthy and even more friendly. I knew the storm would hit, and expecting them to come, I called. Nothing. I didn’t see them for 3 days. When they got home, there were only 6. And they all seemed to miss him his name was sideswipe because he only could eat from the side, a birth defect or accident had deformed his mandible. I miss him. I have had the wonderful experience of learning about forbids from Dana McDonald who is teaching people about forbids. And I learn from the flock. I’m thinking they KNEW well before it hit and we were many miles inland from the storm but still.. they left. They understood . And they bred early so they could leave if it happened again . I would love to talk to someone in florida or the south about the differences in size, and why bottlecaps from dansi water. They know my car, they come tap on the window, a special one will come share a chair and eat biscuits from my hand.
My HOA hates them and has been pretty hostile about them being pets. They are NOT pets, just friends. And I am a parrot owner who is devoted to proper care love and busy work . Anyone out there?
Hi Melody! I would encourage you to post this story to the CorvidResearch Facebook group. I think you’re more likely to connect with fellow Floridians there! If you have general crow questions though, I’m happy to answer them. https://www.facebook.com/groups/530696494050924/?ref=bookmarks
‘called to them they came and sheltered on my porch’ – omg I’m so envious, it’s like a Disney film! 😂 I’ve been feeding the same Crows for years but they’re still a little wary, when I attempt a Crow call they just glance from the roof then look the other way; maybe UK Crows are more standoffish. Or my Crow calls are crap 😂 I did have 1, on a UK holiday, that perched outside the window waiting for digestive biscuits, obviously used to being fed by tourists, after a couple of days another Crow joined it. I didn’t want to come home..
Thank you!
Why crows sit on the top of tall trees (birch and maple) when it rains heavily and don’t hide lower under foliage? The rain water is not unpleasant for them? Or they don’t like hiding low – under roofs and closer to ground?
They have a thick skin, er waterproof feather layer, which makes them tough in the rain. If it’s really bad they can seek shelter (as you read) but sometimes they prefer to tough it out!
Thank you! I was looking for the answer a long time, now I know.
I worry about all animals,,I found a crow curb of an alley way could not fly ,had beak open& not making sound so I got a box put the hurt crow inside but poor crow died.Ever since I now have a deep interest for crows.
Hello! So this happened while it was raining! kinda heavily but not a storm. A crow sat at the top right corner of the safety grill (the bar thingies on a window). I kept a piece of roti at a distance of a meter from the crow. Mt. Crow did not do anything but I guess he kinda knew that I kept it there. The crow halfway through the rain started cawing. Not too loud, not too low. Just at a normal volume. I even checked and there was no other crow anywhere. The crow just kept cawing throughout the rain. As it was about to stop raining, Mr. Crow took the food, ate it where he was sitting throughout the rain and left.
Why did he caw so much?? Is this behavior which is common for crows?? Some people say superstitious things about him. 😦
Also the article was helpful>U<
Thank you!
Hi there! Here’s another article that might help with your vocalization question. The short answers is it’s been really hard to parse crow communication, but there’s one study that seems very relevant! https://corvidresearch.blog/2019/03/14/crow-vocalizations-part-i-new-science/
Nice article! Thanks for sharing this informative post. Keep posting!
Thanks for sharing this useful information! Hope that you will continue with the kind of stuff you are doing.
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I also love crows – they fascinate me to be honest. I give them a bit of wet cat kibble every day and some will wait around on higher areas while the others eat. You can hear them going up to the (One) nest in a tree nearby and feeding the young in the nest – Sometimes they look right into my face when i’m putting out the food, it’s almost a connection, but maybe that is just me 🙂 We are due a storm this evening and I can’t help but keep my eye on the nest, even though I know it will probably be ok and the baby (ies) are probably well over a month old now. A very underestimated bird by many, but I personally think they are clean and clever and beautiful. My husband doesn’t mind them either, he used to, but then he saw the behaviour and changed his opinion of them. Now he doesn’t have the same interest as me but he doesn’t hate them at all, which is good 🙂