Wet Birds Trials and Tribulation

Bird Watching During Rain Storms

Birds go to bed hungry when not able to fly, finding food during heavy rain season is a cumbersome time moving freely in flight, perched up on trees or finding somewhere to rest the wary bird still has to forage for sustenance.

_{Yellow-billed kite sitting upright for best run-off, facing the rain head on, drenched!}

Some feed on flying insects like our nightjars, flycatchers, swallows, irioles, most will make a catch find a tree and then enjoy the meal like my kingfisher, hoopoes, woodpeckers, shrikes and more.

_{Shrike directly after heavy storm appears to see what insects are about, normally flying ants.}

Come rain or shine, unable to change feathers to suit different weather the birds go out to find what is available.... Unless of course you are a duck, goose, pelican or similar primed for water presenting no problem whatsoever!

_{Spur-winged goose}

Many birds hold air pockets within the feathers, birds will wash in rivers, ponds or bird baths then meticulously dry them in the sun and preen ready for flight, but not what about those thunder storms that lash the skies?

_{Female African Stonechat}

Light rains birds may fluff out and shake the excess water off, heavy rains seek shelter under bushes or in trees an attempt to avoid total deluge which affects the smaller birds quicker at risk of hypothermia.

_{Bokmakierie is a Bushshrike, hid in the plants behind in photograph during storm}

Feathers are fairly waterproof but caution is shown to keep water off using feather to keep dry and warm.

_{Lourie between leaves of tree in rains earlier week}

Next time it rain storms appear watch the smaller birds seek refuge to avoid trails and tribulation against predators when water logged unable to fly with ease. Check for nests where young chicks may have fallen out with little to no protection if parents where caught away from nest.

_{Violet-backed Starling after rains earlier this week}

For all the beautiful birds in nature, not all are designed for the extreme wet conditions, take time to watch out for them! Yours in bird watching, some photographs may have been used previously most are fresh from recent rains.

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All photography is my own. Any queries or requests please drop a comment below or make contact with me, have a wonderful day! Photography without tripod, go with the flow wherever life takes you. NB: Amateur photographer and bird watcher, keep smiling!

Thought for Today: "Though the sky belongs to the bird it can't fly when it's raining." - African Proverb

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by Hive account@barbara-orenya