Can Birds Fly In The Rain? (All You Need To Know)

While the saying “a little rain can’t hurt anyone” may be true for humans, it doesn’t apply to birds because rain, especially downpours, poses some significant risks for birds. Can birds fly in the rain? How dangerous is this for them?

We take a look at the dangers of flying with wet wings, and where birds go when the skies open.

While most birds can handle light showers with minimal damage or inconvenience, heavy rain can pose some serious dangers for many birds. Many people avoid flying altogether during storms or downpours, seeking shelter in trees or bushes until the rain subsides.

During prolonged periods of wet weather, birds are at risk of hypothermia. In cold weather, birds keep warm by trapping small amounts of air under their feathers. However, if exposed to heavy rain, these pockets quickly fill with water instead of air, reducing the bird’s body temperature to dangerous levels.

Prolonged rainfall also poses a risk of starvation, especially for smaller birds. Birds need to forage regularly, and often fly for periods of time. If flight is not possible due to heavy rain, starvation can be a very real consequence, especially if there is a brood of chicks that needs to be fed.

So how do birds cope with this danger, especially in places where stormy weather is not uncommon? Read on as we delve into the topic of how birds fly in wet weather.

Ruby Topaz Hummingbird (Chrysolampis mosquitus) circling in the rain

How do birds fly in the rain?

Light rain had negligible effects on the birds’ ability and willingness to fly. However, birds generally avoid flying in downpours and storms, as extreme wet weather can cause some serious problems for birds, including hypothermia and potential starvation.

Heavy rain, strong winds and turbulent air can make flying and sailing during a storm difficult. Flying in such conditions is not impossible because the birds’ feathers are coated with an oily, water-repellent substance, and they have developed efficient techniques for flying in such conditions.

During heavy rain, the bird’s wings force the air downward, and then, on an upward stroke, the bird can turn their feathers to let the air pass through them. On the downstroke, they fold their feathers against the air.

Birds’ eyes are equipped with a translucent nictitating membrane (actually a third eyelid) that allows them to see clearly when it rains.

A very wet little owl flying through the rain

Can a bird fly with wet wings?

Birds preen their feathers by using oil from urinary glands near their tails. They use this waxy coating to cover the twigs in their feathers, which means their feathers are waterproof even in the wettest weather.

In heavy rain, the weight of the water can make it difficult for them to flap their wings and fly efficiently. Where possible, many birders may choose to avoid flying until the weather improves and the risk of becoming saturated has passed.

American Goldfinch preening feathers

What do birds do when it rains?

Where possible, the birds will seek shelter in bushes under the cover of dense foliage until the rain stops. Rain poses a greater risk to smaller birds because their low body weight means they may lose heat faster than larger birds. Some hardy birds, such as the turkey vulture, may even be spotted “bathing” with their wings spread.

During showers, birds will often remain as still as possible to conserve energy levels, as it is uncertain how long the wet weather will last. They usually adopt a “raining stance,” which is the exact opposite of ruffing up their feathers for warmth in cold weather.

During showers, birds preen their feathers and turn their heads and beaks toward the rain, thereby minimizing the body surface area exposed to the water.

birds take shelter from the rain

Do all birds fly in the rain?

While birds are generally immune to light rain, prolonged periods of heavy rain are a different story. Where possible, birds will remain stationary and take shelter in bushes, trees, under eaves and tree hollows until the weather improves. However, when it rains for more than a day in a row, the need to find food becomes more urgent.

In wet weather lasting more than a few hours, braving the rain to avoid going hungry, especially when a bird has chicks to feed, becomes a priority.

Birds have oily, water-repellent feathers that allow them to fly in the rain, but the drop in air pressure in this case means more effort and more energy, so many birds choose to sit and wait for it to dry out.

Are birds more active after rain?

If the bird has been hiding for some time, the need to feed and forage will be more acute, especially if there are chicks to feed.

Rain brings worms to the surface of garden lawns, and once the showers have passed, it is likely to see large numbers of birds quickly resume foraging to benefit from the wet weather. The reappearance of the insects after the rains have stopped will drive many birds out of their makeshift shelters.

Birds are also often heard singing after storms have passed, similar to the daily dawn chorus, though it’s unclear what exactly – if anything – this new burst of sound might represent.

After a downpour, it’s a great time for birds to feed!

When can birds fly in the rain?

Once a baby bird reaches fledgling stage and has mastered the art of flight, it is theoretically ready to fly in the rain. However, as with adults, juveniles may find it safer to take cover until the heavy rains stop, as they can quickly become submerged in wet weather.

Can the chicks withstand the wind and rain?

Even in heavy rain, chicks still need to eat, and those that remain in the care of their parents will quickly learn the art of storm survival. Young birds’ plumage can become saturated quickly, even when they are hiding in bushes or trees.

When birds reach the fledgling stage, their feathers develop a degree of water repellency, giving them a chance to ride out storms safely, especially if they can take shelter in bushes until the heavy rains abate.

Northern Cardinals still feeding in the rain

Can pigeons fly in the rain?

Pigeons can tolerate light rain but may choose not to take to the sky until the extremely wet weather has passed. Stormy weather can greatly affect a pigeon’s ability to navigate accurately.

Woodpeckers don’t seem to mind the rain and have been observed sitting uncovered in open grass, raising their wings one at a time as if taking a shower.

Can hummingbirds fly in the rain?

Hummingbirds are excellent at flying in all weather conditions, and rain doesn’t seem to affect their ability to fly. Light and moderate rain didn’t seem to pose any challenge to the hummingbirds, although they were observed to increase the number of times they beat their wings per second in heavy rain to avoid getting drenched.