TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Recent incidents of birds falling to the ground at Tainan’s Shan Shang Garden and Waterwork Museum have caused citizens to worry that high temperatures may be causing birds to experience heat exhaustion.
Experts have explained that the public should not be overly concerned about birds suffering in the summer heat. A staff member of the museum told CNA that one of the latest incidents was a Taiwan barbet found on a walkway on Sunday (June 30).
After consulting with wildlife experts, it was decided to let the bird rest for a while and regain its strength. The bird was eventually able to fly away on its own.
Tseng Yi-shuo (曾翌碩), director-general of the Tainan City Wildlife Conservation Society, said heat exhaustion in birds is generally caused by a large temperature difference between entering and exiting an environment, such as a sudden move from an air-conditioned room to the heat of a summer afternoon. He added that it mostly occurs in pet birds and is rare in wild birds.
Tseng added that the Taiwan barbet found on the ground was determined to have been accidentally struck by a foreign object while flying. Or it may have been weakened by other factors, such as poor nutrition.
Museum staff also discovered a black drongo that fell to the ground in a grassy area. After some observation, they noticed other black drongos nearby, leading them to deduce that the one on the ground was a young bird learning to fly.
After consulting with Tseng, they were advised to allow the bird to remain at the scene without any interference, allowing other birds the chance to assist. Tseng said that when baby birds learn to fly, it is not uncommon for them to fall to the ground, but they are usually accompanied by their parents, who can be spotted in nearby trees.
He urged the public not to interfere with baby birds that have fallen to the ground. He says concerned citizens should leave the area as soon as possible, allowing the bird’s parents to come and provide assistance.
Tseng reminded the public not to pick up baby birds. Instead, one should simply observe the natural processes and allow baby birds to learn on their own.
