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What do birds do when it rains? – Pink-necked Green Pigeons

on 1st November 2016

“I have always been impressed with how birds weather our strong tropical storms. I have seen some smarter ones, like the Oriental Magpie Robins, take shelter under our patio. But most just stick it out under the shade of a tree with thick foliage.

Male Pink-necked Green Pigeon tail
Male Pink-necked Green Pigeon tail

“Yesterday, due to the keen eyes of my wife, I had an opportunity to watch the Pink-necked Green Pigeons (Treron vernans griseicapilla) handle a fairly rough tropical storm.

Male Pink-necked Green Pigeon tail
Male Pink-necked Green Pigeon tail

“At our home, these pigeons like to sit at the top of the Neem Tree (Azadirachta indica) and give their unique calls as well as feed on its fruit. We were surprised that during the height of the storm these birds were still perched on the high, flimsy branches of this tree. These are not the best branches; there are many more sturdy ones that would not wildly sway in the strong winds (see video below), as well as give more shelter lower down.

“In addition the male seemed to be having some difficulties. The female was unshaken and stayed perched facing the storm direction (wind direction) even when her branch was tossed wildly. The male however was struggling and tried a number of positions. Finally he faced the storm and interestingly kept the tail fully open; we suspect for aerodynamic stability. It was this odd tail posture that caught my wife’s eye. The female however did not open her tail throughout. Once the storm was over they appeared untouched and after some preening flew off.

Female Pink-necked Green Pigeon tail
Female Pink-necked Green Pigeon tail

“There are many queries on the topic of ‘What do birds do when it rains?’ on the web; see some of the references. Of course most birds take shelter but there are suggestions and observations that pigeons tend not to take cover in order to bathe. I am not sure how true this is but one report offers some evidence (see last reference, a publication). The storm we experienced yesterday was not the kind we would considered appropriate to bathe in.”

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Date: 22nd October 2016

Location: Ipoh City, Perak, Malaysia
Habitat: Urban Environment, tropical storm

References:
What do birds do when it rains? LINK

Josiah Clark. Ask the Naturalist: Where Do Birds Go When it Rains? LINK.

L. Michael Romero. How do birds survive storms and other harsh weather? LINK

Birds: Pigeons: Why do pigeons not take cover in rain? LINK.

Rain-bathing by pigeons LINK.

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

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