birds and barometric pressure

[Dot]

My head hurts and my RFM is screeching - there is a front coming through. People who have migraines, or just bad headaches, get them before the front comes through. Fish bite. And God help the two ladies who will be teaching grade school. You will always know when the fish are biting because the little ones go wild.

All of that said, I have noticed that the RFM screeches more when there is a drastic change of barometric pressure. RFMs screech when they are happy, mad, feel left out, and I am sure for reasons we humans don't understand, but recently I have noticed that she does this more before the front comes through.

We all know that barometric pressure affects animals. Have you seen any specific behavior related to barometric pressure?

[Larry, Baby and Me]

I read an interesting article a while back about migrating birds and weather patterns. It said birds know when to fly south by detecting the oncoming weather fronts and their air currents. It also went on to say that Geese have been spotted at 30,000 feet - the height thay you fly in an airplane. Here is the reader's digest version...

Migrating birds usually leave home when a storm is brewing Then they can hitch a ride on the wind as it blows in their direction. A tailwind can push a flapping bird 20 miles per hour faster than it would fly on its own. Most migrating birds, especially those with far to go, rise high into the sky to catch the strong, steady tailwinds up there. A little songbird might migrate at an altitude of 3,000 feet or higher, far too high for you to see it from the ground. Many birds of different species use the same windy pathways in the skies. They show up on radar screens as enormous blobs, nicknamed "angels."

Migrating hawks and eagles use air currents to help them, too, but in a different way. These birds soar and glide their way to their seasonal homes. They hitch rides on enormous currents of warm air that rise from the ground and lift them 1,000 feet into the sky. When a current breaks up, the birds glide downward, gently and slowly, toward their destination. Soon, they meet another rising current of warm air, and the soaring and gliding begin again.

Gliding birds must migrate by day because the upward drafts of air they rely on form when the sun warms the earth. Most flapping birds migrate at night, however, when fewer crosswinds interfere with their flight plan. The night air is cooler and more moist, which helps the birds conserve energy.

Many birds migrate in flocks. And that familiar V-shape they often form has a purpose: small wind currents rise from the tip of each bird's wing, allowing the bird behind to coast a little more easily.

[iti hoa's mom]

Barametric pressure changes do affect people and proven so. I don't see why it would be any different with birds....or the birds are looking for any excuse possible.

Anon....yep heading to the playground

[Birdlover]

Larry that was a great read, thank you!

My birds all seem to want to shower when there is a front coming through... of course momma doesnt want them wet when it is cold so I say no. :rolleyes:

[birdie]

My birds seem to be more rambunctious[sp?] & bitey. I have noticed mine have to spend more time in their cages so momma doesn't get bitten. They are also more flighty before a storm.

[bonnie]

My birds seem to be more rambunctious[sp?] & bitey. I have noticed mine have to spend more time in their cages so momma doesn't get bitten. They are also more flighty before a storm.

THat's my house right here!!!