How Smoke Affects Birds and How You Can Help

The recent uptick in wildfires burning throughout Ontario and Canada has led to some of the worst air quality we've seen in decades. With air quality warnings for members of the public, it left many of us wondering - how is this affecting wildlife? 

Pileated Woodpecker. Photo by Leanne Leblanc. 

When wildfires break out, birds flee. When we are speaking about the area of the fire itself, depending on the time of year, this could mean that weak or unable birds, such as nestlings, are left behind. Species such as Pileated Woodpeckers and Kinglets that often dwell in old growth forests must seek out new places to nest and forage. 

For other birds, the changes that fire can cause to a landscape can actually benefit them in the long term. Because fires tend to burn unevenly across a landscape they end up creating 'patchwork' type habitat, with open spaces and forests paired closely together. This creates opportunity to forage in surrounding forest while nesting in created, open areas, which can benefit species of Bluebird, Woodpeckers, Flycatchers, and more. 

Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Photo by Heather Kerrison.

In terms of how exposure to smoke and poor air quality, how this may affect their health is poorly understood. The particulate matter in smokey air that is dangerous to human health, can affect birds as well. What we do know is that when there are outside pressures that can make foraging more difficult or energy expensive, we can help by providing high quality food and fresh water. 

We recommend:

• Make sure your bird baths are cleaned and filled with fresh water that birds can use for drinking. If you don't have a bird bath yet you can check out our selection here.
• Offer high quality food options so that birds can limit their need to forage. Try our Nesting Superblend for all of the birds currently nesting, Super Suet and Mealworms, and Bird Berry Jelly for birds like Baltimore Orioles and Catbirds. 
• You can offer millet and water on the ground for Eastern Cottontails, squirrels and more. 

Male Cardinal feeding on mealworms at window feeder. Photo by Leanne Leblanc. 

If you see a bird in distress, do your best to contain the bird and contact a local wildlife rehabilitator. You can find a full list of Wildlife Rehabilitators in Ontario by location HERE. 

We appreciate your concerns and help for all of our feathered friends.