Introduction
It’s hot in Westchester County today, June 24, 2025—temperatures are reaching 100°F! I decided not to go to the park today because of the heat, but if you’re out hiking or birdwatching at Rockefeller State Park Preserve in Pleasantville, NY, you may notice that the birds seem quieter or harder to find. That’s because, just like us, birds adjust their behavior when the weather gets extreme. Since I decided not to go to the park, I wanted to spend some time researching how birds respond to very hot weather, where they go, what they eat, and how they stay cool during the summer heat.
How Birds Behave in Hot Weather
When the temperature rises, birds change their routines to avoid overheating. Many of them become less active during the hottest parts of the day. You might notice that birds are most active early in the morning or later in the evening when it’s cooler. Midday, when the sun is strongest, they often stay hidden.
Some birds also reduce how much they move around. Flying takes a lot of energy and creates body heat, so birds may perch quietly in shaded areas rather than flying from place to place. Vocal activity also drops—fewer songs and calls can make the woods seem quieter than usual.
This is especially noticeable at Rockefeller State Park Preserve around midday in the summer. The fields on the Overlook Trail, the Ash Tree Trail, and the Barnyard Hill Trail, which have birds in the morning, may seem empty in the afternoon. But look closer—in many cases, the birds are still there, tucked away in cooler spots.
Where Do Birds Stay When the Weather Is Hot?
During a heatwave, birds seek out cooler, shady places to rest. Forested areas, thick shrubs, and even the shaded parts of stone walls or fallen logs can provide relief. Birds are smart about finding microhabitats—small areas that stay a few degrees cooler than the rest of the environment.
At Rockefeller, some of the best places to spot birds escaping the sun include the trails around Swan Lake, the edges of the Brothers’ Path where trees overhang the trail, the trails along the Potantico River, and the shaded areas near the Rockwood Hall ruins. You may see birds sitting still with their beaks slightly open—this helps them release excess body heat, similar to how dogs pant.
Birds that live near water often spend time at the edges of lakes or streams, where the air is cooler. On very hot days, you might spot a heron standing motionless in the shade near the lake shore or a group of robins poking around in the moist soil under bushes.
Do Birds Change Their Eating Habits in the Heat?
Yes—when it’s hot, birds often change what and when they eat. Insects tend to be less active in high heat, which can affect insect-eating birds like warblers and flycatchers. These birds may feed earlier in the day or look for insects in cooler, shaded areas. Some may also eat fewer insects and rely more on berries or seeds if those are available, and based on my hike late last week, it looks like berries will be available soon!
Seed-eating birds like cardinals or finches may feed early in the morning and then wait until later in the afternoon before eating again. This helps them avoid foraging during the hottest part of the day. Insects and seeds can also dry out or become harder to find when the ground is baked dry, so birds may need to work harder or change locations to find food.
At Rockefeller, birds like Eastern Bluebirds, Chipping Sparrows, and Gray Catbirds are often easier to spot early in the day in open areas but retreat to the shade or forest edges when it gets hot.
How Do Birds Stay Cool?
Birds don’t sweat like humans do, but they have developed other ways to stay cool:
- Panting or gular fluttering: Birds can cool off by quickly vibrating the muscles in their throat, which helps release heat. You might see this in robins or jays sitting quietly with open beaks.
- Spreading feathers: Some birds lift their feathers slightly to allow air to circulate across their skin.
- Bathing: Birds often bathe more frequently in hot weather. A quick dip in water helps lower their body temperature. I’ve seen sparrows and robins hopping into shallow water along the Potantico River. I’m sure they must also use the small streams found around the park.
- Staying still: Sitting motionless in deep shade is one of the simplest and most effective strategies.
Birds are surprisingly resilient to extreme temperatures. Even during a heatwave, they find ways to manage—but they do appreciate water sources and shaded spots.
Summary
Birds at Rockefeller State Park Preserve handle the summer heat smartly and naturally. They change their routines, seek shade, adjust their diets, and use unique body cooling techniques. As birdwatchers and nature photographers, we can learn much by paying attention to how birds respond to the weather.
If you’re heading out to Rockefeller State Park Preserve on a hot day, remember:
- Try visiting early in the morning or closer to sunset for the best bird activity and a more comfortable hike.
- You can stick to shady trails and be ready to spot birds hiding in cool, quiet spots.
- Rockefeller State Park Preserve does not have potable water, so bring your own. On a really hot day, you might want to freeze some water bottles and bring them along, and they’ll melt as you hike. If you’re using a pack and water bladder, add some ice to the water to keep it cool while you hike.
- Even in extreme heat, the preserve offers a great chance to observe how birds adapt to their environment.
