Greece's Urban Birds Face Heatwave Threat, Experts Advise Citizen Action

A heatwave is putting urban bird populations in Greece at risk, with the level of thermal stress depending on air temperature, solar radiation, humidity, wind, duration of the heat, body size and access to shade and water. Dr Pericles K. Birtsas, professor of Wildlife Biology and director of the Wildlife Management Laboratory at the University of Thessaly, explains that species with ecological flexibility and tolerance of human presence are most common in cities, but several groups are especially vulnerable.

The most at‑risk birds include nestlings confined to cavities or building nests, newly fledged juveniles with limited experience finding cool refuges, small passerines that overheat quickly, breeding adults caring for active nests, and sick or exhausted individuals. These birds face dehydration, overheating and higher mortality.

To protect them, citizens are urged to provide clean, shallow water in shaded spots, create or preserve shade with vegetation or other structures, manage nests without disturbance, offer supplemental food as a secondary measure, and reduce additional threats such as free‑roaming cats. If a bird shows signs of heat exhaustion, observers should keep distance, supply water and shade, remove humans and pets, and contact a licensed wildlife care centre. Safe handling requires protective gloves and transport in a ventilated container.