But birds flying low by themselves are not a reliable way to predict a storm.
If you’re trying
to determine whether severe weather is approaching, pay attention to much more direct signs, such as rapidly changing skies, strong winds, thunder, lightning, or official weather alerts.
In other words, enjoy watching the birds—but don’t replace your weather app with them!
Why Do Birds Fly Low Before Rain?
You may have heard someone say:
“When birds fly low, rain is on the way.”
It’s an old observation, and there are circumstances in which environmental changes before or during unsettled weather can affect bird behavior.
For example, insects can respond to
changes in atmospheric conditions, wind, and humidity. Birds that feed on insects may then change where they search for food.
That can make it appear as though the birds “know” rain is coming.
But this doesn’t mean every flock flying low is predicting rainfall.
