Parrots Screech Before Storms Arrive
Parrots squawk frantically and flap their wings before storms or tremors. Puerto Rican residents described their pet parrots becoming extremely agitated before Hurricane Maria made landfall in 2017. Their sharp hearing easily detects infrasound or subtle wind shifts that precede severe weather. Many bird owners credit their parrots with providing their first warning about approaching storms. Some emergency management agencies now include pet bird behavior in their disaster awareness materials.