A University of Saskatchewan researcher is investigating the impact of wildfires and smoke on birds, with a focus on songbirds. Catherine Ivy, an assistant professor at the university’s college of arts and science and a bird enthusiast, is leading the study.
The 2023 wildfire season in Canada set a record for the largest area burned, followed by the second-worst season in 2024 since 1995. While there is anecdotal evidence suggesting birds are affected by wildfire smoke, comprehensive research on this topic is lacking.
According to Ivy, individual wildfires may not harm birds significantly, but repeated exposure could have adverse effects. Existing studies have mainly focused on the effects of wildfire smoke on humans and lab animals, overlooking its impact on wildlife.
Understanding the consequences of wildfire smoke on birds is crucial for identifying reasons behind declining bird populations. Changes in migratory routes due to various factors, including human infrastructure, have already affected birds. However, the potential impact of wildfire smoke on their respiratory health and migration patterns remains unclear.
Ivy’s research aims to monitor migratory birds that cover long distances and analyze the differences between birds exposed to wildfire smoke and those that are not. While health guidelines advise humans to avoid smoke exposure, wild animals are constantly exposed to outdoor environments, highlighting a gap in knowledge that this study seeks to address.
Funding for the project was secured through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) discovery grant program.
