Air Quality Index (AQI) for birds outside

[ScottinBan]

We keep 5 budgies in a large cage outside. The weather is fine for them because we are located in the tropics. However we do have a couple months of bad air quality. We use air quality index (AQI) to plan for our own human health. But does anyone have guidelines based on AQI for bird care outside? Specifically, at what AQI levels should we bring the birds inside?

 

[Destiny]

I would recommend considering birds as equivalent to people who have health conditions that make them sensitive to air pollution. This is because birds have very efficient lungs that allow them to breath very well while flying, but also exposes them to significantly more air. They tend to get hit extra hard by air pollution, including the fine particulates in smoke or smog.

If the air quality is unhealthy for people in sensitive groups, it is unhealthy for outdoor birds. Take appropriate protective measures and definitely bring them indoors if public health authorities are recommending at-risk people minimize outdoor activity in your area.