gurugram the weather may have turned for the better but this summers extended heatwave the longest in 30 years has taken a toll on the wellbeing of winged creatures with the jain charitable bird hospital the citys only such facility recording an increase in cases of heat stroke diarrhoea and chicken poxas many as 40 birds are admitted to the hospital suffering from aforesaid symptoms and every day a handful of new cases are pouring in there are 308 birds in the hospital currently being nursed back to healthand its both native and exotic species that are struggling to cope with soaring temperatures among them rock pigeons blue rock pigeons doves and eagles as well as species of parrot like lovebirds budgerigars and macawswhile some residents have noticed instances of birds dropping from trees out of sheer exhaustion many have found them straining to take flight whether from the ground or terrace on thursday i found a dove struggling to open its wing near a water bowl on my terrace i took the bird to a shady place i tried to give it some water but the bird was not able to open its eyes shared deepak lal a resident of sushant lok3i immediately took the bird to the hospital the doctor told me that the bird is suffering from heat stroke but thankfully they managed to save itthis dove then was lucky to escape death however on many occasions birds are dead by the time they are brought into the hospital because they could not receive relief on time unlike humans birds cant have sweat glands it is therefore difficult for them to escape heat so it is extremely important to give early treatment to birds suffering from heat stroke if not given timely treatment birds suffer from paralysis and sometimes disability for entire life explained dr rajkumar of the jain charitable bird hospitalalas climate change affects avian species as much as it does humans and ornithologists and bird lovers alike have raised concerns over the increase in cases of heatrelated disorders unfortunately winged creatures are the first victims of an increase in temperature as their organs are small and thus they cant retain enough water and nutrients in their body for a long time birds therefore lose energy very quickly informed kavitha a citybased birderfeeding them water and food after short intervals is recommended while this can be done in the case of pets freeranging birds often find it difficult to get water and food thus they are more prone to heat stroke she addeddoctors advise that bird feeders be cleaned regularly to prevent birds getting infected more than the heat they struggle to find cold water and shade to rest people should keep cold water in a shady place on their terrace or ground for the birds told dr rajkumar who also advised that ors or electrolytes be added to the water to ensure that they receive sufficient nutrientsand should a bird