As the formidable Hurricane Isaias makes its way toward Florida, a remarkable natural occurrence has been documented: birds are trapped within the eye of the storm. This phenomenon was observed by both hurricane hunters and detected through Doppler radar technology.
American meteorologist Matt Devitt shared on Facebook this Friday that the signals identified within the eye are indeed birds, which remain there due to the relative calm compared to the surrounding fierce winds.
“Hurricane hunters and Doppler radar have confirmed the presence of birds caught in the eye of Isaias at this time because the winds in the eyewall are too strong,” Devitt explained.
According to Devitt, the birds stay within the eye, where conditions are comparatively calmer, as crossing the hurricane's eyewall again would mean facing its most violent winds.
Devitt also noted that in the radar image he shared, blue colors represent the birds detected within the eye, while red signifies rain.
The evidence was not limited to radar. In comments on his post, Devitt shared a report from the hurricane hunters, where the crew documented seeing a bird during a mission inside Isaias.
“Here is the hurricane hunters' report. They observed a white egret at 9,400 feet within the eye,” wrote Devitt.
The Vortex Data Message released by the meteorologist states: "White egret approx 9,400 feet passed beneath ACFT heading eastbound inside eye," meaning a white egret was seen at approximately 9,400 feet passing below the aircraft as it traveled east inside the eye.
Devitt warned that not all birds trapped in such conditions survive. Some may perish from exhaustion, lack of food, or even drowning after spending hours over the ocean, though many endure until the cyclone reaches land, depending on the species and conditions.
Cuban aeronautical meteorologist Henry Delgado Manzor, a member of the Cuban Societies of Meteorology and Speleology, also highlighted the unusual sighting this Friday.
“Extraordinary. The hurricane hunters’ crew reported spotting a white egret trapped within the eye of the intense Hurricane Isaias,” Delgado Manzor wrote in a Facebook post.
The Cuban specialist added that the bird, described as having a “wingspan of over 2 meters,” was observed passing beneath the plane during the reconnaissance mission inside the eye.
This phenomenon has been documented in other major hurricanes. In October 2025, birds were observed trapped within the eye of Hurricane Melissa, then a Category 5 storm moving through the Caribbean.
A U.S. Air Force hurricane hunter also confirmed the presence of birds within the eye at that time.
The intriguing sighting comes as Isaias reached Category 3 status on Friday, with maximum sustained winds of 195 km/h, making it a major hurricane as it approaches the U.S. coast. The system rapidly strengthened in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
The National Hurricane Center predicts that Isaias will make landfall overnight on Friday in northwest Florida or very close to the Alabama border. The area braces for destructive winds, storm surges, heavy rainfall, and flooding.
Understanding Hurricane Isaias and Its Impact on Wildlife
What causes birds to get trapped in the eye of a hurricane?
Birds often become trapped in the eye of a hurricane because the eyewall's intense winds create a barrier they cannot easily cross. They remain in the eye, where conditions are calmer, until the storm moves over land or dissipates.
How do hurricane hunters contribute to understanding these phenomena?
Hurricane hunters fly aircraft into storms to gather data on their structure and behavior. Their observations, combined with radar data, help confirm unusual phenomena like birds trapped in the eye, providing valuable insights into the storm's dynamics.
What are the risks for birds trapped in a hurricane?
Birds trapped in a hurricane face risks such as exhaustion, lack of food, and potential drowning if they remain over the ocean too long. Their survival often depends on the species, storm conditions, and how quickly the storm moves over land.