25/01/2026
This is something many of us dont think about.
A few people had questions about candles in light of the impending storm.
Here’s what you need to know:
It isn’t “fire” that’s the problem. It’s what burning candles release into the air.
Birds have an incredibly efficient respiratory system. They don’t just have lungs, they have air sacs that move oxygen through their bodies in a one-way flow. It’s why they can fly at altitude, and it’s also why airborne toxins hit them fast and hard. What a human barely notices can overwhelm a bird’s system in minutes.
When a candle burns, several things can happen:
• Paraffin wax (most commercial candles) is petroleum-based. When it burns, it releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like toluene and benzene.
• Fragrance oils are the biggest culprit. “Scented” candles release synthetic fragrance chemicals that are respiratory irritants even for people. For birds, they can be lethal.
• Soot and particulates from wicks and incomplete combustion irritate airways and can coat delicate lung tissue.
• Some wicks (especially cheap imports) still contain trace metals that become airborne when burned.
Birds don’t have the buffer we do. They can’t cough effectively. They can’t clear toxins the same way. So what feels like “cozy ambiance” to us can cause:
• Acute respiratory distress
• Neurological symptoms
• Lethargy, tail bobbing, open-mouth breathing
• Sudden collapse and death
Even “natural” candles can be dangerous if they’re scented or produce smoke. The only candles considered relatively safe are:
• 100% beeswax or soy
• Unscented
• Cotton or wood wicks
• Burned in a well-ventilated room far from birds
And even then, most avian vets will still say: don’t risk it.
Birds evolved to detect air quality because in the wild, bad air means fire, rot, or danger. In your house, that instinct just turns into respiratory failure.
So the issue isn’t superstition. It’s chemistry meeting a fragile, hyper-efficient respiratory system.
