Moscow's bird populations are suffering from the severe heat wave, which settled in the city in mid-June, a representative of the Russian Bird Conservation Union (RBCU) said on Tuesday.

"Birds...find it very difficult to live in such heat. Members of the crow family are the worst affected as their black feathers heat up very fast from the sun," she said.

Meteorologist say temperatures will reach 36 degrees Celsius (97 degrees Fahrenheit) this week.

The conservationist said it was difficult to help the suffering bird populations.

"We don't have many options available for helping the birds... The only thing we can do is put bird baths on our balconies and render first aid to heat-affected birds," she said.

According to an animal census held in Moscow from February 13 - March 5, 2010, more than 200 bird species live in Moscow. Of these, 66 are listed in the Moscow Red Data Book of endangered species.

MOSCOW, July 13 (RIA Novosti)