Birds face the challenge of getting enough water to survive during the hot summer months. Unlike humans, birds cannot simply turn on a faucet for a drink of water whenever they get thirsty. Birds have adapted specialized behaviors and physical features to help them get the water they need during summer.
Do birds need to drink water?
Yes, birds do need to drink water regularly to survive. Like all animals, birds need water for basic body functions like digesting food, transporting nutrients, and regulating body temperature. Birds are especially prone to dehydration because they have high metabolisms and lose a lot of moisture through respiration and evaporation.
During summer, birds require even more water than usual due to the hot temperatures. On a hot day, a bird can lose nearly 10% of its body weight through evaporation. Birds pant to cool down, which also contributes to water loss. Therefore, birds must actively drink water every day to replenish what is lost.
How do birds know where to find water?
Birds use their keen senses and memory to locate sources of fresh water in their environments. Many birds have specialized receptor cells in their eyes that allow them to see water from far distances. Birds also remember locations where they found water in the past and return to these spots regularly.
Some migratory bird species are especially good at retaining memories of water sites across vast distances. Researchers have tracked migrating birds stopping at the same ponds and waterholes year after year along their migration routes.
What are some natural water sources birds use?
Birds tap into a variety of naturally occurring water sources to stay hydrated throughout the summer:
- Lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams
- Puddles from rain showers
- Morning dew collected from leaves and grass
- Nectar from flowers and fruits
- Tree hollows that collect rainwater
Species that live near reliable water bodies like lakes and rivers have an advantage in the summer. Birds in drier areas may have to range farther in search of sparse watering holes and ephemeral puddles left by rain.
How do birds drink from natural water sources?
Birds have specialized physical adaptations that allow them to access water in different scenarios:
- Beaks and tongues – Slender, curved beaks allow birds to sip and suck up water efficiently.
- Capillary action – Some birds dip their beaks in water and let capillary action wick moisture upwards.
- Scooping – Ducks and geese can scoop up mouthfuls of water and tilt their heads back to swallow.
- Perching – Songbirds land on the edge of water and dip their heads down for direct sips.
Birds also have modifications like water-repellent feathers that keep their bodies dry as they access water sources. Their lightweight skeletons and wings enable them to perch conveniently on reeds and branches near water.
Do birds drink saltwater?
While some seabirds are capable of drinking saltwater for short periods, most birds cannot survive on saltwater alone. Consuming too much saltwater will dehydrate birds due to the kidneys expending extra energy to expel the excess salts.
Seabirds have specialized glands near their eyes that filter out salt from the seawater they drink. The excess salt drips out through their nostrils. This allows seabirds to supplement their water intake while foraging at sea.
How do parent birds provide water for their chicks?
Parent birds work tirelessly to provide water for their chicks during summer:
- Bring water soaked into their feathers and furrowed feathers for chicks to suckle on.
- Regurgitate water directly into the mouths of chicks.
- Soak food items in water to provide added moisture.
- Carry dripping wet twigs and leaves to the nest.
Chicks gape and beg when thirsty, signaling the parents to deliver more water. Parent birds make many trips to collect water and bring it back to the nest throughout the day.
How do birds bathe in summer?
Bathing serves the dual purpose of cooling birds down and keeping their feathers in good condition during summer. Birds splash around in shallow water to wet their feathers then preen to spread waterproof oils.
Some birds, like swallows and swifts, even “bathe” on the wing by skimming across water bodies and getting their bellies wet. Soaking their undersides provides cooling relief without sacrificing flight ability.
How do birds survive in deserts?
Desert birds have evolved special adaptations to survive in extremely dry conditions:
- Very efficient kidneys that minimize water loss.
- Ability to take in water rapidly when they find it.
- No uric acid in their waste to conserve water.
- Nasal passages that trap moisture when they exhale.
- Light colors that reflect heat instead of absorbing it.
Desert birds stick close to any oases with palm trees or other vegetation. Some get all their moisture from seeds and insects so they don’t need to drink at all.
What manmade water sources do birds use?
Birds will readily take advantage of manmade water fixtures, especially in areas where natural water is scarce:
- Bird baths and manmade ponds
- Fountains
- Swimming pools
- Water bowls left out for pets
- Irrigation from lawns and fields
- Rain gutters on houses
- Puddles in streets and parking lots
Birds congregate in neighborhoods and parks where people provide reliable, artificial water sources for drinking and bathing.
Making water accessible for backyard birds
You can help backyard birds stay hydrated during summer by providing fresh, clean water. Here are some tips:
- Set up a birdbath with shallow water, rinsed daily.
- Add a mister or dripper to provide moving water.
- Suspend fruit chunks in water for bathing and juice.
- Choose dark colors to prevent algae growth.
- Avoid deep containers to prevent drowning.
- Place birdbaths near trees for convenient perching.
The sight of colorful songbirds splashing in a backyard birdbath on a hot summer day is reward enough for providing water for our feathered friends!
Conclusion
Accessing water is a constant challenge for birds during the hottest months. Specialized physical adaptations like beaks for drinking and glands for filtering salt allow different species to utilize various water sources. Birds in backyard environments also readily take advantage of manmade water fixtures provided by humans. Setting up a birdbath or fountain provides needed hydration for birds and gives people an up-close look at their interesting drinking behaviors.