Whether it drips, puddles, flows or splashes, the sound and sight of water is irresistible to birds. They depend on water for hydration and temperature control and even flight. Clean feathers are essential for efficient flying. Birds seek water on a daily basis and will only live within flying distance of a water source.
Birds fall into two categories of drinkers. The most commonly seen drinking method among land birds is gulping. They immerse their beak in water, tilt their heads back and let the water trickle into their throats. Pigeons and doves drink water using their beaks like sipping straws. Some shorebirds wet their food before they eat it, providing another source of water. Other species wet their food but we’re not sure why. Ever see a grackle break up a peanut over the bird bath and then eat it? Perhaps it is to make swallowing easier or to clean the food.
Birds use water to cool themselves on hot summer days but waterbathing helps with waterproofing. After birds clean their feathers, they oil, preen and run their feathers through their beaks to realign them to give the feathers structural integrity needed for successful flight. Most backyard birds wade into water 1 to 3 inches deep and splash violently. Because of their weak legs and narrow pointed wings, swifts and swallows dive into water during flight just deep enough to create a spray that is scooped over their backs. Kingfishers and flycatchers actually dive into water and then vibrate their wet feathers to dry off.
Baths are best placed near a shaded area with cover nearby. This allows birds a protected “drying off” space to clean and preen in peace.
Are birds only drinking but not bathing in your bird bath? Sometimes the birds cannot tell how deep the bath is due to a dark bowl. Try placing a little contrasting colored rock or pebbles in the bath so the bird can better see the bottom.
Try placing a "Water Wiggler" in the bath. This silent spinner moves water which birds will notice. The Water Wigglert also prevents mosquito eggs from hatching. A dripper can also add motion and sound.
Check the water features at The Bird House.
The following report comes courtesy of Dave DeReamus, Lehigh Valley Audubon Society:
Sightings from JACOBSBURG STATE PARK, Northampton County, included Ring-billed Gulls - 2 on May 6 ("fly-by"). Also, Yellow-throated Vireo.
Sightings from MAUCH CHUNK LAKE, Carbon County, included Black-billed Cuckoo and Cape May Warbler.
Sightings from the CEMENTON area, Lehigh County, included Cape May Warbler.
Sightings from the HAAFSVILLE area, Lehigh County, included Blue Grosbeaks - 2 on May 9.
Sightings from PEACE VALLEY PARK, Bucks County, included Ruddy Duck - 1 back on April 30; Common Loons - 27 back on May 2; Snowy Egret - 1 back on May 4; Black-Crowned NIght-Herons - 2 back on April 30; Black Tern - 1 on May 8; Common Terns - 2 on May 8; Prothonotary Warbler - 1 on May 5 (at the Chapman Road bridge). Also, Lesser Yellowlegs, Least Sandpiper, Common Nighthawk and Hermit Thrush.
Sightings from STATE GAME LANDS 157, Bucks County, included Olive-Sided Flycatcher - 1 on May 8; Yellow-Bellied Flycatcher - 1 on May 8; Mourning Warbler - 1 on May 8; Kentucky Warblers - 2 on May 8. Also, Merlin and Hooded Warbler.
Birds seen at several sites this past week included Double-crested Cormorant, Bald Eagle, Spotted and Solitary Sandpiper, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Red-eyed, White-eyed, Blue-headed, and Warbling Vireo, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Veery, Swainson's and Wood Thrush, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Baltimore Oriole, and warblers that included Pine, Prairie, Nashville, Yellow, Yellow-rumped, Blue-winged, Wilson's, Worm-eating, Chestnut-sided, Canada, Magnolia, Blackpoll, Blackburnian, Black-and-white, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Ovenbird, Northern Parula, American Redstart, Common Yellowthroat, and Northern and Louisiana Waterthrush.
NOW FOR THE BIRDS!
The first sighting of a Ruby-throated hummingbird reported at The Bird House was from Danielsville, Pa this past Wednesday.
the following is courtesy of Dave DeReamus, L.V. Audubon Society:
Sightings from JACOBSBURG STATE PARK, Northampton County included:
Hooded Warbler.
Sightings from LOWER NAZARETH TOWNSHIP, Northampton County included:
At the Gremar Road retention ponds: AMERICAN BITTERN - 1 on 4/29. Also Gadwall.
Sightings from WILLIAMS TOWNSHIP, Northampton County included: Canada Warbler and Indigo Bunting.
Sightings from the BETHLEHEM BOAT CLUB area, Northampton County included:
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER - 1 on 4/29
YELLOW-THROATED WARBLERS - 2 to at least 4/29.
Sightings from the SMITH GAP area, Northampton County included:
Hooded, Worm-eating, and Blackburnian Warbler.
Sightings from GRAVER'S HILL, Northampton County included:
American Pipit - 1 on 5/3.
Sightings from the PENN FOREST RESERVOIR area, Carbon County included:
Whip-poor-will - 1 on 4/29 (along Hell Hollow Road).
Sightings from LEASER LAKE, Lehigh County included: Kentucky Warbler - 1 on 5/2.
Also Grasshopper Sparrow, Indigo Bunting, Bobolink, and warblers that included Hooded, Nashville, Worm-eating, Cerulean, and Blackburnian.
Sightings from NORTH WHITEHALL TOWNSHIP, Lehigh County included: American Pipits - 3 on 4/29 (along Cardinal Street near Schnecksville). Also Ring-necked Duck, and Vesper and Grasshopper Sparrow.
Sightings from the ALLENTOWN area, Lehigh County included: Common Nighthawk.
Sightings from the MACUNGIE area, Lehigh County included: Cape May, Nashville, and Tennessee Warbler.
Sightings from WALKING PURCHASE PARK, Lehigh County included: Rusty Blackbird - 1 on 4/28.
Sightings from PEACE VALLEY PARK, Bucks County included: Kentucky Warbler - 1 on 4/28.
Also Merlin.
Birds seen at several sites this past week included Green Heron, Bald Eagle, Spotted and Solitary Sandpiper, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Red-eyed, Blue-headed, Yellow-throated, and Warbling Vireo, Bank and Cliff Swallow, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Veery, Wood Thrush, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Baltimore and Orchard Oriole, and warblers that included Pine, Palm, Prairie, Yellow, Yellow-rumped, Blue-winged, Black-and-white, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Magnolia, Chestnut-sided, Ovenbird, American Redstart, Northern Parula, Common Yellowthroat, and Northern and Louisiana Waterthrush.
