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Water Critical for Wild Birds in Summer

By: Michael Zuiker

July 5, 2018

Arlington, VA – During the hot, dry conditions of summer, wild birds will continuously look for reliable sources of water.

“Water is crucial to birds, sometimes more than food,” said Michael Zuiker, owner of the Arlington, Wild Birds Unlimited. “Water is vitally important when it’s extremely hot, because birds do not sweat and must remove excess body heat through their respiratory system. So, when temperatures rise, birds’ respiration rate increases, sometimes to the point where they can pant like a dog. This activity dehydrates birds,” added Zuiker.

A reliable source of water also allows birds to bathe regularly, a critical part of feather maintenance and staying in top-flight condition. However, offering water does not have to be difficult or expensive.

Attract more birds by offering water in a bird bath. These water sources are normally elevated to protect birds from natural predators. Bird baths with sloped sides permit visitors to move from shallow to deeper water, and they accommodate different sized birds that need to drink or bathe. It can also significantly increase your enjoyment of your birds by allowing you to watch their often comical antics as they drink, bathe, and preen.

However, as entertaining it is for us, water (or the lack thereof) can be deadly for birds. Birds must be ready to fly at all times, and bathing is a critical part of feather maintenance and staying in top-flight condition. So, while the addition of a bird bath, fountain or mister to your yard can supply hours of enjoyable bird watching entertainment for you, it may also be providing a lifesaving necessity.

Some people use misters to provide birds with water. When located near foliage, misters give birds the opportunity to “leaf bathe.” Birds exhibiting this behavior will flutter against wet plants or leaves to release droplets onto their feathers.

Open sources of water, such as bird baths, can cause a potential mosquito problem. For this reason, many people use a Water Wiggler, an agitator that creates ripples in water (mosquitoes cannot/do not lay eggs in moving water). Also, water in motion is far more attractive to birds than a stagnant pond.

“Water is essential to their survival,” said Zuiker, “and many people see that necessity as an opportunity to be entertained by the birds.”

Wild Birds Unlimited, located in Arlington, VA is part of the original and largest franchise system of backyard bird feeding and nature specialty stores with more than 275 locations throughout the United States and Canada.

Wild Birds Unlimited specializes in bringing people and nature together with bird feeding and nature products, expert advice and educational events. Visit our Web site and shop online at arlingtonva.wbu.com. To learn how you can open your own Wild Birds Unlimited, visit www.wbufranchise.com.

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