Birds Take To The Water

All birds, like us, must drink and bathe once in a while – if not daily.

In parks, gardens and farming areas, and near human habitation birds share water that is readily available.

However, some birds have learnt that water drips from almost all the window air-conditioners.The first bird I saw using this dripping water was a sparrow.

Sparrows land on water outlet pipes jutting out of ACs and cling to whatever rough surface or holes are available.

Purple sunbirds can easily hover and drink dripping water. But doves and pigeons stay on the ground where water drops down from an AC.

It is a common feature in this country to have humid nights that help form droplets on leaves. Many birds drink the tiny drops that accumulate following a misty night.

Sparrows often fly over glass window panes where moisture forms on the other side because ACs cool the inner side facing a room.

Most birds bathe in roadside fountains, pools or ponds in parks, racing and golf courses.

Some birds love to bathe in water that is being sprayed by the sprinklers in parks and farming areas. If you want to help birds during the summer, keep a bowl of water outside. You will soon see birds using it for drinking or bathing or both.