Birds need water too
@JamesHxstatic (29303)
Eugene, Oregon
December 10, 2017 12:20pm CST
Sitting at the breakfast table earlier, Anne called my attention to a Varied Thrush (large Robin-sized bird with a long beak) banging unsuccessfully on the ice in the backyard bird bath.
With temps in the low 20s here every morning, the ice gets pretty hard. I took a hammer out (sometimes works), but the ice was too thick for that, so I had to pour enough warm water on the ice to make it possible for birds to get a drink.
I have plenty of birds at my seed and suet feeders, and am feeding hummingbirds sugar water (4 to 1 ratio) at two feeders.
The little Anna's hummer stays in Oregon all winter.
If there are birds around, they are hungry and need water in the winter as well as the summer. Besides, they are lots of fun to watch.
12 people like this
13 responses
@redurnet (1799)
• United Kingdom
10 Dec 17
I had to do the same thing this morning. All of the bird baths were frozen completely solid. I had to pour hot water on and then smash the ice. The birds came down almost immediately after I'd filled with fresh water. By this evening the water was frozen again. I often wonder how creatures like birds can survive out there.
3 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29303)
• Eugene, Oregon
10 Dec 17
Yes, in cold temps like that, it is a wonder. The hummingbirds that stay around in winter go into a state of torpor when very cold, lowering metabolism, then are able to wake up and look for food.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29303)
• Eugene, Oregon
11 Dec 17
@redurnet Many people feed them like I do. They also eat some insects, any flowers that are still blooming.
1 person likes this
@redurnet (1799)
• United Kingdom
10 Dec 17
@JamesHxstatic That's interesting. I can't imagine seeing hummingbirds in a cold environment. I always think of them in the sun. What do they normally eat during the winter?
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29303)
• Eugene, Oregon
10 Dec 17
Both are good things to do for sure.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (111289)
• El Paso, Texas
10 Dec 17
I agree @JamesHxstatic
Around here it's so hot and dry especially in the warm months that people are encouraged to leave water out for birds. Since I have a dog I always leave water out just in case she's actually outside.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29303)
• Eugene, Oregon
11 Dec 17
@rebelann I can imagine how hot El Paso is.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72279)
• Philippines
11 Dec 17
I'd love to see a real humming bird. We don't have them here in our country. But I do have a hummingbird tattooed on my right shoulder blade.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72279)
• Philippines
11 Dec 17
@JamesHxstatic Yeah and I love watching them and they can fly backwards too. I love their colours as well.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29303)
• Eugene, Oregon
11 Dec 17
Yes, they only exist in in the New World,all 340 species of them. The flap their wings 80 times per second. (WOW).
1 person likes this
@sallypup (58185)
• Centralia, Washington
10 Dec 17
@JamesHxstatic When we lived in Bellingham, (northwestern WA) hummers would buzz me as I gardened. I loved it.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29303)
• Eugene, Oregon
11 Dec 17
@sallypup If you move to Oregon, you will see them year round!
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21746)
• Canada
10 Dec 17
We've hung out feeders...but they'll be getting their water from the ditches, creeks, rivers...the canal and the lake.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29303)
• Eugene, Oregon
10 Dec 17
There is a lake a block or so away, but I like to have it in the yard as well.
@JamesHxstatic (29303)
• Eugene, Oregon
11 Dec 17
@Morleyhunt Oh yes, that is right.
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21746)
• Canada
10 Dec 17
@JamesHxstatic when it gets cold..I'd never be able to keep the ice out of the bird bath.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
10 Dec 17
I do keep water out for the birds.
2 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29303)
• Eugene, Oregon
11 Dec 17
The sides are a bit steep. I put a rock or brick in to give them a place to stand. The brick with holes in it creates little "wells" that they can drink out of.
@LadyDuck (459579)
• Switzerland
11 Dec 17
@JamesHxstatic Poor little things, I do my best, they can find nothing when it snows.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29303)
• Eugene, Oregon
11 Dec 17
I am not surprised that you are kind to the birds, Anna.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43419)
• Denver, Colorado
11 Dec 17
I wonder how they find water in such circumstances.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29303)
• Eugene, Oregon
12 Dec 17
Good question... maybe due of leaves and grass or nearby water sources.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29303)
• Eugene, Oregon
31 Dec 17
Only some birds migrate, leaving many to eat and drink what they can find. There are many species visiting the garden daily.
@Hannihar (129590)
• Israel
31 Dec 17
@JamesHxstatic
James that is nice that you have many visitors.
