Birds need water for drinking and bathing. Water is
particularly important during the winter when natural supplies may be frozen,
and in dry, hot weather during the summer when water can be hard to find. Hot weather leaves birds vulnerable. With most of water
sources having vanished or dried out, birds die in want of water. The bird lovers
must ensure that these winged creatures do not face any
water crisis. Birds have no sweat glands, so they need less water than mammals. However,
they do lose water through respiration, and in their droppings. Most small
birds need to drink at least twice a day to replace the lost water. Birds get the liquid they need from their food, and by drinking. Many
insectivorous birds get most of their water from food. Seed-eating birds have a
dry diet and they do need to drink more. Water is freely available to small birds at the shallow edges of ponds and
streams.
They may also drink water droplets that form on leaves. Aerial species such as swallows and swifts
swoop down onto a water body and scoop up a beakful of water while
still in flight. Very impressive!
Most birds drink by dipping their bill in water and throwing their head back
to swallow. Pigeons and doves are able to immerse their beaks and can drink
continuously.
Bird lovers should create awareness right from within their homes by teaching our wards and family members about the importance of keeping water bowls under a shade on the balcony or terrace.
Now, as a first step, please take a pledge towards this at: http://http://www.pledgebank.com/water2birds
