My grandpa was right about putting out water for birds in winter

Last December my grandpa told me to keep my bird bath filled even when it's freezing out. I thought it was pointless since everything was frozen solid anyway. He showed me how to add a simple floating solar heater that kept a small hole open. That one spot brought in like 30 birds a day while all the other frozen bird baths in the neighborhood were empty. Anyone else had luck with winter water setups?

3 comments

3 Comments

ivanross4h agoTop Commenter

Oh man, you just reminded me of something wild. That little hole in the ice actually keeps them from getting their feet wet and freezing too, because they land on the edge.

uma_taylor473h ago

My grandpa had one of those old metal heaters too and the birds would literally line up on the edge waiting their turn, like they knew the drill. That little open hole really is a lifesaver for them when the whole yard is solid ice.

the_joseph4h ago

Gotta jump in here @ivanross because that's actually not quite right. The little hole doesn't stop their feet from getting wet since they still have to stand on the edge or step into the water to drink. But the really important thing is that it gives them access to liquid water when everything else is frozen solid. Birds need to drink and bathe even in cold weather, it keeps their feathers clean and helps them stay warm. Trust me, I've watched them enough to see they just dip their beak in and back out without getting soaked. That floating heater your grandpa used is the real trick, keeps a small open spot without wasting energy.