A BIRD BATHS AREN’T JUST FOR BATHING - 7/15/20

 A BIRD BATHS AREN’T JUST FOR BATHING

BY: PEGGY WILLIAMS AKA Birdie of Mississippi

 

If you stick your head out the door for even a moment you know one thing – It’s hot out there!  Our A/C is working at full speed to keep us cool on the inside.  During my morning walks I come home dripping with my clothes stuck to my body!  Since I am still reworking my flower beds I see no need to shower and change clothes until the end of my day.  I work 1 to 2 hours on the outside and then break for a couple of hours before going out again.  Even though the thermometer says 93 degrees today the heat index is 109 so it’s easy to get dehydrated!

 

Humans are not the only ones who suffer from this heat, the birds are suffering too.  They need fresh cool water put out for them to get heat relief and water to rehydrate.  Many people put dry seed out for birds, but don’t supply water for the birds that they are feeding.  Birds do not have sweat glands as mammals do, but they do lose water from their body by respiration and by their droppings.  As with people, when they lose water it must be replaced and small birds need to drink water at least two times per day.  Birds get their liquids by what they drink and but also from what they eat.  Insectivorous birds such as Bluebirds, Flycatchers, Kingbirds, Nighthawks, Phoebes and Swallows get their water from flying insects, ants, spiders, grasshoppers, caterpillars, dragonflies, butterflies or any other insect that they can find outside.  Backyard birders can “attract insectivorous birds by not using pesticides on their landscaping” according to the Spruce.com. “As birds visit the yard, they will provide natural insect control as they feed.” 

 

An example of such a bird that many people choose to attract to their yard, but don’t really think about it being an insect eater is a hummingbird.  In fact, I thought hummers were pretty much nectar eaters – either from flower blossoms or from feeders, but they also eat “insects such as ants, fruit flies, gnats, weevils, beetles, mites and mosquitoes!  They also raid spider webs to grab a quick spider meal and any hapless insects trapped there.” And even though hummingbirds love nectar, about “80% of their diet is insects and spiders.” says UCANR.edu.Blogs.Bug Squad.  Wildbirds on Line says: “I frequently put overripe bananas on my fruit feeder to attract tiny fruit flies, which in turn attract the hummers.  The hummingbirds eat every fly and return in a few hours to feast on the next batch of fruit flies that discover the overripe fruit.  What an easy way to observe hummers eating insects!”  I hope that this information makes those who regularly use pesticides for their yard to consider what they may be doing to their beloved hummingbirds and the insects that hummers use to hydrate and feed themselves in this heat.

 

Another way to hydrate birds is to provide bird baths for them to bathe and get a drink from.  These water locations can cool the bird both inside and outside.  Expensive bird baths are not necessary in order to provide for your bird visitors.  I have a variety of unconventional items that I use in my birdie area such as a stainless steel doggie bowl and a shallow glass bowl placed on a saucer. These extra watering spots are not only used by birds, but also butterflies and honey bees. So as you and I “Look at the birds of the air…” (Matthew 6:26) as Jesus directed, think about how some watering holes will help out our birdie friends and put out some extra water today.

My photos may be viewed & “LIKED” on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest - “Birdie of Mississippi”. E-mail: birdieofmississippi@gmail.com - Read my Blog @ http://www.birdieofmississippi.blogspot.com

A BIRD BATHS AREN’T JUST FOR BATHING

BY: PEGGY WILLIAMS AKA Birdie of Mississippi

 

If you stick your head out the door for even a moment you know one thing – It’s hot out there!  Our A/C is working at full speed to keep us cool on the inside.  During my morning walks I come home dripping with my clothes stuck to my body!  Since I am still reworking my flower beds I see no need to shower and change clothes until the end of my day.  I work 1 to 2 hours on the outside and then break for a couple of hours before going out again.  Even though the thermometer says 93 degrees today the heat index is 109 so it’s easy to get dehydrated!

 

Humans are not the only ones who suffer from this heat, the birds are suffering too.  They need fresh cool water put out for them to get heat relief and water to rehydrate.  Many people put dry seed out for birds, but don’t supply water for the birds that they are feeding.  Birds do not have sweat glands as mammals do, but they do lose water from their body by respiration and by their droppings.  As with people, when they lose water it must be replaced and small birds need to drink water at least two times per day.  Birds get their liquids by what they drink and but also from what they eat.  Insectivorous birds such as Bluebirds, Flycatchers, Kingbirds, Nighthawks, Phoebes and Swallows get their water from flying insects, ants, spiders, grasshoppers, caterpillars, dragonflies, butterflies or any other insect that they can find outside.  Backyard birders can “attract insectivorous birds by not using pesticides on their landscaping” according to the Spruce.com. “As birds visit the yard, they will provide natural insect control as they feed.” 

 

An example of such a bird that many people choose to attract to their yard, but don’t really think about it being an insect eater is a hummingbird.  In fact, I thought hummers were pretty much nectar eaters – either from flower blossoms or from feeders, but they also eat “insects such as ants, fruit flies, gnats, weevils, beetles, mites and mosquitoes!  They also raid spider webs to grab a quick spider meal and any hapless insects trapped there.” And even though hummingbirds love nectar, about “80% of their diet is insects and spiders.” says UCANR.edu.Blogs.Bug Squad.  Wildbirds on Line says: “I frequently put overripe bananas on my fruit feeder to attract tiny fruit flies, which in turn attract the hummers.  The hummingbirds eat every fly and return in a few hours to feast on the next batch of fruit flies that discover the overripe fruit.  What an easy way to observe hummers eating insects!”  I hope that this information makes those who regularly use pesticides for their yard to consider what they may be doing to their beloved hummingbirds and the insects that hummers use to hydrate and feed themselves in this heat.

 

Another way to hydrate birds is to provide bird baths for them to bathe and get a drink from.  These water locations can cool the bird both inside and outside.  Expensive bird baths are not necessary in order to provide for your bird visitors.  I have a variety of unconventional items that I use in my birdie area such as a stainless steel doggie bowl and a shallow glass bowl placed on a saucer. These extra watering spots are not only used by birds, but also butterflies and honey bees. So as you and I “Look at the birds of the air…” (Matthew 6:26) as Jesus directed, think about how some watering holes will help out our birdie friends and put out some extra water today.

My photos may be viewed & “LIKED” on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest - “Birdie of Mississippi”. E-mail: birdieofmississippi@gmail.com - Read my Blog @ http://www.birdieofmississippi.blogspot.com