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Whether they are feeder visitors or not, all birds need water. Offering a dependable source of water is probably the simplest and most important step you can take to greatly increase the variety of birds in your yard. Birds use water for more than just a thirst quencher; they also use it for cleaning their feathers for optimum health and flying ability.

Stop by the store to learn how you can make a difference by adding a splash to your backyard.

20% OFF Water Products*

*For DSC members only. Valid only at participating store listed. One discount per purchase. Offer not valid on previous purchases or sale items. Offer valid in-store only. Offer valid 06/25/26 thru 06/30/26

 

DID YOU KNOW...

Providing water in your backyard is one of the easiest and most impactful ways to support local wildlife. While many people remember to put out birdseed, water is often the missing piece of the puzzle that turns a backyard into a true wildlife sanctuary.

Here are 10 key reasons why giving backyard birds access to water is so important:

1. Essential Hydration
Just like us, birds need to drink every day to stay alive. While they get some moisture from foods like insects and berries, a reliable source of clean water helps them maintain their fluid balance, especially during dry spells or extreme weather.

2. Feather Maintenance and Cleanliness
A bird’s feathers are its lifelines, providing insulation and the ability to fly. Dust, dirt, and parasites can degrade feather quality. Regular bathing allows birds to wash away debris, keeping their plumage in peak aerodynamic and insulating condition.

3. Facilitates Preening
Bathing is the prerequisite to preening—the process where a bird uses its beak to groom its feathers and spread waterproofing oils from a specialized gland at the base of its tail. Water helps soften the feathers, making this crucial daily maintenance much easier.

4. Vital Thermal Regulation
Birds don't sweat to cool down. During hot summer days, they rely on respiration (panting) and bathing to lower their core body temperature. Conversely, in the winter, clean feathers keep them properly insulated against sub-freezing temperatures.

5. Attracts a Greater Variety of Species
Not all birds eat seeds or visit traditional feeders. Insect-eaters, fruit-eaters, and migratory birds like warblers, thrushes, and tanagers might pass right by your food setup—but almost every species is drawn to the sound and sight of water.

6. Crucial Support During Winter Freezes
When natural ponds, puddles, and streams freeze over, finding liquid water becomes a massive challenge for resident birds. Providing a non-frozen water source (such as using a birdbath heater or a heated bath) can be a literal lifesaver during harsh winter months.

7. Energy Conservation
Searching for water forces birds to expend valuable energy and exposes them to predators. Having a dependable water source in a safe, open backyard allows them to drink and bathe efficiently, conserving their energy for foraging and nesting.

8. Sourcing Safe Water in Urban Areas
In developed areas, natural water sources are often contaminated with lawn chemicals, pesticides, automotive fluids, or urban runoff. A clean, regularly maintained backyard birdbath offers a safe, toxin-free alternative.

9. Supports Nesting and Breeding Success
During the spring and summer breeding season, parent birds need extra hydration to handle the physical stress of raising young. Some species also use mud or damp materials near water sources to construct their nests.

10. Unparalleled Wildlife Observation
Water features—especially those with movement, like a dripper, mister, or bubbler—create dynamic activity. Watching birds splash, play, and interact around a water source provides incredible, close-up opportunities to observe natural behaviors that you rarely see at a standard food feeder.

Wild Birds Unlimited…We Bring People and Nature Together®

 

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