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The rest of this week we are going to experience some of the coldest weather we've had in years. Temperatures this cold are very stressful on our feathered friends, and it's important to have your bath open and available for birds. Dehydration is a significant threat to birds as about 70% of a bird's non-fat body tissue is water that needs to be maintained. A bird's body temperature is around 106 degrees and, this combined with their small size, makes them prone to dehydration.
While there is some moisture in a bird's natural diet (insects, berries and even from snow), it's hard for them to find enough food and water in short daylight periods. The days are very short this time of year. Birds don't eat snow when the weather is this cold as they're busy just trying to find enough calories to keep warm. They know eating snow only increases caloric demand due to using body heat to melt snow. Birds can die of dehydration while surrounded by snow.
Keeping your bath clean and full of water is one of the most helpful things you can do. As I write this article there are five Bluebirds using my bath. They wouldn't be in my yard were it not for the open water. Their life is a little easier and I got to see Bluebirds on a cold snowy winter day. Life is good.
Oh yeah... if you feed, make sure your feeders are full as well. Stay warm.
Rog Taylor |
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