February was unseasonably warm here in Arkansas, but the birds in my yard were still active every day. I photographed an Eastern Bluebird stopping at my birdbath for a drink, which reminded me how important water is during winter.
Food often gets the most attention this time of year, but water can be harder for birds to find. Natural sources freeze, and snow does not provide enough usable moisture. A reliable water source can make a real difference.
Why Birds Still Need Water in Winter
Birds need water year-round for drinking and for keeping their feathers clean. Clean feathers trap air better, which helps birds stay warm. When water is unavailable, birds have to burn extra energy searching for it.
Providing liquid water helps birds conserve energy, especially during cold nights and short winter days. Even a simple birdbath can become one of the most important resources in your yard.
Winterizing a Backyard Birdbath
Keeping water available in winter does not have to be complicated. I do not use a birdbath heater in my yard.
Instead, I empty the birdbath whenever the water freezes and refill it with fresh water throughout the day. In Arkansas, winter temperatures often rise above freezing, even on cold days, which makes this approach workable.
A few simple habits help:
- I dump frozen water as soon as I notice it.
- I refill the birdbath with fresh water multiple times a day when I am home.
- I place the birdbath where it gets direct sunlight, which helps delay freezing.
- I keep the bath clean so birds can drink safely when water is available.
A shallow birdbath works best. Birds can step in quickly, drink, and move on without slipping or lingering in the cold.
What I See in My Yard
The Eastern Bluebird I photographed returned several times throughout the day. It drank briefly and moved on, which is typical behavior. Birds often take quick sips rather than lingering, especially in open areas where they stay alert for predators.
Moments like this reinforce how small actions in a backyard can support wildlife, even in winter.
Year-Round Bird Care
I also wrote about helping birds during hot weather, and many of the same ideas apply year-round. Water is just as critical in summer heat as it is during winter cold.
If you want to go a step further, I also have a related post on keeping a birdbath accessible during winter that expands on heater options and placement.
Providing water is one of the simplest ways to support birds. It takes very little effort, and the payoff is seeing healthy, active wildlife even during the coldest months.