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Index of Subjects David, I can't comment on the mockingbird, but I have a heated birdbath 2-3 yards away from my feeders and it is used constantly all day long, and sometimes is busier than my feeders - buying that heater was one of the best bird investments I have made! (And this is in addition to a small stream running through my property only a few more yards away). First to use it in the morning are usually mourning doves, 2 -3 at a time, with others lining up along the deck railing waiting for their turn, followed by miscellaneous small birds, singly or in 2s and 3s (sometimes 6-9), then groups of bluejays - and visits continue throughout each day, more frequently in freezing weather. Collectively, they drink enough daily that I often have to replenish the water level in freezing temperatures - sometimes twice - for fear of the element becoming exposed. Because starlings are a particular menace, not only drinking, but jumping in repeatedly for a bath, even at-10C, I have had to cover the birdbath with chicken wire, which has proved a most effective way of enforcing 'drinking only' rules! Eleanor Lindsay, Seabright David Johnston wrote: > We have had a MOCKINGBIRD, I believe to be a male , with us all fall > and winter. In fact, I believe it is the same bird that sang lustily > during the spring last year and probably did not find a mate. > He spends a good part of his day in our back yard, taking the odd > blueberry that I put out. The interesting thing to me, however, is > that he drinks water from our heated birdbath 8 - 10 times each day. > Other birds in our yard - house sparrows, starlings, doves and a few > tree sparrows do not pay that much attention to the water - just the > occasional visit. > Does anyone know why the mockingbird is so interested in drinking so > much and not consuming more blueberries?? I know there is other food > in the area that would be of interest and the bird looks healthy to > me. Why the water? Is it using "warm" water to aid in keeping its body > temperature up?? Any comments? > David Johnston Port Hawkesbury > > >
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