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Why water is so important for birds – and tips on dishing up a drink

  • Last updated: 9 January 2026
As winter blankets our gardens in icy conditions, providing a water source for birds has never been more important.
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Birds, such as starlings, need water to drink and bathe to keep their feathers in tip-top condition.

A pond is a game changer in any garden, providing all kinds of benefits to wildlife particularly as temperatures drop. But for birds, it can mean the difference between surviving the winter and thriving over winter.

Of course, you don’t have to have a vast wildlife pond to make a difference. Birds bath, water-filled trugs or upturned bin lids (with submerged rocks for perching) - or even a shallow dish of water (high up and away from predators) - will be just as welcome. 

Here's some reasons why water is so important and ways to provide it in your garden.

  1. Water helps birds fluff up their feathers
    Birds need fresh and clean water to keep their feathers in good condition. They splash vigorously while bathing to loosen dirt, remove pests and diseases, and then preen to spread natural oils. In the winter, this is particularly important for waterproofing, and the process of cleaning traps air, which keeps the birds warm. 

    TIP: Ensure you change the water daily so it doesn’t become dirty, and diseases are not transferred from one bird to the next. Ensure ponds and dishes have steps, rocks or little ‘beaches’ of pebbles so birds can get in and out easily. This is particularly important in early spring when there are fledglings.
     

  2. Ponds provide natural cafes for birds
    It’s a lovely sight watching smaller birds drink from a pond. They take a sip and throw their heads back to swallow - as if they’re savouring a cocktail! Like us, birds need water to drink because they shed moisture though droppings and respiration. Garden songbirds often lose more water than other birds due to their dry, seed-heavy diets. Smaller birds need around 15ml per day. Pigeons and doves also have specially adapted tongues that act like straws.  

    TIP: In the winter, water sources can become frozen, so add a stone to smaller dishes, or a floating object (preferably filled with warm water) to ponds to ensure there’s always a hole. Never use anti-freeze or other chemicals in ponds, as this can poison wildlife. And avoid cracking the ice, as this can disturb wildlife within the pond.
     

  3. Boost their hydration with berries. 
    Shrubs with berries offer a natural source of water for birds too. Blackberries, holly, apples, cherries and elderberries are a good source. Berries can be scarcer in late winter, and they’re not a substitute for fresh water - but they have the added benefit of a boost of vitamins too. (Find some other great free ways to feed the birds here).

    TIP: Now is a good time to plants bare-root shrubs and trees, while the plants are dormant. Provided the soil is not frozen, you can slot them into your garden anytime up to March. Here’s a list of lovely wildlife-friendly shrubs.