Thirsty birds on water search in heat

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The extreme heat is affecting Central Texas wildlife, including birds, according to the Travis Audubon Society.

"I think they get pretty overlooked just because they’re not domesticated and we don’t have a lot to do with them,” said Austinite Kate Kelly. “They kind of take care of themselves."

Bird enthusiast Laurie Foss said a bird cools off by opening its beak since it can’t sweat. That means they dehydrate more quickly. Now water sources birds frequent are drying up.

"Natural sources of water that drying up are forcing them to disperse wider to look in yards, to look for puddles, to find water wherever they can," said Laurie Foss, Travis Audubon volunteer.

Foss said residents can help by creating a backyard habitat that has four things: shelter, a place to raise their young, food and water. Foss' backyard is an oasis with bird feeders sporting all different kinds of food, birdbaths and plenty of trees.

“People can help out a lot,” said Foss. “All it takes is a really simple watering set-up. You don’t even have to go out to the bird store and buy something called a bird bath. You don’t have to do that, a simple saucer that would be used under a plant is plenty.”

But Foss said she's extra worried about hummingbirds, since all her flowering plants refuse to bloom. Instead of their natural source of nutrients and water, hummingbirds have to rely on us for feeders.

“A simple four parts of water to one part of sugar,” said Foss. “Just make sure that you change it out every couple of days, because in this heat again it’s going to mold really quickly.”

The same goes for the bird bath and water dishes. Make sure they’re cleaned out and refilled regularly.

Thursday's Nature Night at the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center is all about hummingbirds. Foss and other Travis Audubon volunteers are leading tours of the gardens starting at 6:15 p.m.