This is Bird Note.

It's 27 degrees outside, and a robin is rolling and flopping in the bird bath, flinging water every which way.

What on earth is it thinking? Isn't it going to freeze to death with all that water on its feathers?

Well, it turns out that bathing in winter actually helps birds' feathers

protect them from the cold. The bath washes away particles of dirt that might otherwise prevent

the feathers from their waterproofing work. And it probably also helps remove parasites. Birds need water

in all seasons, for drinking and for bathing. So, when the water

in your bird bath is frozen, you can thaw it with hot water, or go the slightly more expensive

but easier route by adding a heater. Some things to keep in mind, it'll help to put the

bird bath on the south side of the

house or in the spot that gets the most sun or against a sheltered wall place it no more

than six feet from a tree or shrub so the birds can fly to cover if a predator comes along

if you supply winter birds with water you'll be doing them a great service. And you might

attract some really fascinating customers. For Bird Note, I'm Mary McCann. Bird Note gives you

the sounds of birds every day, and you get the sites as well when you follow us on Instagram,

at BirdNote Radio.