At the edge of the wild wild woods, I keep a bowl with open water for the birds. Many species use it to drink and to preen their feathers even in cold weather. Feathers do their job of insulating for warmth better when they are clean. The Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus often drums on the ground to find ant larvae to eat. That may make him thirsty. The Blue Jay Cyanocitta cristata occasionally dives in for a full bath.
