Excessive heat and water shortages cause problems for birds and wildlife as well as people, says a wildlife specialist in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences. Other species don't normally drink water, but get it instead from consuming fruit and vegetation. In drought conditions, Brittingham explains, the ponds, streams and rain puddles used by birds diminish or dry up.
Homeowners can offer birds a reliable source of water by installing a bird bath.
You even can make a birdbath using a garbage can lid. By placing a few stones inside, the birds have a place to perch while drinking. Bird baths should be no deeper than 3 inches in the center and sides should slope down to its deepest point. The bath surface should be rough, so birds can maintain sure footing. Pebbles, stone and concrete offer good traction, but plastic is often too slippery.