Water them at ground level rather than risk causing damage to the nests. Remember your tap water contains different chemicals to rainwater, so you are risking damage by using tap water. Also, climatic conditions affect all creatures. So, birds which nest during particular seasons plan their breeding cycle to suit those seasons. You could interrupt these cycles by artificially changing conditions. Be aware of the breeding cycles of all wild animals when you water or trim plants. Your local museum will have an ornithologist who can advise you on this; it only takes a phone call and could save an entire new generation of creatures.
No, these birds live in nests, but may fish at times.
Some birds that build their nests on the ground are flightless birds, such as emus and ostriches, but other birds which can fly are also ground-nesting. These birds include chickens, penguins, killdeer (a kind of plover), and water birds such as ducks, geese, swans etc.
Birds, like many animals, carry a reflexive behavior to guard their nests by fighting, keeping other male birds away from their 'territories', and competing for food, water, and gravel.
By finding food and water to fuel the basic functions of their body. They also build nests and compete with other birds.
They are usually close to water, and made of sticks and such, just like any other birds nest.
Yes, most birds need fresh water to live. Some seabirds get the water they need from their food sources: fish or marine plants.
Water.
Birds build their nests in different places depending on their habitat. Most build them up in the air, in trees, sides of cliffs and buildings. This allows them to be protected from most of the predators that can't fly or climb. There are flightless birds and many water fowl that build their nests on the ground.
James F. Parnell has written: 'Management of North Carolina's colonial waterbirds' -- subject(s): Water birds, Colonial birds, Conservation, Wildlife conservation, Bird populations, Birds '1983 supplement to Atlas of colonial waterbirds of North Carolina estuaries' -- subject(s): Maps, Nests, Water birds, Colonial birds, Estuarine animals
Grebes build the nests in shallow water and are often anchored at one or two points, but they are basically floating on the water. The Jacanas build nests which often sink into the water while the bird is sitting on it. Three species of Marsh Terns (eg, the Black Tern, Chilodonias niger) build nests of broken reeds in water up to 4 ft deep. These nests are sometimes anchored to nearby vegetation. Resource: http://www.earthlife.net/birds/nests.html
Chickens are very poor flyers and do not fly very often.Peach face love-birds are another species that prefer to build their nests close to water and food thus ensuring they do not have to fly much.
Floating plants protect small water animals by floating near the surface of the water and preventing birds from eating or harming the animals underneath.