Did you know that owls are drinkers? This fact might come as a surprise, but there’s actually a lot of truth behind it. In most cases, owls are nocturnal animals which means they’re only active at night. They prefer to be out of sight and hiding during the day. Since owls hunt mainly at night and their diet usually consists of small animals, they need to be able to consume enough liquids throughout the day. That’s why drinking is an important part of their daily routine.
The type of liquid each owl consumes depends on the species, location and other factors as well. More specifically, some species tend to drink more than others based on their specific diets, habitats and other environmental conditions. Here we’ll discuss all the details about what drinking habits your favorite owl might have so you can get to know them better too!
How Do You Give Owls Water?
Owls need water to survive. Owls need to drink water just like they need food and they have a couple different methods of doing it. One way is that they have to perch on a branch near the water source so they can reach it without leaving their nest or territory. This is what the Northern Hawk Owl does when it finds its prey. Another method is that owls will actually fly down to the nearest body of water and try to grab the liquid with their talons, just like a hawks does. If you’re an owl owner and want your pet to drink more, you can provide them with a small dish for them to drink from as well.
Do Owls Drink Water From a Bowl?
No, owls don’t drink water from a bowl. This might seem like a strange question because most of us know what a bowl is. But owls are different. What they usually do is use a water-filled tree cavity or hollow log to drink from. They’re not picky about where they get their water and they’ll even drink from puddles if necessary.
What’s interesting is that this isn’t just limited to water. Some species of owl will also consume insects, fruit, plant sap and other bird eggs or prey during their drinking sessions.
How Do Owls Stay Hydrated?
Since owls have a diet that consists of mostly small prey, they need to consume plenty of liquids throughout the day in order to stay hydrated. To maintain an appropriate hydration level, owls will drink from both water and food sources. If a portion of their diet includes water, they will drink from it. If the prey they’re hunting includes mostly water content, then they should also take advantage of it. Some species of owl will turn to mud or wet leaves for their drinking source as well.
In addition to drinking from water and food sources, owls are generally very good at staying hydrated because of their adaptations that enable them to regulate temperature and moisture levels in their bodies. Owls’ feathers help them regulate body heat while their kidneys and urinary excretions help maintain water balance within the body. This helps them prevent dehydration while providing them with high levels of hydration!
should i leave a bowl of fresh water at all times for my owl?
The short answer is no. Generally, owls will not drink water that has been left out for them. They are more likely to drink a small amount of clean water every day which they find in their habitats or on the ground. The best way to ensure your owl is getting a good daily dose of water is by giving them a small bowl (preferably metal) filled with fresh water and hanging it in the cage.
Some species of owls, such as the Barn Owl, will also drink from rain puddles or snow banks if they’re available.
