Birds - How do they drink ?

Sattal, Uttarakhand

I am ashamed but I will admit that up until last year, that is, well into my 40's, I never stopped to ask, how the hell do birds drink? They don't have lips. They've got these solid beaks.

In fact, it was this guy and the making of these photos that made me realize that most of them have to sip and tilt their necks up to get the water in. I still want to watch a long beaked bird like the Ibis drink. I've seen videos of how they have to flip their necks around and snap their beaks at the water and I also suspect some tongue action maybe happens during the process, but then that may be species specific as well.

It's just amazing how every living entity has to adapt despite whatever handicaps they may have in a situation. The playing field is never flat and fair. The rules never the same for everyone. There are no prizes for coming in last despite it all and if you're too soft to handle that. You're over man.

Mr. Kalij Pheasant here, doesn't give a damn about the fact that the cat can drink water easier. He just does not care.