Many birds have special bills and feet for swimming, wading and feeding in water. In times of drought, places with fresh water can attract thousands of birds.
Water birds are a large and varied group. Most are exclusive to fresh water sources such as rivers, lakes, dams and wetlands, however many sea and shore birds can also be regularly found in fresh water, e.g. cormorants and many migratory waders. Water birds include members of the following groups: ducks, geese and swans; grebes; pelicans, darters and many cormorants; herons, ibises, spoonbills and storks; cranes, rails, moorhens and coots; and several members of the waders.
Demonstration site only. Content taken from Birds in Backyards website.