Bird Of The Day, theme 'WaterDroplets', alt theme 'Robins'

natureMay 16, 2026621,224

Bird Of The Day named WaterDroplets as today's theme, with an alternate focus on Robins. Photographers submitted images ranging from a sunlit male Mallard shedding a water droplet to an American Robin foraging, a Dark-eyed Junco encountering frozen droplets in Canada, an Australian Hardhead, and Elegant Terns in the United States. All media are welcome for the weekly showcase, which highlights bird behavior and regional diversity and offers birders and nature photographers concrete subjects to explore.

Rob Crank Photography

@robcrank68.bsky.social

Good morning folks. Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #WaterDroplets, any bird capture with splashes of water. The Alt theme is #Robins, any Robin will do. #birds #ECK #photography #CanonR5mkii #ukbirding @rspb.bsky.social #birdphotography #BirdLife #naturephotography

1294h ago

Rina

@rina2012.bsky.social

Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #WaterDroplets, The Alt theme is #Robins A blue tit enjoys a bath on the shores of #LakeConstance 🪶 #birds #birding #BirdsSeenIn2026 #Germany #wildlife #photography #nature #thelittlethings #ECK

A blue tit is bathing in the shallow water amongst some pebbles. Drops of water are splashing.

833h ago

Dave Meredith

@davemeredith.bsky.social

Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #WaterDroplets with the alternative theme #Robins. A European Robin bathing in a garden pond in south #Cheshire, England. #ForJanet #ECK #photography #birds #nature #wildlife #Kodachrome #1990s #ManualFocusLens

A European Robin bathing in a garden pond lined with small stones. The bird is facing the camera looking to its left with water droplets on its feathers.

702h ago

Graham Jones2

That is such a lovely capture. The Robin looks a bit put out that you have disturbed its ablutions, though. 😁

Merisi Vienna2

Cutie, enjoying herself! Beautifully captured!

雪乃しずく（shizukuxuenai）2

Wow❣ How adorable 🥰 Lovely shot, thank you for sharing 👍💕

PJ 🇮🇪☘️

@knotweed-ireland.bsky.social

Bird of The Day - (Water Droplets) A Coot splashing about in the lake today... Co. Galway, Ireland. #WaterDroplets #BirdOfTheDay #Coot #Birds #Wildlife #Ireland #Nature #ECK #Photography #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #PhotographyIsArt

703h ago

The Garden Jungle

@thegardenjungle.bsky.social

#WaterDroplets is for #BirdOfTheDay today, here’s a majestic Swan and Cygnet at Walcot Park #birds #thegardenjungle #wildlifephotography #birdwatching #shropshire #UKwildlife #birdphotography #canon #photography

664h ago

Michael R Photography 🌿

@msriffle.bsky.social

Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #WaterDroplets. I photographed this stunning little ruddy turnstone last week. It was fishing in the shallows of our local wildlife refuge on the #GulfofMexico. #photography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #ECK #birds #Nikon #Z8 #shorebirds #Birdsky

441h ago

Martin Sepion

@martinsepion.bsky.social

Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme chosen by @robcrank68.bsky.social is #WaterDroplets, any bird capture with splashes of water. #birds #photography #ECK @wildlifebcn.org #BirdLife Who knew the Common Kestrel is actually a wader? Eventually the Kestrel came out on top and the rat came to a sticky end.

443h ago

🇸🇪Henrik Frietsch 📸🐦🪲🦧

@henrikfrietsch.bsky.social

@robcrank68.bsky.social's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #WaterDroplets! A cool theme that I definitely need to work on! Time to hide by some water and wait for some action🤣 Found one shot of a White-throated dipper doing some dipping🤣 #birds #Photography #ECK #BirdsSeenIn2026 #SonyAlpha

373h ago

Pirritin

@pirritin.bsky.social

I Believe I Can Fly - R. Kelly #BirdOfTheDay #BOTD #WaterDroplets, any bird capture with splashes of water #WeekSforSongs #AlphabetChallenge #Birds #BirdButt #BirdPhotography #Gulls #Nature #ECK

394h ago

Amy Gann

@amygann.bsky.social

A siberian crane at the International Crane Foundation strikes a pose as it jumps into the water. Water can be seen falling from its wings. #birdoftheday #waterdroplets #cranes #protectnature #wildlife #birds #EastCoastKin

A siberian crane photographed at the International Crane Foundation jumps as it heads into the water. One leg is stretched toward the water as its neck is stretched out and its wings are askew. Water droplets can be seen falling from its wings

374h ago

Anna Quent

@annaquent.bsky.social

@robcrank68.bsky.social hat zum heutigen #BirdOfTheDay das Thema #WaterDroplets Hier ein Zilpzalp, der ein Bad im Brunnen nimmt.

Ein Zilpzalp sitzt in einem Brunnen, und badet darin. Die Flügel sind nach oben gestellt, und Wassertropfen spritzen nach hinten, und nach oben.

252h ago

Fraggs Photography 📸🦊🦉🦋🦔 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

@fraggenstein.bsky.social

Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #WaterDroplets, any bird capture with splashes of water set by @robcrank68.bsky.social ~ A very busy Red Necked Phalarope at WWT Llanelli Wetlands - South Wales 🪶🦉 #birdingWales #ukbirding #birdphotography #ECK #ukwildlife #naturephotography #naturetherapy #waders

Phalaropes are a strange group of pot-bellied, long-necked, short-legged, needle-billed waders that prefer to be in the water, rather than at the edge. Unusually in birds, phalarope females are more brightly coloured than the males who spend their time incubating the nests so need to be more camouflaged. In a role reversal that goes further than just plumage, females will compete for nest sites at breeding grounds, choose a male and then defend him against other females. Once the chicks arrive, the female leaves the male to raise them on his own.

How to identify

In their non-breeding plumage, red-necked phalaropes are grey, with a dark patch near the eye and on the head. During the breeding season, females have a white chin with a surrounding rust-red band on the neck, grey breast and dark back. Males are duller, with a grey back and white underside. The similar grey phalarope is slightly larger and stockier, with a thicker bill and is more likely to be found around the coast.

Distribution

A very rare nesting bird of western and northern Scottish Isles. A rare visitor to wetlands anywhere in the country during spring and autumn migration, but most often seen on the east coast.

Did you know?

Phalaropes feed in an odd way for waders: they swim round in circles, disturbing the water and picking off any insects, midges or water-loving creatures that appear at the surface. They have lobed toes, enabling them to swim well.

353h ago

Tony Allen-Mills

@taminf.bsky.social

For today's #BirdoftheDay by @robcrank68.bsky.social here's a Great Crested Grebe newly-surfaced from a dive, its plumage glistening with #waterdroplets. #photography #birds

274h ago

TARA SMITHSON -Wildlife & Nature 📸

@tarasmithson.bsky.social

#BirdOfTheDay theme is #waterdroplets Here's a Pacific Black Duck enjoying his daily bubble bath. 🫧🦆🫧 #birds #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #photography #Canon #R5 #duck

A photograph captures a Pacific Black Duck mid-splash in dark, reflective water, creating a dynamic spray of glittering droplets all around it. The duck is positioned in the center, facing left, with its intricate brown-and-tan scalloped feathers rendered in exquisite detail. A brilliant, iridescent blue-green speculum feather patch flashes vividly on its wing. The duck's head features its characteristic bold black and cream facial stripes and a striking amber-colored eye, while countless tiny, frozen water droplets cling to its head and back like fine jewels. The dark, moody water reflects shimmering golden and green light from the surrounding environment, contrasting with the explosive, bright water spray kicking up behind the duck.

243h ago

Atlantic Birding

@atlanticbirding.bsky.social

🪶 @robcrank68.bsky.social has chosen #WaterDroplets as today’s #BirdOfTheDay theme, Alt. is #Robins I have a close up shot of a male Mallard in the sunshine with a drop of water coming off its beak. #birds #birdsofbluesky #birdphotography #ECK #irishbirding #naturephotography #ColorADay #GreenSat

284h ago

Bird Of The Day, theme 'WaterDroplets', alt theme 'Robins'nature Bird Of The Day, theme 'Robins'nature Bird Of The Day, theme 'Robins'nature

Bird Of The Day, theme 'WaterDroplets', alt theme 'Robins'

Related