Wild birds & available water

[nohorn]

We live on a mountain ridge, I have a large bird feeder, birds include chickadee, grossbeak, red polls. Do they need fresh water in the winter time? When it is below freezing, I don't know of any fresh water available to them. Should I provide water for them. I would need some sort of heater in the water so it would not freeze.

[wildwood]

Birds seem to have a knack of remembering where there is water even in frosty weather. I've seen them nibbling the end of lower shrub leafs in freezing weather to get the moisture off them.
A lot of gutters have water in the lowest places and there is enough heat from the house to keep it from freezing solid.

If you want to provide fresh water for them you need to do it every morning. They don't go looking for water until it is light so you don't need to be too early. Perhaps one of those insulated plastic cups that are designed to keep the drink warm, they should also keep the water from freezing too quickly.
Not sure about something with a heater though. I don't like any electrical stuff outside in wet weather unless it is designed to be there.