Happy Drinking Bird Novelty

Grandpa's offers a variety of Unique Gifts, Occult & Metaphysical supplies, including a large selection of magical tools, ritual supplies, and metaphysical books for seekers on many paths.
This section is just plain fun stuff and novelties for kids from 6-106.

Nostalgia Toys ~ Children's Novelties
Drinking Birds For Sale

Take a trip down nostalgia road with the drinking bird! Many moons ago, we used to see these in Stuckey's in the Southwest when I would travel with my Grandpa and Grandma in the summer. Stuckey's was kind of a novelty and souvenir shop. These little novelties were being sold as Road Runner Drinking Birds when I saw them. Also known as the Dippy Bird, or happy bird, they all do the same thing. The drinking bird appears to drink water and can do this indefinitely.

A Toy Bird Drinking water?
Yes, it does appear as if the bird is drinking water. First, you wet the head of the drinking bird in a glass of water. The water starts to cool the head, making it cooler than the bottom of the bird. As the head cools, the fluid in the body of the drinking bird is rises up from the bottom, gradually shifting the center of gravity of the bird toward the bird's head. The bird tips over and dips its bill into a glass of water, keeping the head wet. This also moves the liquid back into the base of the bird and it stands back up and the cycle starts over. This may continue indefinitely, as long as there is water in the glass.

The drinking bird really is entertaining and fun for kids of all ages. It can be a great gift for the office, or just a really fun conversation piece. Many stores also sell the drinking bird as a fun science project in thermodynamics.

Vintage Toys ~ Drinking Birds
Drinking Bird Novelty Toy
Happy Bird ~ Animal Novelties

Not actually children's "toys", these drinking birds are not meant to be played with. The birds are meant to be entertainment novelties, something to watch. Another great vintage toy that is too much fun. We had this little guy in our shop for several years up on a shelf. Every few days the bird would stop drinking, as the water level got too low.

Drinking Bird Details:
The drinking bird is stands 7 inches tall and comes boxed. The birds body is glass and contains a heat sensitive chemical (methelene chloride). The birds we have for sale may have red or blue liquid, depending on our current supply. The legs/stand of the drinking bird are molded plastic. There is also an adjustable metal collar around the body, so you can get the drinking bird set up just right. The bird has a feather tail and wears a hat. The drinking bird box has assembly instructions and cautions. Please do read both.

Drinking Bird Tips and Hints
Distilled water is best, if you live where the water is very hard. Hard water will eventually build up mineral deposits on the drinking birds bill.
If you have trouble getting the bird to drink properly, try beer (just kidding!). Try adjusting the metal collar on the birds body, up or down slightly. Occasionally, you might need to bend the collar, ever so slightly, so that the bird is moved forward or backward on the stand.

Notes For Parents Of Small Children
The drinking bird toy comes with several warnings on the box. First, is a choking hazard-small parts, "not for children under 3 yrs".
Second, is a warning "This product is not a toy and is not intended for use by children under 8 years of age. Use under adult supervision. Avoid breaking glass, contains methelene chloride and may stain clothing and other surfaces. Do not swallow or allow to come into contact with eyes. Flammable. Keep away from flame and other heat sources." For this reason, the drinking bird is not recommended for children under 8.

The happy drinking bird is a really fun novelty and a great gift for the young, or young at heart! Can't have a pet, how about a drinking bird?

Looking for more vintage kids toys? Just click here, to take you to our toy section! Be sure to check out out our specials, for any vintage toys or other novelties that may be on sale!Unique and Unusual Novelties-Weird and Strange Gifts-Bird Toys-Novelty Animal Toy-Vintage Toys-Novelties-Novelty Toy-fun kids stuff