
Recently, many people have been telling me that they are very tired of photos of dry birds. Naturally, being in the extended service industry (consulting), I want to help. So, here’s a collection of wet birds.


A wet Grey-eyed Bulbul (Xishuangbanna, China)

A wet African Pygmy Kingfisher (Mkuze, South Africa)

A wet Blackcap (Visselhoevede, Germany)

A wet Daurian Redstart (Shennongjia, China)



Wet Orange-bellied Leafbirds (Tengchong, China)


A wet Moustached Laughingthrush (Tengchong, China)


A wet Blue-winged Minla (Tengchong, China)

A wet European Bee-eater (Mkuze, South Africa)

A wet Collared Finchbill (Shennongjia, China)


A wet Brown-headed Kingfisher (Mkuze, South Africa)

A wet Chestnut-tailed Minla (Tengchong, China)

Wet Vinous-throated Parrotbills (Shennongjia, China)

A wet Goldcrest (Tengchong, China)

A wet Yellow-bellied Tit (Shennongjia, China)


A wet White-throated Fantail (Tengchong, China)

A surprisingly dry-looking Yellow-cheeked Tit (Baihualing, China). Waterproof?

A wet Large Niltava (Tengchong, China)

Wet Whiskered Yuhinia (Baihualing, China)

A wet Puff-bellied Babbler (Xishuangbanna, China)

Wet Red-billed Oxpeckers (Mkuze, South Africa)

A wet Red-tailed Minla (Tengchong, China)

Wet Red-billed Queleas (Mkuze, South Africa)


A wet Silver-eared Mesia (Tengchong and Baihualing, China)

A wet White-browed Laughingthrush (Shennongjia, China)

A wet Rufous-capped Fulvetta (Tengchong, China)

A wet Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher (Xishuangbanna, China)

A very wet Japanese Night Heron (Chongming, China)

A wet Black-winged Cuckooshrike (Nanhui, China)


A wet Black Drongo (Nanhui, China)

A wet female White-Throated Rock Thrush (Nanhui, China)


A wet Tiger Shrike (Nanhui, China)



A wet Japanese Paradise Flycatcher (Nanhui, China)

And finally, a wet African Penguin (Cape Town, South Africa). Even though this bird is definitely wet, it still feels a bit like cheating to include it in this post.
I love this! The Silver-eared Mesia is a standout. And, yes, the African Penguin is a bit of a cheat, but how can you say ‘no’ to a penguin photo? I also love photographing wet birds, especially when they’re bathing. They often take on such an entirely different ‘look,’ and the water droplets, when captured, provide a fun background.
Yuhiniax? Is that like Latinx?
Thanks for pointing this out, Paul – I changed it. A position as a proofreader – unfortunately unpaid – is still open here if you are interested.
Definitely not my strong point, Kai! But thanks anyway for the offer.
What a great idea? Maybe not as aesthetically pleasing in every case but somehow more photographically interesting and so many birds captured in motion, which adds a different dimension. Have you thought about an exhibition at SCOP? Anyway, Kai, definitely wet bird photographer of the year 🙂
What a great collection of wet birds , they always look funny when they r wet!!