A classic toy that is really a heat engine!
The bird demonstrates the cooling effect caused by evaporation of water on its beak. The cooling causes a volatile liquid in the bird's body to condense, then evaporate again as it warms up, constantly changing the balance of the bird's body.
- Push the bird's head into water to begin the bobbing motion
- Continues to 'drink' as long as there is water in the container
The bird works best in warmer areas as it relies on there being a sufficient temperature difference between the bird's beak and its surroundings. Should the bird fail to bob, gently heating the glass bulb in the bird's tail with a hair-dryer on a low setting should suffice.