Alternative Operation
A 'dunking bird of the second kind' was introduced, which, while similar to the original drinking bird, will operate without a temperature difference, instead extracting free energy directly from the evaporation of water.
Such a bird works as follows: It is balanced such that, when dry, it tips into a head down position. The bird is placed next to a water source such that this position brings its beak into contact with water. Water is then lifted into the beak by capillary action (the authors used a triangular sponge) and carried past the fulcrum. When enough water has been raised, the bird tips into a head up position. With the beak out of the water, eventually enough water evaporates from the sponge for the head to tip down again.
Read more about this topic: Drinking Bird
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