Should you provide a water source for birds? If so, why?
Water is essential for all living organisms and birds are no exception. They need water to maintain their feather condition (i.e. preening) and more importantly, to stay alive! Water helps protect the nervous system and temperature regulation. Bird baths are a great way to help our feathered friends, especially during the winter. With snow and ice on the ground, birds often have difficulty finding a water source.
What is the best way to attract birds using a bird bath?
Similar to bird feeders you ideally want your bath positioned in a location that provides a nice balance of open space and protective covering. For instance, position the bath in an open yard but close to a tree or some shrubs. Such covering provides the birds with an ideal place to hang out while bathing or drinking. Other factors to consider in terms of bird bath placement is your view of the feeders, nearby windows that birds may fly into, prevailing winds (you'll want the bath protected from cold winds and gusting rain and snow during the fall and winter).
What types of bird baths are available?
There are many types of bird baths available. You can also make your own bird bath (see below). Bird baths are made of several different materials including stone, copper, other metals, glass, plastic, cement and ceramic. In freezing temperatures, ceramic and glass may crack so either change out the bath for a freezing friendly bath or completely chose an alternative. Hanging bird baths are attractive and great if you have a place to hang it. Fountain and drip baths are also available for continuously flowing water, which are ideal for all seasons to avoid microbial build-up and freezing.
Why should you provide a bird bath during winter? What should a buyer consider when purchasing a bird bath for winter? What about other seasons?
Water freezes during the winter in temperate areas, but there are several options to circumvent this problem. If the temperatures are consistently below freezing, consider using a continuously flowing birdbath. Alternatively, you can purchase a water heater to prevent freezing. During other seasons, bird baths are easy to maintain. If you want to purchase a fountain bird bath, considering purchasing a bath with solar power. This will reduce the amount of energy you use!
Is maintenance difficult? How do you maintain a bird bath?
Maintaining a bird bath is anything BUT difficult! There are several steps you can take in maintaining a clean bird bath. First, you can simply remove dirty water and debris from your bird bath and refill with clean water. Be sure to place the bird bath away from trees or shrubs where leaves may fall into the water. Lastly, keep the feeders away from your bird bath. Birds can be voracious eaters during the winter. Seed shells can decompose in stagnant water and cause a mess.
Diseases have become an increasing concern for wild birds. Stagnant water and bird feeders can develop into vectors for disease transmission if not cleaned regularly. If your bath is in need of a scrub, the following steps can be taken to sanitize it. In order to clean your bird bath, all you need are gloves, a scrubber, clean water, and chlorine bleach (or equivalent). First, dilute 3/4 cup of bleach with 1 gallon of water (wear gloves!), then dump any remaining water out of bird bath. Rinse bird bath with clean water and scrub (wear gloves!) for a few minutes and then allow it to sit for a few more (totally around 5-7 minutes). Rinse bird bath 4-5 times with fresh water to remove any residual bleach. Lastly, add new water – you have a clean bird bath!
What are the ideal depth dimensions for a bird bath?
Because birds use baths for both drinking and bathing, there are a few things that you should keep in mind when purchasing a bird bath. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Birds need a perch to drink water so find a bath with either a “shore” around the water or perches. When a bird bathes, it needs the water to be shallow enough to get into and out of the water.
What are the accessories one should consider? (i.e. water wigglers???, fountains, drippers, de-icers).
Accessories are helpful to maintain your bird bath during all seasons. Fountain and dripper bird baths regulate the flow of water. During the summer, this prevents fungi and bacteria from building up in the bath. In some areas, you may find “red” algae at the bottom of your bird baths. These accessories plus de-icers are also helpful during the winter to prevent water from freezing.
What is the price range?
Prices depend on the type of bird bath that you want to purchase. If you are looking for a traditional garden bird bath, you can find a bath for $22.00-$150.00 depending on the “frills” and design. Stone bird baths can range from $80.00-$150.00, whereas copper baths range from $25.00-$150.00. Hanging baths can be a bit cheaper, ranging from $20.00-$130.00. If you want to use solar power baths can range from $28.00-$200.00 depending on the material used (stone vs. plastic). Heated baths or de-icers cost about $50.00-$150.00 and fountain baths are $30.00-$275.00 depending if you want to purchase an appendage to your current fountain or the whole package.
Can you make your own bird bath?
If you are unable to purchase a bird bath or want a project to do with your kids, consider making your own bath. Grab a circular cake pan (metal or glass) that will not rust. Glass and ceramic only work in mild climates because they may crack when temperatures drop below freezing. Place a rock in the middle of the bath to ensure that they have a perch. Add approximately a couple centimeters of water – keep it shallow! Place your new bird feeder on a platform that will not be easily spilled.
Alternatively, you can go to your local hardware store (Lowe’s or Home Depot) and find a flat stone with a shallow indent in the center. This serves as a shallow bath for drinking and bathing.
What are you likely to see (bird behavior) around a bird bath?
As stated above, birds will drink and bathe in your bird bath. They may flutter their wings to spread water all over their body. Around the bath, you may see competitive behaviors between and within species, especially if they’re extremely territorial.
What species are attracted to baths?
Many species of birds will use bird baths! In the eastern US, you may see eastern bluebirds, blue jays, northern cardinals, American goldfinches, American robins, house finches, and several species of sparrow at your baths. In the western US, you may see western bluebirds, bushtits, Lawrence’s goldfinches, lesser goldfinches, oak titmice, acorn woodpeckers, California towhees, western scrub jays, house finches, and house sparrows. Essentially, any birds that you see at your bird feeders, will also be found at your bird baths.
