Water Sources for Birds
Birds need a dependable supply of fresh, clean water for drinking and
bathing— few things are more attractive to them than a well-maintained
birdbath. In fact, a birdbath in your yard may attract birds that don't
eat seeds and wouldn't otherwise come to your feeders.
Traditional concrete birdbaths sold in garden shops make nice lawn
ornaments, but aren't the best type for birds— they're often too
deep and hard to clean and may crack during winter freezes.
Birdbaths that mimic rain puddles are best. These are shallow basins
with a slight slope so birds can wade into the water.
Setting up a bird bath
Birds seem to prefer ground level baths. If you're concerned about
cats, raise the bath two or three feet off the ground.
Keep the water level at 1/2" — 1" deep at the edges, sloping to
a maximum of 2" in the middle.
Add some sand in the bottom to give the birds sure footing. If the
bath is on the ground, arrange a few branches or stones in the water
so that birds can stand on them and drink without getting wet (this
is particularly important in winter).
Place your birdbath in the shade, near trees or shrubs if possible
(but not so close that cats could pounce). The shade keeps the water
from evaporating quickly and keeps it fresher. Birds wet from bathing
don't fly well, so they're more vulnerable to predators. Shrubbery nearby
gives them a safe place to hide while they preen and dry off.
One of the best ways to make your birdbath even more attractive is
to provide dripping water. Many birds find the sight and sound of moving
water irresistible. You can buy a commercial dripper or sprayer.
Keeping the water from freezing
There are several ways to keep your birdbath ice-free in winter. Several
manufacturers now offer birdbaths with built-in, thermostatically-controlled
heaters. Alternatively you can purchase a separate immersion heater,
available at most places bird feeders are sold. The latest models will
turn off if the water in the bath dries up. Ideally, put your heater
on a ground-fault interrupted circuit (available from any hardware or
electrical supply store) to eliminate the chance of electric shock.
A homemade solution is to put a light bulb in a flower pot under the
water basin. The light bulb will provide more than enough heat to keep
the water from freezing.
Never add antifreeze to the birdbath— it is poisonous to all animals,
including birds. Some people use glycerin as a makeshift antifreeze
in birdbaths, but we do not recommend it. Glycerin is a low-level toxin— if
birds drink too much, it raises their blood sugar so much that they
may die. Furthermore, when birds bathe in glycerin-spiked water, their
feathers can become matted. Matted plumage is poor insulation, leaving
birds susceptible to cold temperatures.
Maintaining your birdbath
The secret to attracting lots of birds is to keep your birdbath full
at all times. But remember to change the water every couple of days
to keep it fresh and avoid the growth of algae. Most important, clean
the birdbath regularly, to get rid of spoiled food particles and droppings,
which may spread bird diseases.
