Landscaping And Gardening

Bird BathsProducts Relating to 'Bird Baths'

Are you a casual or perhaps an avid bird watcher, and you are interested in bringing more birds to your back yard? Keep in mind that birds have three primary needs, food, shelter and water. If you can sustain all three, you will find that soon many species of birds will visit your yard, and some may drink and bathe all year long. Putting in bird baths can be the easiest way to attract your fine feathered friends!

Why should I have bird baths? I already have feeders.

Did you know that you can attract more birds with bird baths than with bird feeders? This is because clean and fresh water can often be the most difficult primary need for a bird to locate. Providing a bird bath is a great way to bring bird species close to you. It is less expensive to keep a bird bath full of water than continually buying seed for a feeder.

You can easily make your own bird baths

if you don't want to spend the money to purchase bird baths, you can make a simple bath from scratch by setting a shallow pan on a picnic table, stool or tree stump and keeping it full of clean water. A large, flat rock with slight indentation in the center will even work well attached to a metal support post. Note that wooden support posts will tend to rot after time from the dripping water. You can even make a functional bird bath by using a overturned garbage can lid, cake pan, clay pot saucer or hub cap!

I plan to buy a bird bath. So, what type should I get?

bird baths come in many different materials, including ceramic, glass and cement and resin compunds. Resin materials are great, they don't crack in cold weather and you can leave them out all year round and they last season after season with minimal maintenance. Make sure you have a rough-bottom bird bath. Birds need traction to grab onto and prevent slipping. If you have smooth-bottom bird baths, try adding pebbles for traction. Another possibility is to add stick-on decals that we use in our bathtubs.

Make sure your bird baths are 3" or less in depth at the center of the bowl. It is best to have a bowl with a gradual incline to the middle. This allows birds to easily climb out. You don't want to drown your bird friends! You may find that many commercial bird baths sold today are too deep. If you see a design you can't live without, but you are concerned about depth, you can add pebbles on the bottom to make the bird bath shallow. The only drawback with adding pebbles is that you may have to clean it frequently.

What extras should I look for in bird baths?

Running water features are excellent. The sound and sight of water dripping will add many more bird visitors to your bird bath. Birds are much more attracted to a bird bath that has falling water than those without. You can easily add a dripping water feature by attaching a small hose to your bird bath. There are many models of garden bird baths or heated bird baths that trickle water on the side, or from the middle. There are also small fountains made specifically for birdbaths that can be added.

Where should I place my bird bath?

Many birds like to bathe in an area that is not complete sun, but not too shady. Vegetation nearby is good so that birds can land in a tree or shrub to check for safety. then hop to the bird bath and hop to the shrub or tree as they leave. It is also a good idea to place the bird bath near a tree of shrub that does not mind getting extra water. Of course, you'll want to find a spot for your new bird bath in viewing distance of a window or a patio so you can see all your new friends in action!

Article Published: Monday 9th April 2007