Birds DunRite

The availability of clean, preferably moving, water is the single most important feature in attracting birds to your backyard.  In fact, studies have shown you will attract two to three times the frequency of bird visits to your backyard bird sanctuary by including water and the easiest way to include water is with bird baths.

The depth of the water is important — the best variable depth is approximately 3 inches.  If you are modifying a deeper bowl, you can secure a screen below the water level or build up the base by adding river rocks and then carefully fill with smaller pebbles so birds cannot get trapped.

Make sure the water is not stagnant; splashing of moving water is more appealing to the birds.  Hosing out the bath daily is optimum for the health of your birds, as well as a good cleaning at least once a week.

In winter, consider using an automatic electric heater in your birdbath or consider the heated bird baths so that birds have access to clean, ice-free water during this critical period.   Do not use water additives such as glycerin or small amounts of antifreeze which are poisonous to birds.

Birdbaths are an essential addition to your backyard.  Now that migration is starting, water will help draw a variety of migrating birds to stop in your backyard.  If you have developed an adequate bird sanctuary with food, water and shelter with trees and shrubs, some of the migrating birds will actually stay in your backyard while others will continue their migration to warmer climates. 

To further create your winter habitat, heated bird baths are a must.  It is very easy to accomplish this with a heating element that can be positioned in the bird bath or buy a bird bath with the unit built-in.  Can you imagine the joy of the birds when they find some fresh water on a cold winter day!  Yes, they can peck at snow for water but heating this up in their bodies uses a lot energy best used to keep warm.  Place bird baths in view of a window from your home to watch the interactions and play of the birds.  The show is guaranteed to brighten dull winter days.

There are a number of ways to attract birds to enhance your backyard birding.  One is to provide different bird feeders for a variety of foods and provide water with bird baths.  Most important, birds must feel safe in a place for them to stay.  Shrubs, trees and flowers provide protection and security as birds are not out in the open. 

Feeding is probable the fastest way to a bird’s heart.  You are providing the supplemental food and water for them to want to stay with you.  Platform bird feeders which display the seed in full view are very attractive to the birds, so they are a good starter.  They can be supplemented with hopper and tube bird feeders.

There must be a source of water in your backyard for birds to drink and bathe.  It should not be too close to the feeders as birds tend to avoid bird baths that have lots of other activity around them.  Preening birds prefer peace and quiet when they arrange and dry their feathers.

Water is irresistible to birds in whatever form.  Providing water at varying heights attract a great number of birds.  Water should only be a few inches deep at the deepest place as some birds can easily drown.  For bird baths that are deeper than 2″ deep, pebbles can be placed at the bottom.  The sound of water, whether bubbling, dripping or splashing will lure birds to any backyard.

Water is essential to life.  Birds need it daily for drinking as well as bathing.  It is a joy to observe wild birds in water — a simple bath looks like such fun and how they do savor their sips of water.  Birdbaths are a simple solution for providing water.  Place birdbaths in view of windows in your home to watch the interactions and play of the birds as they come and go from the birdbaths.

The most popular birdbaths are shallow basins.  They require little maintenance and birds are comfortable in them.  A shallow birdbath, or one with a gentle slope to the middle, enables the birds to wade in.  The deepest level should not be more than three inches.  Rocks can be added to adjust water depths.  Textured surfaces are the most desirable since birds like to have secure footing.  Since they love moving water,  a nice addition to the birdbath is a water wiggler.  Another great advantage of the moving water is that it discourages mosquitoes.

Placed atop a pedestal, a birdbath offers a sense of security and stability.  Also popular are birdbaths designed to hang from a tree branch or those that can be clamped to a deck railing. These are especially good for people with very small yards or who live in buildings with no yards, giving them the opportunity to create a garden setting. 

A birdbath can be installed virtually anywhere so enhance your bird watching as well as providing a life essential for your feathered friends.

Birds are attracted to the sound of dripping or moving water. You can buy bird baths or create a shallow pond with a fountain. If you’re short on time or resources, you can hang a water-filled container with a hole on the bottom above a dish. Try not to place the water source near trees or bushes where cats can hide before pouncing. Also, make sure the water is not more than 1 inch deep.

A reliable access to clean, fresh water is a necessity for birds and is sometimes overlooked. Birdbaths are an ideal simple solution. Place the birdbath in a location you can enjoy–watching birds splash and bath can be quite hilarious–and most important, where the birds will be comfortable and safe. Light shade is preferable. The dappled shade of a tree branch hanging just a few feet above the water is perfect since it will provide shade, perches, and hiding places. Elevate a birdbath about three feet above ground to lessen the opportunity for predators. Another option for those with a railing on a patio or deck is to mount it to the railing like featured in the Summer Special.

Water shouldn’t be deep–three inches at the deepest point and water should be shallow at the edges so the birds can walk in. A wide flat, dry edge to land on attracts more birds. A great solution for having movement in the water which the birds love, is the WaterWiggler. This also is a great deterrent for mosquitoes. Refresh the water several times a week and scrub away any debris and algae.

This is a very low maintenance, attractive addition to your garden which will give hours of pleasure for both you and your birds.

One of the best additions you can make in your garden is a bird bath. Bird baths will not only attract birds to your home, but it will keep them coming back for a drink or a dip in the water.

You can find some really affordable bird baths online, and the ones you can find aren’t ugly or an eyesore. If you really do your homework, you can find something that you’ll want to keep in your backyard for years.