Tips for offering water to the birds
Birds need water to survive and though they extract some moisture from their food, most birds seek water every day. Birds use water for bathing to clean their feathers and remove parasites. After bathing, a bird usually perches in a sunny spot and fluffs its feathers out to dry. Then it preens each feather, adding a protective coating of oil secreted by a gland at the base of its tail. A dependable supply of fresh, clean water is very attractive to most all birds. A birdbath will even bring birds to your yard that will not visit your feeders. Providing water for birds improves the quality of your backyard bird habitat and should provide you with a great opportunity to observe bird behavior and more species.
To attract a variety of birds keep your bath full of water at all times. Consistency is the key. In the natural environment, reliable pools are rare and birds will travel distances to visit them. Remember to refresh your birdbath every couple of days, more if the bath gets a lot of sun. Don’t let the water become stale. If you’re trying to make your backyard a better place for birdlife, few things are more attractive than a well-maintained birdbath. Just add water and watch the fun.
Placement of a Birdbath
Pedestal type birdbaths do not represent a natural source of water for birds so one must put a little thought into where one should be placed. Place your birdbath near trees or shrubs if possible, and shade is always a better option than sun. A shady location slows evaporation and keeps the water cool and fresh longer.
Birds often have their heads down while they are bathing and can’t fly very well when wet so they are more vulnerable to predators. With available cover nearby, they can escape quickly if approached by a predator—and they’ll be more likely to venture into the water. A birdbath in full sun and in an open space usually equals very warm water and little or no bird activity, and more maintenance due to algae growth.
One of the best ways to make your birdbath more attractive is to provide some motion on the water’s surface. Water dripping into the basin catches the attention of birds. We carry several products that spray or agitate water. For a DIY dripper, use an old container you have and punch a tiny hole in the bottom, filling it with water, and hanging it above the birdbath so the water drips slowly down. Not only are you providing movement, but adding water as well. Sometimes when customers bring home a new birdbath they notice the birds are reluctant to visit. Try leaning a multi-stemmed branch up against the bath to offer a perch allowing the birds to investigate the new water source. I’ve had success with this simple, temporary strategy.
For the project lover, imitate a natural pool. Birds seem to prefer baths that are on or just above ground level. Dig a shallow depression in ground and use a plastic liner (available in hardware stores) with rocks and a few branches to provide a very natural looking water source. It’s a good idea to put some gravel in the bottom of the bath to enhance the natural appearance. Use a pump, or a dripper-mister product to provide movement. Give it a few days for the birds to realize it’s there then watch as more and different species begin using it with regularity. We’re sure you will add some new bird species to your yard list.
The Appeal of Moving Water
Adding the element of moving water will make your birdbath even more appealing. There are many ways to add moving water to your existing birdbath, such as drippers, misters, water wigglers.
Easy Mister: The Easy Mister attaches to your garden hose via a female hose attachment and creates a small constant water mist that birds love to fly through and sit under and bath. These misters can be mounted to your bird bath with an included S hook, and can even be attached to a large tree limb or zip tied up the side of your current shepherd’s pole with your bird feeders.
Water Wigglers: The Water Wiggler will agitate the water and help cut down on insects and make your birdbath more attractive to birds. Instead of using a fresh water source from your garden hose it runs on two D batteries and simply agitates the water causing constant water ripples. We find the water wiggler to be the most effective option when running power cord or a fresh water line to your birdbath is not a viable option.
Solar Bubblers: Last but not least, solar bubblers provide the benefits of a true pump, but with a catch. They must be in direct sunlight to work. For some folks with open yards and not much shade, this is an excellent solution. However, if your space is very sheltered with lots of shade and cover, these are not going to be an effective option for you.