Garden Bird Bath Selection Guide
By Rich Jay Spaulding
Garden bird baths provide a lovely finishing touch to any yard or garden, and finding the right one is easy provided you keep a few things in mind. Birds love water, and really love moving, warm water. Keeping a clean, well maintained bath in the garden year-round will ensure hours of entertainment from a variety of visiting bird species.
Most garden bird baths are made of stone, copper, steel, or glass. Stone is a bird favorite, as the rough surface provides plenty of traction for landing, bathing, and drinking. Stone baths are a little more difficult to clean, however, they can feature very intricate designs and are the most durable. Metal baths are sturdy and contemporary, and are easy to fit into the theme of your garden, but can be difficult to manage when wet feathers and debris freeze to them in the colder weather. Try to avoid baths constructed from materials that may leach chemicals into the water, such as painted plastics and treated wood.
Placement of your bath is quite easy. First, try to choose a location where pets or children aren’t likely to nose around, or get into trouble. You will want to nestle your bath near trees and
shrubs that will provide safe shelter for the birds, but not so close that bird droppings and leaves will dirty the bird bath water. Hopefully there is some light shade provided by those trees and shrubs, as you’ll want to avoid placing the bath in direct sunlight. Garden bird baths can sit on pedestals, hang from trees, or mount to deck railing.
Did we mention that birds love warm moving water? Drippers and water movers are a great way to accessorize your bath, as are water heaters. Heaters with built-in thermometers and automatic shut-off are ideal for the winter months, and drippers are fantastic for spring and summer months when hummingbirds are around.
Sound like a lot? Well, the most important thing to remember, if you forget everything here, is to take the time to ENJOY your bird bath. It’s really a fantastic addition to your garden, and with a little common sense, a garden bird bath provide you with years of entertainment.
Here are some tips on bird bath accessories and maintenance
- Air and water pumps can be used to aerate and circulate the water in your bath. Birds are especially attracted to moving water
- If you use a bird bath heater, make sure they’re plugged into a grounded outdoor GFI outlet
- Replace the water daily, especially in hot climates
- Clean your bath once a week with a generic bleach-based cleaner, or heavy-duty bath-specific cleaner
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