Birdbaths

A birdbath is an artificial puddle on a pedestal, created with a shallow, water- filled basin for bathing and drinking. A birdbath is a strong attraction for birds, and especially so during droughts. more...

A very shallow, gradually deepening birdbath that is safe from cats, kept clean, and refreshed frequently with clean water to avoid contamination and mosquitoes can attract many different species of birds. Two inches of water in the center is all that is needed for most backyard birds because they do not submerge their bodies, only dipping their wings to splash water on their backs. Elevation on a pedestal is a common safety measure, providing a clear area around the birdbath that is free of hiding locations for predators. The birdbath will attract more birds if placed where a frightened bird can fly up easily to an overhanging limb or resting place if disturbed or attacked.

Design and construction

The typical and traditional birdbath is made of molded concrete formed in two pieces, the bowl and the pedestal. The bowl has an indentation or socket in the base which allows it to fit over the pedestal. The pedestal is typically about one meter tall. Both bowl and pedestal are decorated with reliefs. The bowl may have a shell type of motif or a woodland rocky spring motif. The pedestal usually incorporates one or more design features for aesthetic reasons. However, birds also are attracted to simpler designs, even a shallow plate or pie tin placed beneath a slowly dripping water outlet will welcome birds to a garden.

Birdbaths can be made with other types of materials including glass, metal, plastics, mosaic tile, or any other material that can weather well and hold water. In addition to the standard shallow container of standing water, there are also birdbaths which use a recirculating pump with filters, possibly coupled to a water supply with an automatic valve which will keep the birdbath water cleaner and requires less day-to-day care. Some use a solar powered pump to recirculate the water. Birds love the sound of running water, and therefore fountains can be the single most important thing that will attract birds to your garden

Birdbaths often are the central feature of an overall plan for a garden setting that includes natural nectar and food plants, shrubs, trees, and feeders. They often are placed where they may be viewed through the windows of a home, school, or office. They also may be placed on a small patio, deck, or terrace which is designed carefully to provide for the safety of the birds by eliminating access by predators. Deck mounted birdbaths are popular for people that do not have much yard space or live in a building with no yard, but they do have a balcony or deck. These types of birdbaths can be mounted directly to a deck rail, thereby eliminating any floor space use.

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