Placing a water bath or fountain in the yard to attract visiting birds has been practiced worldwide by countless cultures.
In Japan, water is one of the three main elements of a traditional zen garden. In Mexico, you will find birdbaths made in the Talavera pottery style. There is even evidence of birdbaths in the excavated frescos of Pompeii.
It seems almost universal for human beings to enjoy watching birds in their natural habitat and to try to find ways to entice them to our outdoor spaces.
Providing birds with fresh water where they can drink and bathe is not just something that gives us entertainment or beauty, though. It also gives the birds access to water that helps them maintain their health and activity levels.
How do you decide what kind of birdbath to add to your outdoor space? You likely want something functional and useful but also beautiful. Aesthetic preferences play a part, too!
As a backyard bird hobbyist, adding a birdfeeder to your garden can be a wonderful way to invite more birds to your yard, increase the number of species you see, and enjoy more of the feathered friends that bring us so much joy!
Why Should You Add a Birdbath to Your Bird Garden?
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
A place for birds to bathe will delight birders who have previously only used feeders and colorful plants to attract birds.
Many species of wild birds like Warblers, Tanagers, and Flycatchers will rarely be seen in a garden with only bird feeders. But because all birds love and need clean water, these lovely birds are likelier to visit an outdoor space with a birdbath.
Birds need a safe, clean source of water all year, not just when temperatures are high. Providing them with water is a kindness, not just something that helps you see more bird varieties and individuals.
Why Do Wild Birds Need Water?
Wild birds need water for drinking all year to keep them from dehydrating and help them digest their food, especially in the hot summer months.
Bathing is important for birds to keep clean and to kill parasites. Wild birds also require water to groom their feathers.
After all, maintaining feathers in top condition is essential to flight. They spend a great deal of time keeping them in pristine condition.
It is evident to anyone who watches birds bathe that they appear to enjoy this activity immensely. “Frolicking” or “playing” are words often used to describe birds in the water.
Wild birds will also use this water to make mud to build their nests in the spring, and some people believe bathing gives birds relief when they are molting.
Best Bird Baths for Attracting Birds
The most important thing about choosing a bird bath is finding one that attracts birds.
Good news: most water sources are attractive to birds! I’ve even enjoyed seeing birds bathing and drinking from an old sandbox after the rain. If you put out water for birds, you’ll likely see at least a moderate increase in your backyard bird activity.
However, the very best bird baths are the ones that mimic the water features that birds encounter in nature. Birds enjoy shallow puddles of water and slow, babbling streams.
In nature, they like to have somewhere to stand at the water’s edge without worrying about falling in.
Notice that birds rarely choose swimming pools as a water source!
I recommend choosing a bird bath that imitates these natural features: shallow, with a nice sloped edge that birds can land on, and equipped with a bubbler.
What is the Best Material for My Bird Bath?
You’ll find bird baths on the market made of just about everything: ceramic, metals like bronze or copper, glass, plastic, and concrete. Is one of these materials better than another?
Pros & Cons of Plastic Bird Baths
Plastic is pretty durable and long-lasting, although it can discolor over time from sun exposure. It’s lightweight and easy to move, like when you want to store it for the cold winter months. It can become brittle and crack if you don’t store it properly.
Because they are lightweight, you will need to put extra work into securing plastic bird baths, so they don’t get knocked over by the wind, playing children, or even wildlife.
Pros & Cons of Concrete Bird Baths
Ask someone to conjure up the idea of a bird bath in their mind’s eye, and they will likely imagine a pedestal-style concrete bird bath. These traditional designs are attractive, durable, and incredibly sturdy!
Because of how heavy they are, they can be difficult to move if you want to re-position them in an outdoor space or bring them in for deep cleaning. Speaking of cleaning, you have to work to ensure that the water stays clean because the porous nature of concrete is ideal for algae growth.
Pros & Cons of Metal Bird Baths
Metal is another durable option. You can get a bird bath in copper, cast iron, or brass.
The biggest drawback to using a metal bird bath is that metal is an excellent conductor of heat. That means that under the hot summer sun, the metal basin of the bird bath will heat up quickly. Shady spots are ideal.
Not only does hot water deter birds from splashing and drinking from your bird bath, but there is a risk of birds being burned when they land on the metal bird bath!
What Color Bird Bath Attracts the Most Birds?
Did you know that the color of your bird bath can determine what kinds of birds use it?
Bright, flashy, primary colors of red, yellow, and green will attract bolder birds, whereas skittish, careful birds are more likely to prefer neutral colors that offer camouflage with their surroundings.
The one color you want to avoid is white. Most birds avoid white, perceiving it to signal danger.
Should a Bird Bath Be Placed in Sun or Shade?
This guideline is similar to the advice about colors. Shy birds that prefer to stay in the speckled shade of large trees will also prefer their bird bath to be out of direct sunlight. Bold blue jays, cardinals, robins, and orioles will be more prone to visiting your sunny bird bath spot.
Advice for Enticing Birds with Your Bird Bath
Once you have purchased the right bird bath for your yard, here are some tips that will help you keep your backyard visitors happy, hydrated, and healthy!
Birds can’t resist bird baths. They use the bird bath to wash off dirt and dust that they accumulate on their feathers. Bathing also rids them of parasites. Simply having a bird bath present will draw birds to your backyard that haven’t visited before!
The easier your bird bath is to clean, the more likely you will be to clean it! Depending on the number of birds visiting your bird bath, you may need to clean it up to 2 or 3 times per week.
Watch for algae growth, bird poop, feathers, and insects as a sign that it’s past time for a cleaning.
Use a bubbler or another device to make the water ripple and move. This little bit of motion makes it harder for algae to grow, but it also does something else! It mimics the pools and streams that birds enjoy in nature.
A gently bubbling bird bath will feel safer for many of your backyard birds.
Your bird bath should be shallow. The water should not be more than two inches deep; pay attention if rain increases the depth of your bird bath.
Adding rocks and pebbles to the bottom of your bird bath will give the birds some elevation if they find themselves in a deeper bird bath than usual.
Behavior At Bird Baths
Different bird species bathe in different styles.
Some stand in the water and slowly test it by dunking body parts in, one at a time. Then they flap their wings to splash themselves all over.
Some birds merely skip through the bath.
Others, such as the hummingbird, like to skim over the water. But if you provide a mister or dripper, they can enjoy what they like best, swooping through the falling water.
Hummingbirds are not the only ones who enjoy misters; butterflies, dragonflies, and other bugs like to bathe on the wing too!
Like human parents, parent birds like to “bathe” their babies and will bring their juveniles to a water bath. Watching a family of wild birds at your water bath is a special treat for bird watchers!
Many species will also simply drop in to have a quick drink and be off.
As with all swimming “pools,” there is a pecking order. Some are patient while they wait for their turn, and others resort to bullying.
Where To Place Bird Baths In Your Bird Garden
The best place for your bird bath is where you, as the birder, can see it!
You can go with a free-standing pedestal, a hanging design, or a bird bath that is flat on the ground.
Some wild birds prefer to bathe near the ground, while others prefer something with some more height. Some birders even choose to have a few feeders to appeal to the variety of birds in their neighborhood.
If you put your bird bath in the sun instead of the shade, don’t put it too far away from natural cover. Placing a bird bath six to ten feet away from bushes or trees will allow the birds to take refuge quickly from predators.
Nearby foliage also allows birds to wait their turn while perched nearby.
If you have a housecat that wanders outside, please take care with where you place your bird bath. There are few things crueler than setting up birds for disaster by putting a bird bath or feeder right where a cat can strike!
When a bird bath becomes too crowded, add another. Two or three bird baths in one area will reduce wait times for the birds and give you more birds to enjoy.
Don’t place the bird baths too close together. This will reduce competition for a fresh water source, which means reducing aggressive behaviors.
Aerial predators like hawks, owls, and eagles attack from above. If you have many of these birds of prey in your area, place your bird bath under trees or a canopy. You could even set the bird bath under a constructed shelter of chicken wire.
A shady area will keep the bird bath from overheating. This is especially important if you have a metal basin! In the winter months, move your bird bath into direct sunlight to prevent icing.
Our Bird Bath Picks and Reviews
Hanging Bird Baths
Cargen Hanging Bird Bath / Bird-Feeder
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This practical hanging bird bath/feeder is reasonably priced and has good durability reviews. It’s small, which makes it easy to take it down and give it a good scrub.
The stainless steel material is lightweight and can be hung just about anywhere with the included metal hook and stainless steel hanging chains.
Pros:
- Stainless steel basin
- A shallow basin that can’t get flooded
- Simple design means it can be used as a bird bath or feeder
- Very affordable
Cons:
- Heavier birds will not be able to easily land on this style of bird bath/feeder without spilling fresh water
- It’s very, very small
Dreamsoul Hanging Bird Bath / Feeder
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
I love this beautiful little hanging bird bath! It comes in two different glass designs. At only 10.5 inches in diameter, it can be hung anywhere.
It can also be used as a feeder instead of just a bird bath. The reviews are generally positive, especially because of the low price.
Pros:
- Very budget-friendly
- Beautiful appearance
- Shallow bowl
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- Needs to be filled frequently due to its small size
- Glass is less durable in the event of getting dropped or being knocked over by a strong wind
Achla Designs Bird Bath Bowl
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
I love this sturdy glass bowl. It is reinforced around the sides and has a rail mount bracket for additional mounting options.
It is more expensive than the other two hanging bird baths I’ve featured.
Pros:
- Sturdy
- Multiple mounting options
- Beautiful appearance
- The green color will attract shy, skittish birds by mimicking natural fresh water
Cons:
- More expensive than other options
Pedestal Bird Baths
YANZ Bird Bath
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This piece is stunning and will stand out in any garden! It has a spot for a potted plant at the base, and its upward curves lead to a solar bird bath light at the top of the birdbath.
That means that this pedestal birdbath serves multiple purposes. It is a planter, a birdbath, and a light feature!
Pros:
- Beautiful
- Multipurpose feature for your yard. It’s a birdbath, flower planter, and light feature
Cons:
- Quite small at only 35.5 inches tall
- Not very sturdy in the event of bad weather or even being visited by larger birds like bluejays
- Metal basins are prone to overheating
API Heated Bird Bath with Mounting Hardware
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This attractive heated bird bath is just the basin. You will need to purchase a separate base. This heated bird bath has mounting hardware to affix it to a pedestal, pole, or deck post.
Pros:
- Simple and sleek design
- Contains a protected heating element to prevent the water from icing over in cold months
Cons:
- More expensive
- If you don’t have a fencepost to mount it on, you will need to purchase a pedestal or mounting pole
Best Choice Products 28-Inch Pedestal Bird Bath
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This is a very small but classically designed pedestal bird bath made of resin. The copper color makes it look like a metal birdbath without the drawbacks of an actual copper basin of water.
The base has a fleur-de-lis design that is attractive and sturdy.
Pros:
- Attractive
- Reasonably priced
- Easy to assemble
Cons:
- Very small
Ground Bird Baths
Mumtop Bird Baths for Outdoors, Leaf Water Bath with Resin Hedgehog Decorations
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What a cute little ground-level birdbath! This leaf-shaped birdbath is made of resin and has many details, like the hedgehog figure visiting the side of the leaf.
Pros:
- Cute and unique
- Provides ground-level birds with a nice drink or bathing space
- Not expensive
Cons:
- Some reviews state that the workmanship could be better
- I have to wonder if the hedgehog may act as a decoy and scare away some potential wild birds
Wildlife World Shenstone Bird Bath and Drinker Plate
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This ground bird bath looks like it is made of stone, but it’s actually made of Polyboo, a sustainable material made from recycled plastics and clay. It’s a simple design that works great!
Pros:
- Attractive
- Easy to install, move, and clean
- Made from environmentally-friendly materials
Cons:
- Ground feeders are risky in yards where there are roaming housecats
- It’s a bit more expensive than other options
Bird Bath Cleaners & Cleaning Supplies
Sanco Bird Bath & Fountain Maintenance, 8 ounces
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
I appreciate that Sanco sells an 8-ounce size because you can test it out and see if you like it without committing to a much larger bottle of cleaner.
Sanco’s bird bath maintenance formula is safe and fast-acting.
Microbe Lift 32-Ounce Pond Bird Bath & Statuary Cleaner
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This 32-ounce cleaner is great if you have a lot of bird activity in your yard and need to clean your bird bath frequently.
Thirty-two ounces should last for quite a while, even with consistent cleaning! It is a heavy-duty cleaner that is still safe around birds, pets, and humans.
Drill Brushes
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Sometimes a little cleaning just isn’t enough. That’s when you can break out these drill brushes! You attach the brush to your electric drill and use it for high-power and high-speed scrubbing of ceramic baths, granite, and concrete.
These can also be used on more than just bird baths. I like doing a deep clean before putting away a non-heated birdbath in the winter months and again before putting out the feeder in the spring.
Drippers, Misters, Jigglers, Bubblers & Solar Panel Fountains for Attracting Wild Birds
Click here for a complete list of Misters, jigglers, bubblers, and solar panel fountains to liven up your backyard and attract different types of birds.
Enjoy More Birds by Investing in a Birdbath!
I can’t emphasize it enough: adding a bird bath to your garden will bring you hours of enjoyment throughout your week! Playful, daring, social, and interactive birds will brighten your day as they visit your birdbath to drink and bathe.
If you only have birdfeeders in your yard right now, you are missing out on the joy a birdbath can bring. Don’t just pick the first thing that jumps out at you, but take the time to choose the right birdbath for your avian friends.
Choose a durable, long-lasting birdbath that you can mount easily, take down for regular cleaning, and see from your window or favorite birdwatching spot! Most of all, have fun with this new addition to your birding toolkit!