Downsides No One Tells You About Bird Bath Heaters

There are different types of heated bird baths, but what they all have in common is that they keep water sources from freezing in the winter so that birds have a place to drink. Heaters, when working properly, also keep bird baths from cracking when the water in them freezes and expands. These benefits are big selling points for bird lovers and landscaping enthusiasts, but there are disadvantages that you should know about before making the investment.

Bird bath heaters can pose a freezing risk to birds that actually try to bathe in winter (but not to those who stop by for a refreshing drink). Another downside is that a heated bird bath can electrocute visiting birds if you have not installed it properly. Here's how to avoid these unfortunate outcomes so that your bird bath becomes an avian respite, and not a death trap, during chilly winters.

In winter, birds should only be allowed to drink from a bird bath — not to bathe in one. The reason birds shouldn't submerge themselves in the water has to do with the drying time and the temperature of the surrounding air. Birdwatchers have reported seeing birds fall to the ground after leaving these well-intentioned watering holes as the water on their wings refreezes in the cold air. Some birds have been carried to safety, given a chance to warm up, and released back into the wild, but not all are so lucky. Partially covering the bath so that birds can fit their beaks but not their bodies into the water is the best way to remedy this issue without cutting off the supply altogether. Placing a few evergreen tree branches on top of the bird bath could do the trick. 

Reducing the risk of electrocution with a heated bird bath starts during installation. These devices should only be connected to outlets with Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) receptacles. GFCI receptacles shut off in a fraction of a second when electricity starts to flow in a way that it shouldn't. Without this feature, the electrical current can flow through the water and directly to your thirsty friends. If you don't have a GFCI outdoors, you need to consult an electrician about having one installed. Alternatively, you may have to nix the heating element and put a tennis ball in your bird bath this winter to prevent freezing instead.