Simple Tips And Tricks To Attract More Birds To Your Birdbath

There's nothing more joyful than watching a family of birds as they playfully splash around a birdbath while singing a sweet tune. If you've erected a birdbath in the hopes of admiring the feathery creatures from a nearby window, you'll quickly discover that simply having a birdbath isn't enough to ensure your space is filled with these charming warm-blooded songsters. In order to turn your property into a popular birding hotspot, there are a few tips and tricks you'll need to implement.

For starters, one of the most important factors in attracting birds to a birdbath is choosing the right location. Placing the bath in a shaded area helps keep the water cool and fresh while also providing birds with protection from predators. During winter, a heated birdbath ensures birds have access to water when natural sources freeze over. Additionally, surrounding the birdbath with colorful flowers that birds are known to love can make the space irresistible to the tiny animals. By incorporating some simple strategies, bird enthusiasts can create a welcoming oasis that will keep their yard filled with a variety of bird species throughout the year.

Attracting birds to a birdbath begins with choosing the right model to meet their needs. Birds do best with a birdbath that has a shallow basin, holding water that's no more than 2 inches deep. Additionally, look for birdbaths that have a slightly rough surface, such as terra cotta or concrete, as this makes perching easier. You'll find birdbaths come in two types: pedestal and ground level. Both options work well as long as you follow the above-mentioned guidelines.

Whether you place the birdbath at ground level or up high on a pedestal depends upon the type of bird you are trying to attract. Above-ground birdbaths are best for enticing house finches, black-capped chickadees, and tufted titmouse species. There are pros and cons when it comes to ground birdbaths. While they draw a more unique variety of birds, they are also easily accessible by neighborhood cats, so you'll want to take this into consideration if felines often roam free in your community.

Placing a birdbath in an ideal location is just as important as choosing the right design. Birds are more likely to visit a birdbath that feels safe as well as one that offers relief from the hot summer temperatures. A shaded area can help to keep your birdbath cool in the summer heat, while also providing cover from predators. If you don't already have a spot that features a tree canopy or a tall bush nearby, you can take steps to make the area more appealing to the birds.

Choose a location in your yard that has enough space to plant a tree or a few tall shrubs to give the birds the shade they seek. Birch, elm, and maple trees or blueberry, holly, and native honeysuckle shrubs  are all known for being popular among a wide variety of bird species. They also double as a food source, which is an added bonus. Once you've added the shade, you can erect the birdbath. Note: If space is an issue, you can provide shade with a patio umbrella or a garden trellis.

Simply setting up the birdbath and filling it with water aren't enough to keep birds coming back again and again. These feathery wonders rely on clean water for drinking and bathing. After a few days, the water in your birdbath will likely be plagued with leaves and debris. Algae may even begin to form. Cleaning the basin regularly will ensure a hygienic birdbath that birds will be all too happy to frequent.

Every one to two days, you'll want to dump out the water in the basin, give it a good rinse, and replace it with fresh water from your garden hose. It's also recommended that you schedule time once a week to thoroughly scrub the birdbath to remove any algae growth. It's essential that a non-toxic cleaner be used to wash the birdbath and that the basin be rinsed out completely before new water is added. You can create your own birdbath cleaner using one part vinegar to every nine parts of water. Cleaning ingredients you should avoid using on your birdbath include chemical household cleaners and essential oils, as residue from these liquids may stick to the basin and leach into the water.

Not only are birds naturally drawn to the sound of running water, but creating a steady flow of water is also the best way to keep the contents of your birdbath fresh. Water that is allowed to go stagnant is less appealing to birds. Plus, it provides the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. If your birdbath wasn't designed with a built-in fountain feature, there are several accessories you can choose from, including bubblers, misters, and waterfalls, that will create a moving stream within your basin.

Which type of water feature you add to your birdbath is based on preference. You'll find solar-powered fountains are sold for as little as $10 (such as this Autga Floating Solar Powered Water Fountain Pump from Amazon), while water circulators like the API Bird Bath Water Wiggler that run on a pair of D batteries cost around $30. Both of these models are easy to install, as you simply set them in the center of your basin. Another option is to keep the water moving using a dripping or misting water feature. You can also get something like the Mister Landscaper Bird Bath Dripper Kit for around $18. It is designed to hook up to a drip irrigation system, but you can also purchase a ¼-inch faucet adapter to attach it to an outdoor faucet.

In addition to having trees and shrubs, you'll also want to surround your birdbath with colorful flowers. Not only are the bright colors and sweet scents attractive to birds, but many flowers also produce seeds or nectar that supply these tiny creatures with a delicious meal. Depending on the type of flower, insects may also be drawn to the vegetation, providing the birds with yet another food source.

Annuals like sunflowers, zinnias, or black-eyed Susans, and perennials like mums, purple coneflowers, or columbines can be a food source for a range of bird species. When it comes to enticing hummingbirds to pay a visit, consider planting salvia or red trumpet-shaped flowers. As you maintain your flower garden, you'll also need to avoid the use of chemical pesticides. This will not only decrease the amount of insects that birds have available to them as food, but it could also harm any birds that end up consuming contaminated insects.

If you're looking to attract birds year-round, you'll need to add a submersible heater to your birdbath once temperatures begin to drop. This keeps the water in the basin from freezing over, providing the birds with a safe place to grab a drink and wash their feathers. Since fresh water sources will be scarcer in areas that experience freezing temperatures, it's more likely that your yard will become a dependable stop for a variety of birds.

When choosing a submersible heater, make sure it is listed for use in a birdbath and that it features a cord that is long enough to reach your nearest electrical outlet. The ikuchelife Birdbath Heater from Amazon comes with a 10.8-foot cable and, like most birdbath heaters, will automatically turn on and off to keep the birdbath's water at a consistent temperature, thanks to an inbuilt thermostat.

Tip: A submersible heater isn't the only clever way to keep your birdbath from freezing in the winter. You can also add a floater, such as a tennis ball, to the basin. As the floater moves around the water, it slows down the freezing process and breaks up any ice that begins to form. You can also take steps to insulate the underside, or opt for a birdbath in a dark color like black or slate gray so it will absorb more heat from the sun. Speaking of sun, if your birdbath still receives shade in winter (perhaps it's under an evergreen tree), you might want to move it into a sunny location during the colder months.

There are several reasons why you should consider adding rocks to your birdbath. Rocks give smaller birds a place to perch within the birdbath so they can safely get a drink and clean their feathers. Additionally, rocks help to prevent drowning for both large and small birds. The best part about this tip is that rocks are often readily available for free. If you don't have any in your yard, you'll find them near riverbanks, along the shores of lakes and beaches, and across many hiking trails.

As you hunt for rocks to add to your birdbath, consider selecting them in a variety of sizes. This way, the birdbath will appeal to birds of all heights. Don't forget to examine the surface of the rocks. Rough rocks are more ideal, as they are less slippery than smooth stones and will give the birds more secure footing. Once you have a collection of rocks for your basin, create a strategic plan for their placement. For example, you may want to feature larger rocks toward the edge of the birdbath and then add medium rocks with the smallest stones resting in the center of the basin. This option allows hesitant birds to start off wading in the water on the larger rocks and then move closer to the center ones where they can bathe more easily. Note: When you clean the basin each week, it's just as important to clean the rocks. Rocks are also susceptible to things like algae growth.

Water isn't a bird's only basic need. These delightful creatures also require food and shelter. By placing a nesting box and a birdfeeder near your birdbath, you'll create a welcoming setup that not only attracts birds but also keeps them enjoying your yard for an extended period of time. Additionally, the nesting box encourages birds to lay eggs, giving you the opportunity to see new life emerge in the spring.

Now that you know why you need a feeder to go with your birdbath, here's how to figure out the best placement. Setting a feeder at least 10 feet away from the birdbath is ideal, as this keeps the food from ending up in the water basin. It's also best not to place the feeder farther than 30 feet away, as you want it to be easily accessible once the birds have finished bathing. As for the nesting boxes, a distance of 15 feet from the birdfeeder is recommended. If the nesting box is too close to the birdfeeder, the dining birds may disrupt the nesting birds. Consider adding multiple nesting boxes, as each box only accommodates one bird family. Tip: During your weekly birdbath cleaning, take a moment to refill the feeder with seeds and check to see whether the nesting box needs fresh materials.

In addition to a birdfeeder and a nesting box, you can add a perch to the side of your birdbath to make the watering spot more desirable to birds. Not only is an additional spot to rest always a plus for birds, but it also offers hesitant species a place to sit while they check out their surroundings. As the birds begin to feel more comfortable, they are able to easily make their way to the water for a cool drink.

Creating the perfect perch to encourage more backyard birds to visit is quite simple. Amazon sells these Neeenn Adjustable Perch Stands that clamp right on the rim of birdbaths. The perch can be raised from 16 to 24 inches and then positioned straight up and down or at an angle. The perch is made from dried pepperwood, so it has that textured surface that birds prefer. Alternatively, you can DIY a perch by driving a pole into the ground or hanging something like a piece of driftwood with twine from a tree, roof overhang, or shepherds hook. Don't forget to clean dirt and bird droppings from the perch regularly to keep your backyard oasis clean, sanitary, and attractive for your feathery friends.