Bird Bath Facts and Information

Here's All You Need To Know...

By Richard Worden


Birds are some of the most beautiful creatures to roam this earth, they come in various colors and sizes, and their song is enough to make any day better. By providing a bird bath in your garden, you can attract some fantastic feathered friends and help them with a much-needed resource for their survival and happiness. This bird bath facts and information page will tell you all you need to know to get started.

Bird baths provide birds with water and will attract different species of birds to your garden. You can make a bird bath from various materials, such as concrete, plastic, and glass. A bird bath should not be deeper than 2 inches (5.08 cm) and should offer a perch.

The rest of this article will discuss all the facts and information you need to know to set up a bird bath in your garden. So, if you want to attract more birds and help your feathered friends, this article is for you. Let’s get started!

What Is a Bird Bath?

Whether you are a bird enthusiast or only recently discovered your love for these fantastic creatures, you might wonder how you can attract more birds to your garden and if it is possible to help these animals thrive. You definitely can help by providing them with a bird bath. 

If, for whatever reason, you don’t know what a bird bath is, don’t despair; we have you covered.

A bird bath can be anything from a small pond to a water-filled basin. The most common bird baths are usually shallow basins balanced on a pedestal. The aim is to supply wild birds with much-needed water for bathing and drinking. Bird baths can be purchased or even carved out of rocks.

Many birds will come to your garden for a drink or clean their beautiful wings if placed in the correct location. There are, however, many different types of bird baths and things you need to know before deciding on the right one for you and your garden.

Do Birds Need Baths?

Like humans and all other living creatures, birds depend on water for survival. In the wild, birds shower when it rains or uses water from streams, rivers, and ponds, but sometimes there is a drought, and water is hard to come by. 

Bird baths are essential for a bird's well-being. Birds will use the water to groom their feathers and hydrate their skin. They will also drink from a bird bath and use it to cool down on a hot summer day. Clean feathers help a bird become a more agile flier, protecting them from predators.

Fun Fact: Birds rely heavily on their feathers, and with the sun's heat, mites, and bacteria, their feathers can easily get worn and damaged. Birds’ feather’s only get replaced once or twice a year, so grooming is essential to maintain them.

What Makes a Good Bird Bath?

You can build your bird bath or buy one from a shop or even online, but before you do, one fundamental question needs answering: What makes a good bird bath?

A bird bath shouldn’t be any deeper than 2 inches (5.08 cm) in the center and shallower towards the edges. Birds need a safe place to perch, whether on the basin side, on rocks, or on an island. It would be best to build the bath from a material the birds can easily hold onto with their claws.

Placing your bird bath in an open area on a pedestal will also help to create a safe place for birds to enjoy their bath. An elevated bath with a clear view of the surrounding area allows birds to feel more at ease as predators are less likely to attack, and if they do, they can see them and make a getaway.

What Kind of Bird Baths Do Birds Like?

When birds bathe, they are vulnerable, so the most crucial factor in adding a bird bath to your garden is ensuring the birds feel safe using it. However, many other elements will make one bird bath more popular with birds than another.

Birds enjoy brightly colored bird baths that provide accessible areas to perch on. They also enjoy baths with clean, fresh water elevated from the ground. Birds will avoid baths that are too deep and choose shallow receptacles to bathe.

You can get this stunning Alpine Corporation TEC114 Antique Flower Birdbath (available from Amazon.com) which will be a hit with all the birds.

It is an elevated bird bath with a shallow bowl and enough perching space so birds will feel safe to use it. The bath has an antique look that will add a charming element to your garden, and its polypropylene construction won’t rust or get damaged by the weather. Bird bath facts and information

Do Birds Like Moving Water Bird Baths?

Moving water is always much healthier than stagnant water, and who doesn’t enjoy a beautiful fountain or refreshing sprayer on a hot day?

Birds, like most animals, like moving water and will enjoy a moving water bath. Moving water might attract them more than stagnant water, even if clean. Misters or drippers will ensure your bird bath is popular among all species.

Having a moving water bath will also make maintenance easier. Moving water stays cleaner for longer, and mosquitos won’t breed in it.
bird bath facts and information

Do Birds Like Heated Bird Baths?

Many want to make their feathered friends happy but are unsure what temperature water birds prefer. Which leads us to the question: Do birds like heated bird baths?

Birds appreciate heated bird baths, but they do not necessarily like them. In the summer, birds want cold water to cool down in, and in the winter, they need a source of water to quench their thirst.

You don't need a heated bird bath if you live in a relatively hot area where temperatures don’t go below zero.

Heated bird baths should keep water from freezing in the winter. Birds will use the bird bath for drinking water but will not bathe in freezing temperatures, even if the water is warm. 

If, however, you are worried that they might take a bath and the cold temperatures will cause them to freeze to death or freeze their wings together, there are some safety precautions you can take, namely:

  • Adding stones - You can place small rocks and stones at the bottom of your bird bath, so the water is too shallow to immerse themselves.
  • Removing the island - If you have a deep bird bath with an island in the center for them to perch on, you can remove the island to discourage bathing. They will still be able to sit on the side to have a drink.
  • Covering the bath - You can provide a cover for the entire bath, leaving only a shallow area open for the birds to drink from comfortably.

You can get a heated bird bath like this GESAIL Bird Habitat (available on Amazon.com). It is a vibrant blue, so it will help to attract birds, and it has a built-in heating element, so it is safe to use. A thermostat controls the heater, so it will only switch on when necessary, saving you electricity while stopping the water from freezing.

Should a Bird Bath Be in the Sun or Shade?

Where you place your bird bath is ultimately up to you and the layout of your garden. Birds will use the bird bath, whether it is in the sun or the shade.

Placing a bird bath in the shade is better than putting it in the sun. The water will stay cooler for longer and won’t evaporate as fast. A bird bath in the shade will also remain cleaner as algae growth will occur much quicker in direct sunlight.

What To Put in Bird Bath Water?

If you just got a new bird bath, you may want to add accessories to it, or you might be wondering if there is anything you can add to the water.

Do not put anything in the water in your bird bath. You can add stones for the birds to perch on but never add chemicals. Only fill the basin with fresh water, which you should change daily.

Some people inadvisedly add sugar to the water in their bird baths; please do not do this, as it is unhealthy for birds. Bird bath facts and information

How Deep Should A Bird Bath Be?

You might think a bird bath should be deep, but most garden birds do not need a lot of water to bathe properly. Birds do not submerge themselves completely when bathing, and a shallow pool work just fine.

The ideal depth is 2 inches (5.08 cm). A bird bath should be shallow around the edges and deeper in the center. The incline should be gradual to ensure the safety of the birds.

If you have a bird bath deeper than 2 inches (5.08 cm), you can still use it, but you must add some rock or an island for the birds to perch. If a bird bath is too deep and there is no proper place for the birds to perch securely, they might be discouraged from using it, or even worse, try to use it and drown.

How Long Does It Take Birds To Notice a Bird Bath?

If you recently added a bird bath to your garden, you might wonder how long it will take before birds start using it.

There is no set time on how long it will take birds to notice a bird bath. If you place it near a feeder that birds visit regularly, birds will see it much faster. Adding a fountain will also help birds find it more quickly, as the sound of running water will attract them.

How To Attract Birds to a Bird Bath

So you have a beautiful garden, bought a bird bath, and now you sit waiting, but nothing is happening. Don’t worry; birds will come, but first, they need to figure out that there is a bath.

Adding a fountain or mister can attract birds to a bird bath. Moving water will attract more attention. You can also add a bird feeder or paint your bird bath bright colors to attract more birds.

Fun Fact: Birds will be more attracted to a bird bath the same color as their plumage or the color of the flowers they like. To attract Bluejays, you can paint your bird bath blue. If you want Hummingbirds to drink from your bird bath, a nice splash of red or pink will attract them.  Bird bath facts and information

What Kind of Bird Bath Is Best?

The type of bird bath you get is up to you. You might want to build your own or use a simple plastic dish, but not all bird baths are equal.

Elevated bird baths are best, usually made from a basin set on a pedestal. Providing adequate perching space and ensuring the basin isn’t too deep is also essential.

You can make bird baths can from a variety of materials, including:

  • Concrete
  • Glass
  • Metal
  • Rock
  • Plastic
  • Glazed terra cotta
  • Marble
  • Mosaic tiles

The material of the bird bath isn’t as important as the functionality, though. A bird bath can be beautiful, but if the water isn’t easily accessible and there isn’t a place for the birds to perch, you won’t see many birds using it.

Bird Baths That Birds Actually Use

Birds need water, and if you are willing to provide it, they will surely come to your garden for a bath or a drink.

Birds will use almost any bird bath you offer them if you keep it filled with clean, fresh water. Birds are also much more likely to frequent your bird bath if it is in a safe area and they feel at ease using it. bird bath facts and information

Bird Bath Maintenance

Keeping your bird bath clean is vital, so you must do regular maintenance. Drinking dirty or contaminated water can have serious health risks for birds. Using commercially available non-toxic cleaning materials to clean your bird bath is best. Do not use any harsh chemicals.

Make sure your bird bath is free of these contaminants:

  • Fungi
  • Mosquito larvae
  • Excrement
  • Algae

Adding a pump or fountain can help maintain a healthy bird bath, as moving water is less likely to get contaminated.

Bird Bath Facts And Information...Conclusion

Adding a bird bath to your garden attracts many birds, especially if you place it near a feeder. 

Birds like bright colors and running water, so consider getting a bright bird bath and adding a fountain. But don’t forget that the bird also needs to be safe while using it, so place it on a pedestal in an open area and ensure it isn’t too deep.

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About Me


About the Author...
Richard Worden, a dedicated bird lover for over 20 years, I love to share my in-depth knowledge and passion for birds. Read more About Me and my expertise in this field.

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