Wild birds need a continuous supply of fresh clean water at all times of the year, for both drinking and bathing. Water is an important part of your backyard bird habitat.
Water is an important part of your backyard bird habitat.
A source of water can dramatically increase the number of wild birds you attract in your backyard. Birds that may not visit your feeding station will visit water. Just some of the many varieties of wild birds that will visit water in your backyard include : There are many ways to offer water including birdbaths, drippers, misters, shallow dishes and small ponds.
There are many ways to offer water including birdbaths...
You can offer ground level birdbaths, pedestal birdbaths or hanging birdbaths :
+ Look for a basin that can be easily cleaned and has a gentle slope so birds can wade into the water. The bowl should be no more than 1 to 3" deep. Anything deeper, and birds will avoid it.
+ To accommodate more than one bird at a time, the diameter should be at least two feet.
+ Make sure the bottom surface is rough to allow for solid footing, or place small rocks in the bottom to create different depth levels for birds to perch on.
+ Your water source will be more obvious to birds if the inside of the bath is a dark color. Tests have shown that water in a dark container is used more often. Reflections from the water are much more noticeable to birds.
+ Keep your birdbath at least 15 feet from your other feeding areas.
+ Water is especially critical for birds in the winter when most water is frozen and covered with snow. Consider adding a heated bird bath or bird bath heater. Birds will reward you with many more visits to your backyard in the wintertime.
+ Add a dripper or mister accessory to keep the water fresh. The noise and movement these accessories create draw birds like a magnet!
+ Birds can't fly well when they're wet. Place the water source near shrubs or trees for quick escape from predators. Having perching space nearby makes it convenient for birds to sit and preen after bathing.
+ Clean water is a must. Algae, mud or droppings can quickly make the water unappealing. Keep the water fresh: replace every 2-3 days.
+ Clean your bird bath with a stiff brush and a solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water. We like to let ours sit in the full sun for awhile after cleaning to help bleach out the dark spots.
+ If keeping your birdbath clean and clear is a problem, we have a new enzyme based, non-toxic water additive.
A Starling baths while sparrows heckle
Birds are attracted to the sound of dripping or running water. The ripples and noise caused by these water accessories help birds to recognize the water as they fly overhead. Adding this type of action to your water helps to attract more birds into your yard.
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