Top Ten Factors to Consider when Selecting the Perfect Bird Bath

Birdbaths4u.com strives to provide up-to-date information about bird baths and about attracting birds to your yard.  Our informative articles and helpful tips give you tools to make the right selection.  Bird baths come in a variety of materials, including metal, stone, concrete, pottery and more.  There are pedestal bird baths and hanging bird baths, and hundreds of varieties in between.  Consider the following top ten factors to select your perfect bird bath.

1) What is your gardening or yard style?
Is your garden formal or whimsical?  Is it strewn with children’s toys, or a quiet oasis of tranquility?  Back yards with kids running around, playing catch, benefit most from sturdy, concrete bird baths.  Copper, sculptural bird baths are right at home in formal garden settings.

2) Which birds do you hope to attract?
Birds are drawn to the sound of dripping water.  To attract the widest variety of birds, consider a flowing water fountain, or a dripping bird bath.  Solar powered bird baths are eco-friendly, and save electricity.

3) Do you want to leave your bird bath outside during the winter, or bring it in?
Birdbaths that stay outside during the winter should be heated.  Birds will come to your yard, searching for sources of fresh water.  Bird baths left outside must have flowing water, or they will freeze and crack. 

4) Do you have a lot of bird traffic, or a little bird traffic?
If you have lots of bird traffic, and hope to attract more, consider a wide bird bath.  Bird baths need only to be three inches deep; however, a wider bird bath will hold more water, and have more room for feathered friends.

5) How much time do you want to spend maintaining your bird bath?
Bird baths are important for birds not only as sources of fresh water for drinking, but also for bathing.  Feathers provide a bird’s livelihood, and must be maintained accordingly.  Bird baths need to be three inches deep, no deeper.  They should have surfaces that are not slippery so that the birds can keep their footing in the bird bath.  If you wish to have less maintenance time spent on your bird bath, purchase one that is the correct depth.   You can always add small stones or rocks to create the proper depth, but you will have to take those out and clean them.
Bird baths that have flowing or dripping water need less scrubbing and maintenance than bird baths without flowing water.  Bird baths with flowing water also have less chance of harboring mosquitoes and the diseases that they carry.

6) Where will you place your bird bath?
Bird baths that attract the most birds are placed in open, high places, away from potential predators.  Small, heated bird baths are great for placing outside a windowsill in the winter.

7) Do you enjoy watching birds from inside your house?
If so, you will want to locate your bird bath where it is easily viewed from your kitchen window, or the window where you sit and read.

8) Do you have cats or other bird predators around?
If you have cats around, a hanging bird bath, or a bird bath on a tall, skinny post, that predators cannot climb, is the best choice.

9) Will your bird bath be a focal point, or blend into a garden setting?
Bird baths that serve as focal points are more elaborate and detailed.  Lighter colored materials such as concrete or tufa will stand out against plants, while darker materials such as copper and bronze blend in—creating delightful surprises for those wandering the garden.

10) Do you want to make an investment in a bird bath that is also a long-lasting garden sculpture, or would you rather change the bird bath style frequently?
Certain materials are pricier than others.  Investing in a beautiful ceramic, hand built bird bath is worth it, if you are willing to give it the proper care, and bring it in during freezing months.  For attracting birds without a stiff price tag, consider less expensive concrete and plastic alternatives.

We hope that we have answered some of your questions about choosing a bird bath.  If you have more questions other than what we have listed in our ten factors to consider, please contact us at Becca@birdbaths4u.com .  We’ll be sure to write you back within 48 hours. Thank you for visiting!