Birds need water to drink as well as food
to eat. In many cases, a birdbath or pool
can attract a greater variety of birds than
any food.
Where you locate your bird bath
is important.
Some fast fliers, like swifts
and swallows,
dip into water while flying.
They need a
pool of water in open terrain.
Woodland birds,
like thrushes and towhees, are
cautious about
coming into the open, and prefer
water close
to vegetation in which they can
take cover.
Most birds that visit gardens
prefer a water
source between these extremes:
far enough
from vegetation to prevent a
surprise attack
yet close enough to offer refuge.
These birds
will perch in a nearby tree,
then come to
the water source after determining
that conditions
are safe.
The edges of the basin should
slope gradually
and should be at least 12 inches
in diameter
(the ideal diameter is 24 to
36 inches, which
should encourage communal bathing,
since
any bath or pool under 18 inches
across usually
attracts only one bird at a time).
By all
means, avoid moving, shiny parts
that can
alarm birds.
The classic style bird bath is
a basin on
a pedestal that is about 3 feet
high. Be
sure that the basin is firmly
anchored to
the pedestal. Other birdbaths
are designed
to hang by chains from a balcony,
eave or
wall bracket. Some small ones
attach to a
window with suction cups. Others
are simple
dishes that you lay on the ground,
windowsill
or deck.
If your birdbath is also a lawn
ornament,
be sure to choose the right material:
- Avoid terra cotta or ceramic if you have
cold winters. It tends to crack.
- Concrete is more resistant to freezing and
cracking than plain cement and the texture
of concrete gives birds a good foothold.
- Plastic and metal are lightweight, durable
and unaffected by cold, but they must be
textured to give the birds a firm grip; also,
painted metal chips, flakes, and needs repainting.
- Wood is difficult to clean and has a shorter
useful life than other materials; however,
birds really like wood and it can have a
very appealing look.
Creating a small garden pool is another option.
Set the basin of a concrete birdbath in the
soil, or a plastic or fiberglass pool.
Since the sound of gently moving
water is
very attractive to birds, hang
a dripping
hose or a bucket with a hole
in it above
a birdbath. Mists and fine sprays
also draw
birds, and fountains and simple
waterfalls
are other decorative elements
that birds
like. |
