Tips to Make Your Birdbath Better

All birds need water to drink, bathe, and preen, and adding even a simple bird bath to your yard can be helpful. Here are eight simple ways you can improve your birdbath.

 1. Keep It Clean: Dirty water is not as attractive as fresh, clean water. Clean and disinfect your birdbath with a solution of nine parts water and one part bleach every few days, and remove any leaves, feathers, or other debris daily to keep the water clean as long as possible.

2. Get a Grip: Birds need a rough surface to feel secure when perching to drink from a birdbath. If your birdbath is smooth and does not provide that type of grip, add several perches along the edge to make it easier for birds to use.

3. Move Along: Moving water is better than stagnant water, and birds will see the reflections of the moving water and hear the splashes from a great distance, attracting more friends to the water source. Add a dripper or wiggler to your existing bird bath, or investigate birdbaths with built in bubblers or fountains.

4. Rock the Bath: Adding a few medium-sized rocks to the birdbath will vary the water depth so smaller birds can feel more comfortable. Choose rocks that can also provide a grip for the birds and that are tall enough to poke out of the water to create extra perches.

5. Take It Up (or Down) a Level: Birdbaths with multiple levels can cater to more thirsty birds. Adding a saucer or extra dish on the ground at the base of a bird bath can be especially effective to let ground-feeding birds and larger species enjoy the water source.

6. Stick It Out in All Seasons: Birds need water year round, no matter what the weather or temperature. Investigate a heated birdbath for winter use, and place birdbaths in the shade during the summer to keep them cool and fresh longer.

7. Be Perfect With Perches: Adding nearby perches gives bathing birds a place to preen and dry off after using the bath, and thirsty birds may use perches while waiting their turn to drink. Plant bird-friendly landscaping near the birdbath with trees and bushes for perching, or use garden hooks and other decorations for instant perches.




8. Fill 'Er Up: Always keep a birdbath filled, even if it means adding a cup or two of water to the bath daily in the hottest weather. Birdbaths lose a lot of water to evaporation, and a bathing bird can splash a lot of water out of the basin. If the bath isn't filled, it isn't much use to the birds.

- Article courtesy of Melissa Mayntz, www.agway.com