If you want to attract more birds to your yard, adding a birdbath will be one of the first things you want to do. In fact, many long-time birders believe that adding a birdbath to your yard is the No. 1 way to ensure you’ll see more birds on your property. And, birdbaths will attract species of birds that bird feeders can’t, which is another bonus.
Water Isn’t Just for Drinking
Of course, birds will appreciate being able to drink the fresh, clean water you provide them in the birdbath. However, they’ll also really appreciate the water for bathing purposes. Regular bathing helps birds maintain their feathers, so the birdbath will give them the opportunity to give their feathers and skin some extra love.
What to Keep in Mind When Shopping for a Birdbath
+ You don’t want too deep of a birdbath, as that could pose a drowning danger. In most cases, the deepest you want to go is around two inches. If you have mostly small songbirds in your yard, a one-inch depth would probably be ideal.
+ The birdbath should have a dry space where the birds can perch to drink water when they don’t want to get wet. This could be as simple as a raised rim around the bath.
Making Your Own Birdbath
You can get creative and make your own birdbath using items you might already have at home. My favorite DIY birdbath is this one: Audubon Society, “How to Make a Birdbath”.
Cleaning & Maintaining Your Birdbath
It’s important to regularly clean the birdbath and change out the water frequently. This will help keep the birds healthy. According to the Audubon Society, it’s best to clean birdbaths with nine parts water and one part vinegar.
Adding a Water Feature to Your Birdbath
Moving water can attract even more birds, so you might want to consider adding a solar fountain or some feature like that to your birdbath. Additionally, many water features can help keep the water fresher longer.
Other Ways to Attract More Birds to Your Yard
Check out my blog post Tips for Attracting More Birds to Your Yard for more suggestions. (These tips are helpful no matter where you live!)
Get in Touch
Have questions or comments? Feel free to comment below or email me at emilykeenphotography@gmail.com.
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