Bird Baths
Enhancing Bird Gardens

Enhancing bird gardens with bird baths has a long-standing tradition. Setting out a water bath in a yard to serve as a lawn ornament is a centuries old practice.

A bathing venue for wild birds serves not only for aesthetic enrichment to a yard, but adds great entertainment value too.

Attractive cement water bath.

In the last few decades interest in attracting backyard birds as a hobby has blossomed. Many people have become aware of the pleasures derived from this wonderful hobby.

It is being discovered that a place for wild birds to bathe serves as an advertisement, announcing that birds of all species are welcome to take a “dip” or a drink.

Why Wild Birds Need Water

There are many reasons why wild birds need water. Some reasons are obvious and others are not:

• They need it for drinking all year to keep them from dehydrating, and it is especially important in the hot summer months.

• Wild birds need water to digest the food they eat.

• Bathing is important for birds to keep clean and

• to kill parasites.

• Wild birds require water to groom their feathers. After all keeping feathers in top condition is paramount to the well being of wild birds for flight. They spend a great deal of time keeping them in pristine condition.

• It is obvious to anyone who is watching birds bathe, that they appear to be enjoying this activity immensely. “Frolicking” or “playing” seem to be the words often used to describe birds in water.

• Wild birds will also use this water for making mud to build their nests in the spring.

• Some people believe bathing gives birds relief when they are molting.

Behaviour at Bird Baths

Different bird species bathe with different styles.

A Robin enjoying a bath.

• Some stand in the water and slowly begin testing the water by dunking body parts in, one at a time. Then flap their wings to splash themselves all over.

• Some birds merely skip through the bath.

• Others such as the Hummingbird like to skim over the water. But if a mister or dripper is available then they can enjoy what they like best and that is to swoop through the falling water. Hummingbirds are not the only ones who enjoy misters; butterflies, dragonflies and other important bugs like to bath on the wing too!

• Like human Mother’s and Father’s, parent birds like to “bath” their baby birds. Parent birds will bring their juveniles to a water bath. Watching a family of wild birds at your water bath is a special treat to witness for bird watchers.

• Many species will also just simply drop in to have a quick drink and be off.

And as with all swimming “pools” there is a pecking order and line ups. Some are patient while they wait their turn and others resort to bullying!

Where to Place the Bath in Your Bird Garden

• Where it can be seen by the bird watchers.

• They can be hung, free standing on a pedestal, flat on the ground or attached to a deck rail or fence.

• It is also important to note that wild birds do prefer baths which are close to the ground.

• Place your bath close to cover, about 6 to 10 feet from bushes or trees for the bathers to take refuge from predators if needed. The foliage used for cover will also provide a place for birds to perch while they wait their turn in the bath and a place to dry off their plumage after their bath. (Thorny bushes offer added protection, particularly helpful to prevent house cat attacks.)

• If one bath seems to be over crowded, then add another, not too far away. Providing 2 or 3 will reduce wait times for the wild birds and give the bird watcher increased enjoyment.

• Provide some distance between the bath and bird feeders for a more relaxed atmosphere in your bird garden. This will keep the bath water from being dirtied by bird seed and shells too.

• If aerial predators are a problem then place your bath under cover such as a tree or canopy. Under a tree will cause the bath water to get dirty faster but may save the lives of the wild birds you are attracting to your yard.

• If cats are a threat then put a fence made of chicken wire around the bathing area.

• In the summer months keep your bath water in the shade if possible. This will help it not to over heat.

  Drying off.

  A bird bath in the sun can be a hot bed of bacterial growth. Conversely in the winter, placing bird baths in the sun will assist the heater in keeping the water free of ice.

Bird Baths in a bird garden are like peanut butter and jelly (or jam). One is still good without the other but both are greatly enhanced when partnered together.

More Vital Info on Bird Bathing

Enhancing Bird Gardens with Baths

A Bird Guide to Baths: Care and Cleaning

Heated Bird Bath Provide Four Season Bathing

Water Baths and Other Bird Bathing Habits

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