How to Use Water to Attract Birds to Your Yard

One of the most effective and least expensive ways to attract wild birds to your yard is to make sure they have water for bathing and drinking. Lots of people who love watching birds, however, will put up feeders but neglect this simple method of attracting them. Water is important, and it’s frequently harder to find than food, especially during the droughts experienced in many parts of the country.

A bird bath will lure all kinds of birds, not just the seed eaters that come to your feeders. There are many wonderful, colorful birds that only rarely visit feeders but are very likely to make use of your bird bath: robins, cedar waxwings, orioles, brown thrashers, bluebirds, bobwhites, and indigo buntings.

Baths for birds come in all shapes and sizes, and don’t have to be expensive; the six to twelve inch pottery saucers you use under potted plants will work just fine. You can place them directly on the ground, or on your patio or deck. If yard space is hard to find, there are basins that can be mounted directly to your deck rail. If you have a handy tree limb, or an eave overhanging your deck, there are many bird baths that can be suspended. Mounting a basin on a pedestal creates an attractive centerpiece in a garden setting.

Several important things to keep in mind:

Make sure there is at least two feet of open space around the bath, with trees or bushes nearby for perching and preening. Pedestal types are best for any area where there are cats as birds can’t fly as well with heavy, wet feathers. Also, the birds are so happily involved in bathing activities, they’re not as alert. Keep the bath within easy reach of your garden hose, as you’ll need to keep it refreshed with clean water every day or two to avoid contamination and mosquitoes. It must be shallow – a gradual slope and no more than 2-3” deep at the deepest point. If the one you have already is too deep, add some rocks to raise the bottom. It should have a rough bottom surface for good footing. If yours is too slippery, add some of those non-skid stickers, like those that are made for your bathtub. Keep the bird bath open year-round with a de-icer, as birds need water in winter also. Maintaining a clean bath is extremely important. Once in awhile, you’ll have to clean out any algae by scrubbing with a stiff brush. Never use chemicals or common dish soap –a weak bleach solution with ¾ cup of Clorox to 1 gallon of water will work fine, or use a bird-safe birdbath cleaner. Rinse very thoroughly before refilling with clean water.

Movement of water enhances the appeal of the bird bath – a water wiggler is a fairly inexpensive way to create that movement.  Fountains can be expensive, but will certainly add to the attraction. Solar pumps are available that can be used in your birdbath or pond. Keep in mind that all it takes is one drip per second to provide a sound that is considered irresistible and may attract more birds than would ordinarily come. You can arrange this at no cost using your garden hose. Hummingbirds particularly love flying through a mister.

You’ll find that birds all have a different approach to bathing and drinking, but there is no mistaking how much they enjoy it. Watching them at your birdbath can be endlessly entertaining and amusing.