Birdbaths and their importance to the welfare of backyard birds
The How and Why of Birdbaths
So, you've bought a beautiful bird feeder and carefully selected a location for it. You've bought only the best seed to fill it. You've even planted certain trees and shrubs to attract birds to your backyard. But there's a crucial element you've overlooked - WATER!
Most backyard birders don't realize how important water is for our feathered friends. First, without water birds could not survive. This is especially true in the winter months, when water is scarce. Second, water is an inexpensive way to attract a variety of species to your backyard.
Okay, you need to provide water but what's the best way? A good start is using a birdbath. It doesn't matter if it is cement or plastic either will work just fine. Birds have no preference. Of course, a small pond would work too.
There are just a few things to remember when providing water to birds. The depth of the birdbath should not be more than a few inches otherwise the birds could drown. If you can find one, choose a birdbath with a sloped incline so the birds can go as shallow or as deep as they like. You should also make sure to keep the water clean. Stagnant water can become contaminated and transmit disease. It is recommended that you clean your birdbath ever other day.
Another tip is that the sound of running water acts like a magnet for birds. They will flock to your yard if you do this. This can be accomplished in several ways. An easy way is to puncture a small hole in a plastic container, fill it with water, and hang it over the bath. You can also hook up a hose to an outside faucet to slowly drip water into the bath. Some birdbaths even come with pumps nowadays, however this may mean they may need to be plugged into an electrical outlet, which may not be convenient.
While some water is better than no water, the more sources of water the better. I recommend three sources of water. And spread them out around your backyard. You will only need one of the three to be running water for the sound effect.
If you plan on building a pond, I would recommend incorporating a small waterfall that uses a water pump to keep the water flowing. That sound of running water is sure to attract plenty of birds.
Follow these steps, and youÕre sure to be pleased with the variety of birds that flock to your backyard.
