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Your neighborhood birds will appreciate being able to take a dip in these avian-friendly basins.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Birds need a dependable supply of fresh, clean water for drinking and bathing, Grant explains.
Putting a birdbath in your yard may alsoattract bird speciesthat dont eat seeds and wouldnt otherwise cometo your feederarea.
On top of that, birds may rely on water fornesting purposes.
Credit: Amazon
As youre shopping around for a bird bath, keep in mind that birds like sloped sides.
A bird bath should have a gentle slope to allow birds to wade into the water, Grant says.
In general, we recommend using bird baths that are easy to clean, Grant tells us.
Credit: Amazon
Grant says that concrete bird baths tend to be more decorative than practical.
Theyre often too deep…also,concrete may crackif the temperature drops below freezing.
For most cases, plastic is the best material for bird baths.
Credit: The Audubon Shop
A more important consideration is thedepthof a bird bath.
If its too deep, birds likely wont be interested since they prefer to wade rather than swim.
Be mindful about what you use to clean your bird batha super potent chemical disinfectant isnt necessary.
Credit: Amazon
During hot months place your birdbathin the shadeif possible, Grant says.
Having trees nearby will also provide branches on which birds can preen after bathing.
While birds are bathing, they are vulnerable to predators, especially to cats, Grant says.
She also urges cat owners to keep their felines indoors to help protect the avian population.
Its only available in one color.
TheErva ground-level bird bathis our top choice for a bird bath for several reasons.
With a depth of 1.25 inches, the basin is shallow enough for birds to splash around in.
The copper will develop a natural patina over time.
Copper is known for its naturally antimicrobial properties and distinctive look.
TheGood Directions copper basinis a ground-level bird bath with an ornamental design and practical features for birds.
Youll need to place it within reach of an outdoor power outlet to use the heating element.
If you live in a location with brutally cold winters, your birds will appreciate thisheated bird bath.
This is only a fountainit does not include a bird bath.
Unlike other fountains, this one comes with four rods that can be cut to fit your specific basin.
Your Questions, Answered
How much should I expect to spend on a bird bath?
Many bird baths are fairly affordable at less than $50.
Baths that have more features, such as a fountain or heating element, will generally cost more.
Do birds prefer bird baths on the ground or on a pedestal?
Think about where you see birds bathing in naturemost of their water sources are on the ground.
Natural birdbaths are things like puddles and shallow pools of water in slow streams, Grant says.
Grant has a piece of advice for making a bird bath seem more natural to birds.
Birds also love dripping water, Grant says.
Who We Are
Brandi Fullerhas been a shopping editor for Better Homes & Gardens since 2022.
She specializes in outdoor, pest control, gardening, and wildlife products.
For this article, she consultedHolly Grant, project assistant for NestWatch at Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
After gathering insights from Grant, she researched various bird baths, considering bird safety first and foremost.
