The Best DIY Bird Baths - The Hairy Potato (2024)

FAQs

What type of bird bath attracts the most birds? ›

The best birdbaths mimic nature's birdbaths—puddles and shallow pools of water in slow streams; they're shallow with a gentle slope so birds can wade into the water. Look for one that won't break and is easily cleaned.

What birds really want from a bird bath is a wide, safe and shallow puddle with a rock or two for perching on. That way, they won't get out of their depth, there's plenty of space to flap about, and every chance to do it in the company of others, which is always safer.

To keep your birdbath fresh, just rinse and scrub it with nine parts water, one part vinegar. Skip the synthetic soaps and cleansers; they can strip the essential oils off of bird feathers. And make sure to refill the water every other day to keep it from bugging up.

Give Your Birds Perching Spots

If you happen to have a deeper bird bath, you can make it more appealing by adding in a few rocks in the middle or along the edges. This will give birds a place to land so they can splash and preen themselves in the water.

To keep algae growth from your bird bath drop some pre-1982 copper pennies in. I have what I would call a normal size bird bath & I use 7 pennies. The reason for the pennies being pre-1982 is that before that year, the pennies contained copper, a natural algicide.

Birds prefer to drink and bathe in cool, shaded areas, so providing a shady spot nearby can be a great way to attract more birds. Another way to enhance your bird bath fountain is by adding a mister or commercial dripper.

In fact, birds will not bathe in some store-bought birdbaths because the sides are too steep. Birds prefer water depth to increase gradually from edges. A 1- to 2-inch depth is best. Birds are especially attracted to moving water.

We recommend using Flex Seal Liquid for your birdbath as it is safe to use around plants and animals once fully cured.

Adding 1 tsp of apple cider vinegar per gallon of water will help prevent algae from growing in your bird bath. It makes the water slightly acidic which kills the algae. It's important to dilute the apple cider vinegar so that it isn't too strong.

What can I put in my bird bath to keep it clean? ›

Combine one part vinegar and ten parts water in a plastic container. Remove the debris from the bowl using a scrub brush and the cleaning solution.

As the water drips from the bottle or bucket into the birdbath, it creates ripples and a methodical dripping sound. The same effect can be achieved by placing a shallow pan beneath a slowly dripping faucet or a hose hung over a limb. Running a small recirculating pump into the birdbath also works well.

In summary, while birds predominantly use bird baths during the early morning and late evening, bird bath activity can be observed throughout the day. By providing a clean, safe, and consistent source of water, you can enjoy watching a variety of birds indulge in your garden.

The ideal height for a bird bath to attract birds and keep them safe generally ranges from 1 to 3 feet. This height range ensures accessibility for a variety of bird species, offers a degree of safety from ground predators, maintains visibility to birds, and can be adjusted based on specific environmental conditions.

Birds Prefer Shallow Water

The water should be no deeper than 2 inches in the middle and ½ to 1 inch at the edges. Place rocks or stones in the middle of your bath for birds to perch and drink without getting their feet wet.

The Birdbath Isn't in the Right Place

If your birdbath is out in the open, with no cover or brush nearby, it's too risky a place for birds to use as a rest stop. After all, they need to be able to duck and cover should a predator like the neighborhood cat comes near.

Concrete or stone bird baths are durable but very heavy and hard to move. Plastic bird baths are lightweight but might not be as attractive. Ceramic is a good compromise between weight and appearance, but is certainly more fragile than something like concrete.

Patience is needed when you add anything to the garden for birds, we installed another hanging feeder alongside our existing feeders and it took three weeks before we spotted our first bird using it. On average, it takes birds between 2 – 4 weeks to find a bird bath.