Best type of bird bath
Observing wild bird behavior in your yard weeks before can help you determine what the best kind of bird bath is for their needs, rather that what is the best bird bath for you.
Best type of bird bath to buy would be one that is elevated if its for birds that forage at high points in nature. Whereas to receive mostly Cardinals or Blue Jays in your yard, then they may appreciate the easy to access ground level bird bath. More importantly, the bird bath must be kept mobile to test new locations.
Have you thought about this, rather than investing in a single backyard bird bath, would it be more plausible to buy more bird bath styles, designed for as many bird species as possible.
You could setup a bird bath on a stand to make it the centerpiece of the backyard, or a small but cheaper one moved over to vegetation - and a final one mounted or hanging up on a wall or shed.
You'd therefore setup an environment for not only all visiting backyard birds, but no bird bath would be out of sight.
Maintain the central bird bath setup as part of the landscape, as it should compliment the decor of the yard - while moving the second bird bath until it receives more interest.
No sinking any bird bath into cement then as it needs to be kept mobile, especially if you believe the bird bath would benefit more in the sun or shade.
Elevated bird baths would be the best kind as they cater to more birds who are attracted to a safer location to bathe or drink. Whereas a ground level bird bath is often hidden in vegetation so approaching predators are not seen.
Quality bird baths would require no intervention later to make them safe, so make it a heavy one in metal or stone - with a wider base than the water bowl sitting on top to prevent the bird bath tipping over in wind.
Mobile bird bath on stand
Rather than locate the new bird bath in a spot in the backyard, to permanently be placed for the foreseeable future, you may need to consider moving the bird bath around.
What I mean by that is where you decide to place the bird bath might not be a suitable place for your backyard birds. Birds can be choosey so in the end you may need to uproot your bird bath, and site it elsewhere.
Its therefore important the bird bath is not only set in stone, for the time being anyway, but does offer mobility so you can move it around the yard, if need be.
Its not an easy task with a large stone bird bath that's for sure, but you'd need to plan ahead to make sure the bird bath can be re-located, just in case.
Where you place the bird bath is likely going to complement the yard with a central or high focal point in the yard - with that in mind it wouldn't hurt to pick out a few spots in case you need to experiment.
Where else you'd benefit with a bird bath that can be moved about if need be, is its easier to clean in and around it - or to bring it indoors in case of an approaching storm.
Reasonable height off ground
Most backyard birds who are likely to visit your yard are the species who tend to feed on elevated points in the wild.
And that's oppose to ground feeding birds who only forage on the ground or a still lower elevated point.
Bird baths on a stand or pedestal can accommodate all these birds, but its worth knowing you may see more success out of your bird bath if it is one that is off the ground.
First of all that can replicate wild bird behavior in the wild, but more so the bird bath is at a much safer point, seeing as its further off the ground.
Reserve a ground level bird bath if you receive many daily visitors to your yard, who are seen to forage beneath your bird feeders, rather than actually use them.
Bird baths on pedestals offer a much needed vantage point for birds to bathe or re-hydrate - as they would see any approaching predators beneath the bird bath.
Reasonable height off the ground is an important attribute to any bird bath, and possibly the best type of bird bath on the market.
Similarly, you could try an elevated hanging or wall mounted bird bath only, or in addition.
Self balancing if it applies
While the idea of a self balancing bird bath only applies to bird baths on a stand, its vital it can stand up on its on two feet, so to speak.
What that refers to is often a bird bath on a stand can be top heavy, so would make use of a small base only. That can lead to the bird bath being prone to toppling over in the wind, or indeed if its not kept level on the ground.
Best kind of bird bath that makes use of a stand then would be one that can remain standing without assistance.
An example of that is the need to use bird bath stabilizing pegs to impale into the ground.
To get off on the right foot from the start, as in buying a bird bath that has no issues standing at all later - no pegs or additional products would be needed to help keep the thing standing in the first place.
Vital attribute of any bird bath on a stand then is a base that is wider than the bird bath water bowl sitting on top of the pedestal.
Weight is important so you can think about setting up a stone or metal bird bath only.
Made in metal or stone
Best type of bird bath in terms of self balancing and quality are those made in what would be called stone or cement resin, or a heavier metal bird bath in iron.
Copper or steel bird baths can be a little heavier but the weight is not enough. But you may have to make do in the end.
While a stone bird bath made in resin or cast can be what the decor of your yard needs, the large base would be an important feature, because stone bird baths don't allow stabilizing pegs to be inserted in the base if need be.
Whereas a metal bird bath, while similar to a plastic or metal effect plastic bird bath, at least offers gaps in the base to thread stabilizing pegs through.
Favor a metal or stone bird bath over any lightweight plastic equivalent then, but make sure it does have some weight to it.
Alternatively, you could make do with a metal or stone bird bath bowl only, to settle on a high point in the yard - or balance on top of its own to buy separately metal stand.
Shallow bird bath bowl
Risks of birds drowning in a bird bath is a real concern but a rare one if that, but a too deep bird bath can instead deter birds from bathing or drinking.
Birds know a deep bird bath when they see one, so while they could continue to perch around the rim to re-hydrate, they won't be allowed to enter the water to bathe - they are not ducks after all so cannot swim.
I then believe the best kind of bird bath you can setup in your yard is one that uses a shallow water bowl from the off, or can be made to be shallow.
Bird bath bowls in most options slope in on the edge with the center point being the deepest part.
If you can shallow this area to no deeper than 2 inches within the water bowl rim, this bird bath would become a safe place for any bird to enter.
Don't be too concerned about a bird bath bowl depth, because the use of stones lined in the bowl can shallow the bath to whatever depth you desire.
If you do indeed buy a bird bath that uses a shallow bowl from the off, then you can be safe in the knowledge no extra expense or hassle would be needed later.
Extras to consider
While its important to invest in a bird bath that is very much a favorite of yours, and so too will compliment your backyard, there's no harm too look to future.
Example of that is, a bird bath that uses a bowl shaped water bowl with a deep part is harder for birds to use, but easier to line with stones to create a level surface under the water.
But with a flat bird bath bowl from the get go, it would be possible to submerge a solar powered bird bath in the water.
That is not a possibility with a curved bottom or too deep bird bath, but a flat bottom can allow the solar powered fountain panel to be laid flat on the bowl, with no other issues.
Birds like the noise of running water, so can be attracted to it from afar - so you may find yourself needing to setup a solar fountain at some point.
And while a purpose built solar powered bird bath can be ordered, that's the kind of extra expense that is not needed. With all that noise intended to grab birds attention, the sun reflecting off a brightly colored bird bath can benefit when it comes to attracting birds.
Other than stones or pebbles, including a fountain panel, nothing else should be added to the bird bath as matter of wild bird safety.
Conclusion
Best type of bird baths are those that don't need additional investment later on; be it stabilizing pegs or stones to shallow the water depth.
Bird baths on a stand are designed to be uplifted and moved around, and that's important because you may need to find a better location over the course of its use, or at least until birds prefer a certain area.
This bird bath must be made to be moved around then, but at the same time it would be a bad idea to set the bird bath in stone, in case it needs moving later.
The best kind of bird baths that can be bought are ones that are elevated, but don't need to be balanced. That can relate to the wind always blowing over taller bird baths, so its vital the base is far wider than a top heavy water bowl sitting on top.
Height off the ground tends to attract more common backyard birds, whereas a ground level bird bath is more desirable to fewer ground feeding birds only.
Material of the bird bath should be made in a heavy metal or stone, as its important to know plastic equals lightweight - so would be prone to toppling over in the littlest of wind.
Shallow bird bath bowl is a must as a deep one can deter birds, but to buy a bird bath that can be made to hold stones to shallow the water depth, is always a good idea.
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