Do bird baths need to be shallow
To be sure an often hard to attract bird bath remains open to all bird species, a shallow depth of 1 inch only is inviting to all, whilst remaining safe to all size birds.
Bird baths need to be shallow because small, agile birds can't float on water, so instead rely on a shallow water depth so they can enter the water to drink, or indeed perch on the rim without getting in trouble. Keep the bird bath water depth between 1 to 2 inches only, with one inch the safest option.
Whilst observing wild birds in their natural habitat, their behavior in streams or puddles indicates wild birds only bathe or hydrate in shallow areas.
Bird baths do need to remain shallow then as its what backyard birds prefer in the wild.
Manipulating the bird bath water depth is possible while lining the bird bath water bowl with stones - up to 1 or 2 inches to the rim where the water is allowed to spill over and out.
What this would do is if any rain water can rise, the water can spill out over the edges as it continues to rain. With little danger in sight, birds can continue to use a bird bath without intervention on your part.
Bird baths can never be too shallow, but they can be too deep unless you are sure to maintain a certain level.
Larger birds would prefer a 2 inch depth, but if your backyard is frequented more by smaller bird species, then make it 1 inch only.
Smaller birds can use a deeper bird bath depth to preen, whilst having no issues to hydrate - but the rare occasion a Hummingbird does use a regular bird bath, a shallow depth is more suited to their needs.
What else you can do to manipulate water depth is tilting the bird bath over, whilst preventing the bird bath tipping over all the way to create a deep and shallow end.
Bird baths DO need to be shallow
Bird baths must absolutely be shallow as to make it safe for all common backyard birds to use - including the not so small birds.
How deep should a bird bath be doesn't need to be exact, but you will need to fill it up with a depth of an inch or so.
Water at this level can quickly dry up in summer or hotter climates, so you may need to continue to replenish it regularly until this spell of heat is over.
To keep a bird bath water level at 1 inch only you are catering to birds in your yard that are more on the small side - if you believe the larger species occupy your bird bath more often, perhaps you can rise the water level to 2 inches.
Bird baths need to be shallow in order for the smaller birds to drink in safety, or indeed allow them to enter the water to ruffle up their feathers to preen.
Deepest area of a bird bath would normally be the center, so this area must have the 1 inch water depth - as birds climb down the rim of the bird bath that is usually on a slope.
2 inches deep max.
Where you do mostly receive larger birds in your bird bath, such as Northern Cardinals, Blackbirds or Blue Jays - bird bath water depth can be risen to 2 inches.
I can tell you this level can deter smaller birds that frequent your yard, thus its best to keep the water at a suitable for all birds of 1 inch, or just over.
Never allow the bird bath water depth to rise above two inches or else this can make it hard for any bird to bathe. Whilst entering the water its made hard for all backyard birds at this depth - they can continue to hydrate while perched on rim.
Bird baths commercially available usually have a bird bath water bowl depth of around 2 inches, with a 2.5 maximum depth.
Its therefore possible you can fill it up as for as the rim then forget about it, whilst not being too concerned about depth.
Do not fill the bird bath above 2 inches for larger birds then, but a 1 inch depth can attract all size birds to it - even though the lower depth can be a bit more awkward for bigger birds - but its a price to pay for their safety.
Manipulate water depth
While bird baths do need to remain at a 1 inch shallow depth for smaller birds, or keep it open to all size birds - a 2 inch depth can cater to larger birds only.
Bird baths you can buy in plastic, metal or stone usually have a maximum depth of 2 inches, but they can be much deeper or more shallow.
Where bird baths are shallow enough to keep birds safe whilst preening in the depths of the water, you'd need to manipulate the water depth regardless.
How you would do this is line the bird bath with water safe stones or gravel to bring the water level only 1 or 2 inches from the top of the rim.
If it rains the water will remain at the height you measured the stones to, with a guarantee the water level can't go any deeper.
Manipulation of water depth via stones or gravel is the only way to safely measure the water line to the exact depth it can reach. Whilst its possible the water can lower as splashing or wind can spill some water out of the bird bath.
Line stones to assist birds
Once again its vital to line your bird bath with a series of water safe plain or decorative stones or gravel to line the bird bath base.
On top of that these stones are seen to keep bathing wild birds safe with their footing.
Birds enter a shallow bird bath to prune their feathers, but this shallow depth is by no means safe for all.
Birds can get in trouble as they enter water much like people do from time to time.
To keep the water at a shallow depth this must be in conjunction with stones to line the base to maintain that depth at all times.
Stones lining the base is for assisting birds so they can avoid slipping, with the bonus being stones in a bird bath can look quite appealing.
While bird baths do need to be shallow to cater to smaller backyard birds who get into more trouble over their larger counterparts - the stones can assist larger birds as there's no guarantee they won't have any issues.
Conclusion
Bird baths with a shallow depth can cater to more birds than a deeper level, thus a shallow bird bath is needed as it remains open to all birds who use it.
Depth of the bird bath water can begin at only 1 inch, this depth is suitable for all common backyard birds of the smaller size; including Robins, Bluebirds, Titmice, Chickadees - and on a rare occasion when a Hummingbird uses a normal bird bath.
If your bird bath remains popular with larger birds only, namely Cardinals, Blue Jays or Crackles for example, then the water level can be risen to 2 inches.
To cater to all birds, including the rarer smaller birds in your yard for your personal circumstances, keep the depth just above an inch.
Bird baths commercially available to buy tend to have a maximum water bowl depth of 2 inches in the center - this is usually the deepest part where birds enter the water, whilst hoping down the gentle slope.
If your bird bath needs to be at 1 inch only to cater to smaller birds, manipulate the water depth by lining the bird bath base with water safe stones or gravel.
What happens when rain water enters the bird bath is the depth naturally gets deeper, with the stones lining the base the extra water will simply spill out of the bird bath, whilst maintaining the level you need it at.
Keep bird baths to a shallow depth at all times then, because at the worse the low level can be only trickier for larger birds to use, but will use it anyway.
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