Should bird baths be off the ground

Bird baths don't have to be sat in any particular location in the yard, providing its visible for birds to find it, and fully accessible when they do.

Bird baths don't have to be off the ground at all, because in fact bird baths can benefit on a ground location for many reasons. Among them, large and awkward birds like Doves will find it easier to access, while the dish can still be elevated. Disadvantage is the ground bird bath can be too vulnerable to attacks.

Bird baths are simply a kind of dish that readily stores water in as a way for wild birds to bathe and drink when times are hard.

It really doesn't matter what this water source is and what location its set in.

Birds like a water source that contains clean, fresh water in at least an accessible location, whilst being visible so they can find it in the first place.

On your part, you may choose to sit a bird bath off the ground as a way to protect birds from common predators, or to elevate a bird bath off the ground to ensure the bird bath location in found.

I consider ground level bird baths to be a substitute only to what I consider to be real, effective bird baths that sits on a pole, up to 3-4 feet off the ground. Why that is because more wild birds respond well to a bird bath on a pedestal.

Bird baths can be situated anywhere in the yard if its both visible and accessible, while at the same time will make the most of a sunlit area.

If that means utilizing any type of ground bird bath than so be it, but only if you can guarantee wild birds safety, as they bathe or hydrate on a ground location.

If you can use a bird bath with no danger to wild birds, there are benefits to be had that could lead to even more interest in a bird bath.

Ground bird baths, which is essentially a metal, stone or a simple ceramic dish, cannot tip over like bird baths on a stand, while at the same time its fully compatible with all size birds, who would normally be rejected on small hanging bird baths.

Bird bath levels varies

Bird baths shouldn't be off the ground if you can provide a space on the deck, lawn or patio where wild birds would feel safe to bathe or hydrate.

Same bird bath that has a flat bottom for balance could even be put on a deck or porch railing, in an effort at least to keep it from under your feet.

In which case it doesn't matter what level the bird bath is located, just as long as its the most effective location you can provide.

Of course bird baths can go on the ground even if its the floor of the deck or porch.

Birds will drink pockets of water anywhere it can be found in the wild, like rain droplets on leaves, in trees, or puddles in parks. Birds have no sense of what is a bird bath, but they will come to it wherever it may sit, when they need it most to bathe or drink.

When I think of a bird bath, the type of bird bath that comes to my mind are stone or metal bird baths that sit on a pole, and are generally located on the patio or lawn.

While a ground bird bath can't provide the kind of visibility a bird bath on a stand can provide, what could be a simple but very versatile bird bath dish can be situated in places in the yard a too large, bulky bird bath cannot go.

Off ground for birds well-being

Only time a bird bath must 100% be off the ground at all times, is when the bird bath itself risks being accessed by pests or becomes a water source for natural predators.

In addition, you wouldn't want a contaminated water source our dogs and cats can drink every time they're out in the yard.

Bird baths should be off the ground to at least protect pets whilst keeping children out of harms way.

Other than that, bird baths can be on the ground if no pests, predators and children are present in your yard.

We must do all we can to protect wild birds at bird baths and bird feeders, and if that means not using no backyard birding equipment at all, then it must be so if we can stop just one common backyard bird coming to harm.

Bird baths that cannot actually sit on the patio or lawn wouldn't mean the end of use. In fact, what can be detachable bird bath dishes can be positioned on deck railings, garden furniture, or balanced on a high wall or fence.

Bear in mind, these locations are still accessible to predators and pests, but they can be considered to keep children and pets out of reach.

Ground to satisfy certain species

Certainly it is possible for practically every common bird feeder bird to access what is an open for all bird bath.

Birds like Blue Jays and Doves usually cannot use a hanging bird feeder because its too small and compact, yet a hanging bird bath is just as bad because its suspended in such a way - these large wild birds are unable to properly perch.

And this is where a ground bird bath will come in useful, its for wild birds who are ground foraging birds by nature, and thus will happily drink or bathe in a ground bird bath.

In addition, you can expect to attract Cardinals, Finches, American Robins and many more to ground bird bath. Its normally a small dish bird bath but its always stabilized, while providing an easier way for wild birds to access water in our yards.

As a bonus, a ground bird bath can be protected from Crows or Pigeons if you like, by just sitting a squirrel proof cage over the top, which isn't possible with any other types of bird bath - like a bird bath bowl sitting 2-3 feet high on a pedestal.

Satisfy the needs of all common backyard birds by providing an accessible to all water source, whilst situating it in a very well lit up area but never in an out of the way location, as to encourage birds to use the bird bath, with no obstacles getting in their way.

Conclude

Circumstances when a bird baths must be off the ground is only when wild birds risk being attacked by predators, like cats.

Why else bird baths must be elevated is to prevent both pets and children accessing this disease ridden water source.

And while I consider a bird bath to be only used in conjunction with a bird bath that sits on a pole/stand, there's lot of benefits to be had out of a ground location. Ground bird baths serve to provide water to less able birds who tend to avoid elevated baths.

Bird baths are essentially an open to all water source that just so happens to be a decorated but convenient water bowl.

Whether its water to drink or bathed in on the ground in a natural location, like a park or wooded areas, wild birds will take water whenever its most needed.

Why not set the conditions for potential takers by putting a dish of water on the ground for Blue Jays or Cardinals, while continuing to use other types of elevated bird baths - which is likely to encourage Finches, Warblers to Chickadees - to drink/bath on any bird bath that is sat well off the ground, which all these and more, prefer.

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