Should I get a bird bath
What better way than to make sure wild birds can hydrate or preen their feathers when they need to most, than in the safety of a bird bath setup in your yard.
Get a bird bath for your yard with no regrets later if you prioritize it being a permanent garden ornament, rather than to only serve birds, as it can rarely be used. Don't let that discourage you as bird baths can create a beautiful garden feature with the sound of running water or flowers planted at its base.
To consider getting a bird bath for your yard is a great idea to attract wild birds to hydrate or bathe, while being sure your daily visitors can reliably access a source of water.
It may seem bird baths are only used when the weather is nice, but this isn't true.
Birds need a water source to continue to hydrate daily while preening their feathers is a matter of life and death. If feathers can't be cleaned then birds can't take flight, which would mean they starve.
Bird baths can be used all year round with bird baths used in winter, in snowy, freezing cold conditions.
Only in that case you'd have to make sure the bird bath doesn't freeze over.
If you are not willing to put in time and effort to keep the water source clean, replenished and accessible at all times, then maybe a bird bath it not for you.
In the meantime, consider your options with a bird baths made in material that can include a more natural look weathered stone, metal, decorative glass or much cheaper to buy plastic bird baths.
Should get a bird baths
Whilst not as essential as bird feeders or only wild bird food in use, a bird bath can really bring a bit of spark to your yard.
Bird baths must be used in conjunction with feeders, or else you'd find it really difficult inviting birds to just bathe or hydrate only.
Get a bird bath knowing there really is little maintenance or work to do, but you'll still need to take care of the bird bath to keep it clean and hygienic.
Situate the bird bath where you feel it looks nice in the yard, then let nature do its thing as birds descend on it.
It wont be random wild birds appearing from anywhere, but more so used by birds that already frequent your yard on a daily basis.
To invest in a bird bath can brighten up an otherwise dull yard, while feeding wild life other than birds can be sure there's lots to see in the near future.
Bird baths don't cost too much if its the cheaper plastic or metal bird bath kind, so no real waste if it doesn't work out for you this time.
Excuse for birds to visit yard more
While birds are seen to come to your backyard to mostly feed at the bird feeders or forage on the ground,or in vegetation, bird baths give them more reasons to visit.
Bird baths I'd admit can be difficult to attract birds to, as they tend to be more interesting in eating their body weight than drinking or taking a bath.
And while it may seem a little thing to have in otherwise large yard, or a big thing to have in a small yard - if wild birds need a water source in times of need, there's nothing stopping them using your bird bath.
It may not be worth your time getting a bird bath if its not used at all, but for many people it does get used often - its therefore possible you may be one of these people.
When a bird bath does exactly what its suppose to do, just watch as a number of the same species, or more likely a mix of all types of bird species descend on the bird bath.
Bird baths give a genuine reason for wild birds to visit your yard. Without one that is not a problem, as feeders make up for it. But to include a bird bath alongside your bird feeders can really liven up the yard.
Rarely used, can be rewarding
I'll say it again so I can be sure your expectations are not too high, your bird bath may not be used quite as often, as they can rarely be used.
In times of dry hot summers or indeed drought, wild birds find water sources in the wild have dried up, so have no choice to use a bird bath.
If your bird bath doesn't get used at all, then you may feel it wasn't worth getting one after all, but this isn't true.
What if you were to reserve the bird bath for the summer months only, when birds come calling for fresh water to hydrate or bathe to preen their feathers.
Whilst rarely used, that is not to say birds use the bird bath at all, it might just be when you weren't looking.
When birds do use a bird bath, it can be quite rewarding to know they will benefit. And in times when hydrating is a must, this bird bath can be a real life saver.
No big investment needed
Do get a bird bath knowing little investment is needed, and while more time and patience is needed on your part, the money spent can be very little, or more if you can afford it.
Buying a bird bath to compliment your garden decor is a must, with a stone or metal bird bath a great option. I will say cheaper plastic bird baths are a good starter, but in time quality bird baths may be needed.
Quality means lasting for longer; heavier so more stable in windy conditions; and of course the metal or weathered stone blending into the landscape beautifully.
No big investment is needed to buy a bird bath, so it really can depend on what you can effort, and the time needed to set it up.
Time spent is more on your part, because if you didn't know already this bird bath must be cleaned out once or twice a week, to clean out residue and bird poop, while being sure to prevent algae developing.
Its easy setting up a bird bath, but understand unless you are willing to put in the time, maybe getting a bird bath is not for you.
Best place to buy a bird bath would be online for cheaper options, but do consider a garden center for a locally built bird bathes, or one that can be inspected for quality before committing to the purchase.
Still a garden ornament
If you see the bird bath of yours not performing as expected, it can instead become a permanent ornament in your garden.
So you see, whilst highly practical for wild birds to use, including other wild life, a bird bath can be prioritized as an outdoor ornament.
Benefit being, it can fill a void in your yard, and while sprucing up the garden the bird bath in time can be used by birds once in a while.
Rather than the bird bath remaining stagnant wherever you place it in your yard, you can bring it to life by introducing running water.
I will say a fountain bird bath operated with solar panels can be an inviting prospect to birds, with the sound of running water including reflection off the water surface seen from above, can attract birds to it.
Get a bird bath for the purpose of a garden ornament, then anything that happens next would be a delightful bonus.
Buy a bird bath in a material that compliments the yard, while sprucing it up in the water with rocks, or out and round the bird bath with colorful flowers.
Feeders still apply
Absolutely should you get a bird bath as it can act as an ornament as well as a place for birds to reliable hydrate or bathe in a safe environment.
With that in mind you can't just rely on a bird bath to attract birds to your yard, you need bird feeders to at least get birds to come in the first place.
I therefore ask you to be sure bird feeders are already in use at this time, only then can you introduce a bird bath for these same birds that arrive daily.
Get a bird bath that matches the garden landscape but you won't really be able to match it to bird feeders, if that matters at all.
Because birds can be a little unsanitary with bird baths, as they poop in the water - do keep bird baths at least 10 to 20 feet away from feeders.
Feeders must always be present in your yard if you intend to invite birds to baths.
Any bird feeder will do as long as they use it, but remember the more feeders, the more food available to accommodate more birds dietary needs - and therefore the more likely these same birds will move over to the bird bath at some point.
To conclude
What with bird baths at the lowest price range cost under $10.00, why not splash the cash to see just what can happen if you offer a reliable water source.
You should get a bird bath because it really can benefit wild birds in times of need.
More so, it has the benefit of sprucing a yard that is a little flat and is in need of a little landscaping, of which a bird bath can fill a void.
What else is interesting is its not always a case of replenishing the bird bath once or twice a week, and forgetting about, oh no...
You can add rocks or line the bird bath base with stones to great a safer water bowl for big or smaller birds to enter; whilst planting flowers around the base of the bird bath fixed on a stand to make it stand out to birds.
Bird baths are rarely used if birds can hydrate or bathe in the wild, but when you do see them use it, it can be very rewarding.
Prioritize your bird bath as a garden ornament, with rocks in the water or plants surrounding the base - this way it serves to decorate your yard if its not used very often.
No big investment is needed on your part, only your personal time to clean out the bird bath once to twice a week.
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