What are bird baths for
Bird baths are used for what is in the name, a bath of water that is left out in the yard for birds to help themselves to bathe or drink as they come and go.
Bird baths are for thirsty birds when water becomes scarce, or a convenience as they use a bird bath once they are in your yard. Other than re-hydrating, birds must preen their feathers, so use bird bath water to do so. Other animals can use a bird bath but when not in use can be used as a decorative ornament.
What bird baths are made for is like this, they work by simply replenishing a bowl of water situated on top of a stand or hung with chains that is continually filled with tap water.
What that can lead to is hopefully the bird bath attract wild birds of any kind, filling your yard with a display of bathing wild birds, frolicking in and around the bird bath.
Intended use of any type of bird bath is for wild birds to re-hydrate and bathe; bathe to preen their feathers to allow them to fly; or to re-hydrate which is vital for wild birds to be stay alive.
Bird baths are not self-cleaning, so the person responsible for it must take care of the bird bath, to keep it sanitary during its use.
A bird bath won't get used all the time, and may very well not get used at all before its life expectancy comes to an end, thus it can be used as a garden ornament.
Its therefore best to invest in a more expensive bird bath made in stone or metal that would compliment your garden decor, and so to the landscape.
Birds love any kind of bird bath but its up to you to pick one that blends in to your yard.
Effort may be needed on your part other than setting up a water source. Its important to know birds are attracted to running water, so a solar powered bird bath can keep that drinking and bathing water running throughout its use.
Bird baths are for thirsty birds
Importance of a bird bath comes to life in times of harsh summer months and drought, when wild birds need to re-hydrate in order to stay alive.
Birds frequently use a bird bath because its often situated near bird feeders, something they really come to depend on in peoples yards.
What bird baths are for is for wild birds to perch on around the rim, to drink.
Birds spend most of their day foraging for food, so when a bird bath pops up near their regularly feeding grounds - namely your yard - they can take full advantage of a bird bath setup.
Bird baths are unused for most of the time, but when its used more often then you knew the birds really need it.
Other than the importance of drinking, birds also need to prone their feathers.
Birds bathe to clean feathers
Name of the outdoor ornament is actually a bird bath, so it only makes sense for this life line to not only assist birds in a reliable water source, but a place to bathe.
Bird baths are used for thirsty birds, but of course its used for them to bathe.
You see, its vital birds keep their feathers in excellent condition in order for them to function for birds to take flight.
Feather maintenance can happen in any water source, but birds love to enter the bowl of a bird bath to ruffle up their feathers in the process of cleaning themselves.
What happens is birds dampen their feathers to loosen any dirt or grit, to which allows wild birds to preen their feathers while wet.
Bird baths then take their name for the purpose of birds actually using it as such, a bath.
But of course it would be the responsibility of the bird bath owner, namely you - to keep the bird bath in excellent condition, while making sure the bird bath bowl is continued to be replenished with fresh water.
Frequently used by other wildlife
As it happens, bird baths don't always get used for what they were made for, in fact wild birds rarely use a bird bath if a water source nearby is plentiful.
But there's no wasting your brand new bird bath when other wildlife may come to your yard, so in turn would indeed make the most of it.
Other wildlife expected to use a bird bath if they are allowed to, are: deer, squirrels which applies to most of us, raccoon's, snakes, foxes and even bears - only if a family of bears can avoid damaging it in the process.
Ground bird baths can attract hedgehogs and small woodland creates unable to climb.
Of course you can avoid attracting these wild animals if they are a pest to you - and that means keeping snakes off my bird bath - or indeed keeping wild animals away by removing the bird bath completely for the time being.
Bird baths are for use by backyard birds, including less common birds that rarely frequent our yards - but a mix of animals can use it.
Due to the transmission of diseases, its advisable you prevent pets drinking out of a bird bath.
Can be ornamental only
Often people go out and treat themselves to a cheap, made in any material bird bath, but a made in plastic bird bath on a pedestal, which is perfectly fine but can be an issue.
Bird baths can act as a mere garden ornament, thus an attractive made in stone bird bath with decoration is going to be far more pleasing to the eye than an ugly throw away type plastic bird bath.
Consider a bird bath as a permanent piece of backyard furniture, and buy it to match the decor of your yard - while locating it in an area to compliment the landscape. Heck, even general bird bath grime and algae can look the part, although a weathered ornamental bird bath is the look you would want to aim for.
What would be a bird bath intended for wild birds might not get used very much, so instead can by enjoyed as complimentary garden ornament
In the time its there, who's to say it won't be used by wild birds and other animals, so its vital to continue to replenish it with water to keep the wildlife satisfied.
With a bird bath used for nothing more than a statue in the yard, people often make it the center of attention by giving it a central location to a patio or the lawn.
I am referring to bird baths on a stand, but options can include a hanging bird bath that birds like, but can also keep other animals well off.
Summarize
What bird baths are for is just that, to allow a mix of common backyard birds to use the bird bath water to preen their feathers.
So important are bird baths in drought, you could see more rare or not so common backyard birds - but birds that wouldn't normally frequent a backyard at all, let alone your bird bath setup.
Birds need to maintain their feathers for them to take flight, so expect birds to enter the middle of a bird bath with their feathers ruffled up, as they splash about in the water while bathing in the bowl.
Other than using the bird bath with its namesake, bird baths become a vital garden ornament when birds are allowed to re-hydrate around the clock.
Water can dry up in nature, but not in a bird bath as people often replenish it to keep birds coming back. It may seem like a novelty to most, but in fact a bird bath is a life line at certain times of the year.
Bird baths can become stale if not taken care of, but don't always get used as bird baths can be hard to attract birds to it.
But that is not to say other wildlife can't be tempted to it, as many animals can struggle to re-hydrate in the wild, so won't be afraid to use a bird bath.
If you fail to bring birds or other wildlife to a bird bath, then this can be made up by making sure a more attractive bird bath can be used as a simple ornament.
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