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Birding Water Information
Bathing Beauties
Many birds start to bathe by first lowering their breast into the water. Then they dunk their wings and splash water over their backs, often submerging their tail. A shower of water from out-stretched wings finishes off the bath, after which the bird fluffs its feathers and retreats to a safe place to preen and dry off in the sun. Some species relish more than one bath a day, including robins, catbirds, field sparrows and thrashers.
Flycatchers literally skip through their bath. They flit across the surface of the water like a skipped stone, continuing on to a perch. Anna's and rufous hummingbirds often bathe in flight by skimming over the water, and at other times get all the way in and splash with their wings like larger birds.
Some birds are totally unconcerned about sharing a bath, like the northern flickers (left) while others prefer privacy. Adult birds may bring their young to bathe, and that crowd often attracts others. If birds find the bath in use, some will sit and wait, while others will dive-bomb the bathers.
Icicles are Insufficient: Birds Need Water
When natural water sources begin to freeze, the open birdbath in your backyard becomes even more important. Birds need water every day for drinking and to keep their feathers clean and functioning properly. True, your birds are able to extract water metabolically from snow and even the dry seeds they eat. But the energy expended might be better used just to keep warm.
Birdbaths with built-in heaters or individual heating units can be found at your local Wild Bird Center store. Most of these devices are equipped with thermostats that turn the heater off if the bath runs out of water, if the temperature rises above freezing or if it tips over.
Leave Your Birds' Water On for the Winter
It probably doesn't make a big difference to you if you find the water fountain in your local park turned off for the winter. But your backyard birds will really miss the fresh water if you remove the birdbath. True, your birds are able to extract water metabolically from seed or snow, but that energy might better be used just to keep warm. Having a year 'round source of water can increase wildlife visitors to your yard, especially when natural puddles and ponds are frozen over. Submersible or built-in electric heaters can keep winter water ice-free.
Because winter bird feeding enthusiasts in the Sunbelt have more problems with melting suet than frozen birdbaths, they are able to maintain a variety of water sources. Moving water usually proves irresistible to many birds and can be accomplished simply with a dripper attached to a birdbath. Since most water dishes are too deep for tiny hummingbirds that dominate the landscape along Gulf costal areas, the hummers may do their bathing in the collected dew of large plant leaves. A consistent supply of fresh water will draw a wide variety of birds through all four seasons. But whatever the month, birdbaths must be kept thoroughly clean. Scrubbing with old-fashioned elbow grease is the best method, without using detergents that could leave a harmful residue. To permit a sure-footed approach, the edges of a birdbath should be smooth and the bowl filled with no more than an inch or two of water. Of course you will want the birdbath near a window so you can enjoy your birds, but put it in an open spot with some protective cover nearby. Trees or bushes offer a safe retreat from lurking predators. Then watch the delightful scene as the birds drink, bathe and socialize.
Water II
Beyond drinking and bathing, a non-scientific reason why birds take advantage of water may be simply because they enjoy it. Watching several quail splashing noisily in your birdbath, or an acorn woodpecker it's hard not to imagine that they're having a gloriously good time.
Drips
An easy water drip project requires only an old pail or plastic milk jug. Punch a very tiny pinhole in the bottom, suspend from a hanger above a birdbath, fill with water, put on a lid to reduce water outflow and let 'er drip, preferably at a rate of about 2 drops per second.
Ponds
Construct a recirculating pond. All you need is a hole in the ground, a plastic liner designed specifically for use in ponds, a water pump and a place for water to run down. Add water plants to maintain a balanced ecosystem and enhance the overall attractiveness with plants around the edge.
Rocks
Make use of a lot of rocks. They help to replicate the streambeds and ponds birds use in the wild and may make them feel safer.
Holes
Build your own watering hole. Lay out your desired shape and size well away from the feeding station, but within view from a favorite window or deck chair. Dig a shallow hole, not more than eight to ten inches deep, and lay down a sheet of reinforced wire screening to fit the design. Pour three or four inches of ready-mix concrete, spread smoothly over the contours keeping the edges slightly elevated so the water doesn't run out. Let the concrete "cure" for a few days and then fill with water. If you anticipate any cat trouble, build your water feature on an elevated site or more in the open.
Wet a Bird's Winter Whistle
It probably doesn't bother you if the water fountain in your local park is turned off for the winter. But your backyard birds will miss the fresh water source if you remove the birdbath from your backyard. So whether you are in the middle of a winter deep freeze or the temperatures are tolerably above freezing, it's a good time to review the birds' water supply.
Open water for birds is critical when natural puddles and ponds freeze solid. True, the birds are able to extract water metabolically from seed or snow, but that energy might better be used just to keep warm.
Winter birdbaths attract lively birds that bring some excitement to otherwise drab days. Watch for goldfinches, pine siskins, cardinals, evening grosbeaks, woodpeckers, mourning doves, redpolls and cedar waxwings, among others.
Heavy-duty plastic plant saucers serve well as winter baths, particularly if the sides are tapered so that the ice can pop up and out of the top. They won't crack if the water in them freezes, and they're shallow enough to be comfortable for short-legged, small birds.
Birds usually bathe only when temperatures are above 32 degrees because they can't risk getting their feathers wet in freezing weather. Instead of immersing themselves in the water, they perch on the edges to take a drink.
To keep the water from freezing there is the time-honored approach of refilling birdbaths with warm water several times a day. But it's a lot easier to use submersible electric warmers or energy-efficient birdbaths that have built-in heaters. Avoid too big a heater; it's best if the bath or bird pond has some ice in areas away from the heater to conserve energy. Also, when water and ice are present together, the water temperature stays a healthy 32 degrees that won't tempt the birds to treat it as an artificial heat source for warming themselves.
Set the bath in a sunny location protected from north winds, and remember to unplug a thermostatic heater when temperatures stay above freezing.
Because winter bird feeding enthusiasts in the Sunbelt have more problems with melting suet than frozen birdbaths, they are able to maintain a variety of water sources. Moving water, irresistible to many birds, can be accomplished simply with a dripper attached to a birdbath.
Whatever the season or the locale, birdbaths require routine maintenance. Flush out dirty water and use old-fashioned elbow grease to scrub the basin.
A birdbath at your feeding station is an easy way to attract a greater variety of birds to your yard.