A birdbath is a wide and shallow basin or bowl resting on a pedestal, meant for birds to drink from and bathe in. It is often an aesthetic centrepiece around which a garden is landscaped. It can be placed near a patio, on a terrace, deck or balcony, near a fountain, or wherever it will attract a large number of birds and is safe from predators. The birdbath is also meant to provide interest and entertainment for the family so should ideally placed be placed where you can view it easily from inside the house.
Birdbaths have today become popular features in gardens around the world. Anyone can have a birdbath installed in their garden. Depending on the construction, the birdbath requires different degrees of maintenance. It is important to regularly wash the baths to provide birds with a safe place to drink. Having clean water also helps attract birds to your garden or yard. Keeping a garden hose and a good scrubbing brush handy is a good way to ensure cleanliness. You can also use an electric or solar powered re-circulating pump that has filters and valves to keep the water clean.
A traditional birdbath is made of moulded concrete in two pieces – a basin and a one metre tall pedestal. However, materials such as plastics, metal, glass, mosaic tiles and ceramic are also used. An indentation or socket in the base of the bowl allows it to fit snugly onto the pedestal. The basins are typically shallow to let a bird comfortably stand inside without the risk of drowning. The edges of the basin are wide enough for the birds to perch while drinking water, bathing or drying. Large rounded pebbles or stones are placed in the shallow part of the bowl to let the birds stand comfortably. To provide a firm footing, the bowls shouldn’t have a glazed or shiny surface.
Birds love the sound of dripping water and are easily attracted to water fountains and sprinklers. Commercially available birdbaths often come with a built-in water dripper or a musical mini fountain to entice birds, for example the Rocky Mountain Spring Bath. A well designed birdbath will attract a wide variety of birds and will give you an excellent opportunity to bring the natural beauty of birds into your garden.
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