Backyard Bird Baths

Visiting with my brother last week-end, I was impressed as always with his creativity. Having dug around some large rocks in front of his log house (which he & his wife built), he created a pond with a waterfall that wildlife birds love to visit. He said they come to drink and bathe, and he enjoys eating his lunch outside to watch them, providing him with a little relaxation time. They’ve quickly became comfortable with his presence and add greatly to his enjoyment of life.

In fact, I found it all so inspiring that I’ve asked my husband to help me create a wildlife bird pond in our backyard. It will be a long-term project that I expect will bring even longer term benefits to both us and the wildlife friends that come to visit.

A pedestal brass birdbath with a dripper will act like a magnet for birds, especially if placed where a frightened bird has quick access to an overhanging branch or other place to rest if in danger of attack.

No more than 2 inches of water are needed in the center, as birds do not submerge entirely. Instead, they dip their wings and splash water onto their backs. The dripper adds a moving water effect that birds can see from afar.

Bird Bath Feather Mister sprays a fine cloud of water that many birds find irresistible. Misters attract a wide variety of Hummingbirds. Hummingbirds are attracted to the mist itself and like to fly back and forth through it.

Are you are seeking to attract more wildlife birds to your backyard? Providing clean drinking and bathing water is a sure way to make your garden more attractive to a variety of birds. A
bird pond with a faux waterfall rock will provide both. Your efforts will soon be rewarded.

Flying south for the winter, Cedar Waxwings can be found nesting in Canada and the northern states. Although they eat some insects, wild and cultivated fruits and berries are their foods of choice. Waxwings in the northeast are sometimes called Cedarbirds because they often eat cedar berries.

Quiet birds, their call is similar to a whisper… seep, seep, seep. A flock will appear without fanfare, seen on treetops as well as telephone wires. Females look like the males, and they are the only brown birds with crests.

They’ll be drawn to a pond or bird bath with dripping water.

On a hot summer day, cool running water is a source of delight for your backyard wildlife birds. An elegant addition to your garden, the morning waters copper bird bath provides fresh, cool water for birds. The welcoming environment you provide will be an on-going source of enjoyment for you, too. As they come back time and again to drink and bath, priceless are the moments you’ll enjoy.

With a bird pond in your backyard, placed near shrubbery, Catbirds may come calling. They like to nest in shrubs near houses, as well as in fruit trees and gardens.

Large (8 & 1/4″- 9 & 1/4 “) and dark-gray, Catbirds have a chestnut patch at the base of their tail. Catbirds head north in spring, having spent the winter along the Gulf coast of Florida and Central America.

Birds love to bathe. A bird bath with 1-2 inches of clean water is all that’s needed. Any more and a small songbird is in danger of drowning.

‘Faux” waterfall rocks for bird baths and bird ponds create a moving water effect irresistible to birds. The sound of trickling water is soothing and natural. A word of caution: be sure to place your bird bath or bird pond in a location with close access to nearby branches birds can reach quickly. They are most vulnerable when their feathers are made heavier from bathing.

Birds will be very attracted to a moving water bird bath. A bird bath featuring a waterfall rock with a pump will not only help prevent stagnant water. It also provides a resting place for the bird while it is wet from bathing.

Caution: If small children are present, note that they, too, have a fascination with moving water and may pull a pedestal bird bath over on themselves trying to get to the waterfall rock and pump.