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Bird Baths
A Bounty of Beautiful Bird
Baths
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How much do you know about bird baths? Unless you’re a
bird bath enthusiast, probably not much. I didn’t know much about them
until I began shopping for one in earnest. For example, I thought most
bird baths were pretty much alike – white stone, period. |
After all, that’s what I typically saw from my car window each time
I passed by a garden or
landscaping store. Now I know better. You’ll be
amazed at the variety of bird baths available in the market today!
There are solar bird baths; bird baths made out of ceramic, resin,
cast, mosaic, metal, copper, and even heated bird baths. Now birds
can take a bath in their own heated pool!
A bird bath is a wonderful addition to your landscaping. Nothing
attracts wild birds more than fresh drinking and bathing water,
especially on a hot summer day. Once they feel comfortable and
“safe” in your
yard, they will visit often and stay a while.
However, don’t expect to see wild birds using your new bird bath
as soon as you place it outside. Birds are very cautious and it
may take several days before you see them using your bird bath.
Once they start coming though, they will continue to visit on a
daily basis. Word gets around the “bird neighborhood” fast!
By the way, to make it easier for wild birds to bathe and drink
from your bird bath – especially during the winter months - make
sure the sides are sloped or provide stones for perching for the
smaller birds. It’s also a good idea to keep the water level no
deeper than two inches, otherwise they’ll be frightened of the
water. Additionally, the bottom of the
birdbath should have a fairly rough surface.
Birds feel more comfortable when they have a solid footing.
Keep bird baths free from ice so that wild birds can always come
to your garden for a drink. If you’re using a hanging bird bath,
be sure to brush the snow from branches, especially on conifers,
to ensure they do not break under the weight.
Position bird baths in such a way that it gives birds a clear view
around so they can see any approaching danger.
If you live in an area that experiences harsh winters, you should
bring your bird bath inside to keep it from freezing and cracking.
NOTE: Please don’t put a bird bath on your property if you own an
outside cat or cats are known to prowl your neighborhood on a
regular basis!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do birds bathe every day?
A. A lot depends on the season. If it’s a hot sunny day, a bird
will easily bathe four or five times during the day, but on a cold
winter day birds may not bathe at all. Who can blame them? Would
you jump in a pool or ocean in 10-degree weather? Birds also
appear to have several different bathing habits. Just like us,
some birds prefer to bathe early in the morning, others in the
afternoon, and still others prefer to bathe late in the evening
after the sun goes down.
Q. How often should I clean my bird bath?
A. You want your birds to have clean water available to them at
all times. It should be as free of bacteria as possible to keep
your birds healthy. You can accomplish this by flushing out the
bird bath daily or if it becomes visibly fouled. A weekly scrub
using 9 parts water to 1 part chlorine or bleach will be
sufficient. Don’t forget to rinse it thoroughly before adding
drinking water. Bleach is very toxic to your birds!
Q. Why does a bird at times become so waterlogged that they are
unable to fly?
A. Some birds enjoy their bath so much, they temporarily rob
themselves of the ability to fly. If you notice this happening
often, it’s a good idea to have a perch or small tree branch
situated nearby so your birds will have a safe haven to go balance
on while they dry. A few minutes of vigorous flapping and preening
will soon make them airborne again.
Denyce Rusch has 25 years experience as a designer, graphic and
fine artist. Visit her blog
http://www.framedartdecor.com/decorating
for
home and office decorating ideas.
Source:
High Quality Article
Database - 365Articles.com
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New video
Now
Anyone Can Hand Feed Their Own Backyard Birds This new video will guide you step-by-step through the quick, easy
technique that will open up a whole new world
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whole family can enjoy.
You
will be having more fun than you could ever
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you won't
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The very first time I sat in my backyard to try
this new
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Then as other birds such as
Chickadees, Red-breasted Nuthatches, White-breasted Nuthatches and
Downy Woodpeckers started using the feeder, just as with the Blue
Jays, in only a matter of minutes.....I was
hand-feeding them as well.
click this
Now
Anyone Can Hand Feed Their Own Backyard Birds link
for more information....
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