Turn A Simple Birdbath Into A Decorative Feature Birds Will Love

A birdbath is an excellent way to bring more feathered friends into your garden. These small outdoor features are highly beneficial for wildlife, with many backyard birds, from house finches to black-capped chickadees, visiting them to drink and clean themselves. If you already have a birdbath, turn it into a stunning centerpiece by adding rocks, shells, whimsical decorations, and even plants. Adornment adds a touch of fun to an otherwise rather boring feature, but it can also benefit the birds. You can, for example, provide them with a variety of perches.

To transform your birdbath into an avian haven, you first need to decide what decorations you are going to use. The possibilities are pretty much endless — don't be afraid to get super creative with what you add to your birdbath. If you prefer the natural look, you can gather rocks, branches, and stones, giving birds something sturdy to perch on while they drink. To add some cottagecore charm to your birdbath, shop for fairy garden accessories, such as gnomes, woodland creatures, miniature houses, or tiny furniture. Love to rummage for secondhand treasures? There are lots of common thrift store finds you can transform into beautiful garden decor for a birdbath if you're crafty.

Consider adding plants to the birdbath, too. Faux succulents or trailing vines would look great affixed under the rim of the bowl. Avoid adorning your birdbath with artificial plants that contain fruits, nuts, and seeds. The birds may confuse them for the real thing, and try to consume them. Live plants are a safer option. For example, some birds love to eat the seeds of tickseed (Coreopsis lanceolata). If you have a large birdbath, you could even get a few bog plants — try spotted joe-pye weed, sweet flag, soft rush, and pickerel weed.

Once you have gathered your items, it is time to add them to your birdbath and create your garden masterpiece. Plan to work on it in-situ so you don't have to move it once everything is arranged. If your design features small fairy garden accessories, you might want to secure them to the rim of the birdbath — or each other — with landscaping glue for outdoor stones. If you decide to go this route, make sure the glue you use is waterproof and toxic-free. Something like Ag Adhesive Guru Clear Silicone Aquarium Glue is a good option. Let it cure fully before adding water to the birdbath to ensure safety. Of course, you don't have to use glue. Whether you do or not depends entirely on how you are styling your birdbath and what you are adding. You can simply place the decorations into the bath, nestled in river stones to keep them upright.

If you are adding container plants to your display, place them around the base of the bath first. They will probably be the largest addition and will anchor your design. You can grow your bog plants right in the bowl using Pond H2o Round Plastic Aquatic Plant Baskets — the size you choose depends on the plant species and the birdbath dimensions. Then add stones of different shapes and sizes into the birdbath, placing them haphazardly to create perches and vary the water depth. Boost the nature vibes of this arrangement with shells, crystals, and trailing fake plants. Once everything is in place, all that's left to do is fill your birdbath with fresh water. Then stand back and admire how your unique birdbath design adds instant delight to your yard.