Goodbye Basic Bird Baths: There's An Amazon Find That Pulls Double Duty
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Our feathered friends can brighten up any yard with their color and song. They also help out by eating all kinds of bugs, grubs, and other pests. One of the easiest ways to attract more birds to your garden is to provide them with food and water. Normally you'd need two separate products to do this, but the Lounginglife Metal Bird Bath and Feeder offers two reservoirs in an attractive, coordinated design. It is currently available from Amazon for $26.99.
The whole thing is 32.7 inches tall, including the four-pronged base that provides stable support when driven into the ground. Each bowl is 10.6 inches in diameter and 2.4 inches deep, giving plenty of room for food and water. The stand and supporting arms are made of steel for strength, and have a powder coating for durability in all weather. The bowls are made of polypropylene so they won't rust. More importantly, they can easily be removed for cleaning. (Neglecting to clean your feeder is a common mistake that can actually harm birds.) A small amount of assembly is required, which the manufacturer says takes just five minutes. Amazon customers agree that it is easy to do.
The right way to provide food and water to make sure birds stay safe
It's important to put the water in the bowl above the food rather than the other way around. While it's possible that water could splash on the food, it would only be a small amount, which is not much of a problem. If the food is at the top though, the water will get contaminated with seed hulls that the birds discard, as well as their droppings.
You'll want to position the bird bath and feeder where it's relatively easy for you to get to, because the food and water will need to be topped up quite regularly. However, you do need to place it in the shade so the water doesn't get too hot or evaporate. It's also a good idea to put the bird bath and feeder around 10 to 12 feet from trees or bushes. That way, the birds feel safe and have an escape route if they spot a predator. If you want to make your feathered friends feel even more welcome, it's worth exploring the birdscaping tips that will turn your yard and garden into a haven.