No More Average Bird Baths: There's A Find From Amazon That Doubles As Garden Decor

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If you're looking to attract more birds to your yard, one of the best places to start is a bird bath. Bird baths can help you attract a wide variety of birds, including those that may not visit feeders, all while providing your feathered friends a spot to drink and clean themselves. However, because bird baths are a visible part of your yard, you may not want to settle for any option. With this Amazon product's built-in feeder, you can have a bird feeder that pulls not just double but triple duty by combining water, food, and decorative value.

The Mellbree bird bath retails for around $17, depending on what size you purchase, as it comes in three different options for its basin diameter: 10, 12, and 13 inches. It's made out of solid iron with a weather-resistant coating and has a blue covering that adds a splash of color to your garden. Paired with the flower-shaped platform feeder, the decorative vine perch, and other eye-catching design feeders, it can be as ornamental as it is functional, which helps it to double as garden décor while still attracting more birds to your outdoor spaces. It has a five-prong stake for added durability as well, with one reviewer noting that it is "well-made and stood up to the squirrel jumping from the fence without breaking or falling over." It currently has a 4.3-star rating across over 180 reviews.

Although the Mellbree bird bath comes ready to use for attracting more birds to your yard through both food and water, all while boasting visual appeal with its decorative appearance, there are ways to elevate it further. This includes choosing methods that make it far more inviting to your feathered friends without taking away from its ability to double as garden décor as well.

One of the most notable factors that influences use with the Mellbree bird bath is that it's a metal bird bath. As a result, on warmer days, the metal heats up and the water evaporates faster. This means that you likely want to choose a spot with coverage. Of course, it's best to place bird baths in the shade anyway for cleaner, healthier water that requires less frequent changes. It doesn't need to be full shade; partial shade can also help provide ideal conditions for backyard birds. You can also attract more birds to your bird bath by making it more accessible. This includes adding visually appealing stones to the basin of your bird bath to reduce the likelihood of drowning and create a more comfortable experience. Since the Mellbree birdbath does have a design at the bottom, you may wish to choose decorative rocks that help elevate this feature, balancing appearances and safety.

Although the Mellbree bird bath is described as having a rustproof, weather-resistant coating, some reviewers noted that problems with rust still occurred. One reviewer noted that their bird bath developed several spots of rust after weeks of use. It's important to remember that rust can depend greatly on the local environment, and not everyone will have the same experience with a product, especially with something outdoors-dependent like a bird bath. Fortunately, if you are worried about rust developing, there are tips to help it last longer functionally and visually.

One of the best ways to protect a bird bath from the elements is by choosing a wildlife-safe sealant. Picking a sealant that's safe for animals is absolutely essential here, since they may bathe and drink the water in the bath. Fortunately, there are various options to choose from that are safe for metal bird baths. Tung oil, for example, is a natural, food-grade sealant that helps prevent metal birdbaths from rusting. Just be sure to choose a 100% tung oil option that's marketed as safe for bird baths and wildlife, as some options that don't specify such may include other additives. This will act as a clear sealant that won't change how well this bird bath can double as garden décor.

There are also ways to clean and remove rust from metal. You'll just need to use bird-friendly solutions here too. You can use vinegar or baking soda, then rinse the area thoroughly and reseal with a wildlife-safe sealant. This may take a toll on appearance, however, so prevention is typically best to preserve this bath's visual appeal.