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Common Mistakes That Are Keeping Birds Away From Your Birdbath
By TIM BUTTERS
Unwelcoming
Your yard may be deterring birds rather than your birdbath. Birds may regard pets or noisy children as predators and stone statues can spook them.
Loud music, noisy air conditioning units, and wind chimes can keep birds away. Additionally, using insecticides in your yard could kill off the insects they eat.
Too Deep
Birds want a shallow puddle to wet their beak and dip their claws. A deep bath could cause young, wounded, or ill birds to drown without webbed feet to stand in water.
Ideally, the water in your birdbath should be 1-3 inches. If your bird bath is naturally too deep, place rocks that aren't too smooth without gaps for perching.
Freezing
During winter, ensuring your birdbath has a ready drinking water supply is essential. If you let the water freeze, it becomes unsuitable for drinking.
Use a dark-colored birdbath made of plastic or resin, as they are more frost-resistant and absorb heat from sunlight. Add a ping-pong ball to the bath to prevent it from freezing.
No Perch
Birds like to have a perch nearby to land, preen, and check their plumage after bathing. This feature will instantly make your birdbath a lot more attractive to birds.
If your birdbath needs somewhere for the birds to preen, move it to an area of your yard with tree branches nearby. If you have none, create an artificial perch.
Predators
Birds are skittish creatures, and if wide open spaces surround your birdbath, they're potential sitting ducks for any bloodthirsty cats or hawks.
It is best to place the birdbath in an area that makes the birds feel protected. You can do this by putting one side of the bath near a shed, tree, or even a house.