No garden is complete without a bird bath and bird feeders. No stroll through nature is perfect until you can hear birdsong wafting through the air. Birds play a vital part in our ecosystem, and it’s a joy to have them on our property. That is unless you have a cat. In that case, you should probably avoid a bird bath altogether! If you’re in the market for this sort of garden feature, you may want to consider some of the following suggestions. In addition, we have searched far and wide for the top-rated bird baths in 2023, all of which will complement your home garden set-up.
Want to know more? Check out the rest of the article below!
If you have taken a look at our suggestions for the top bird baths in 2021 and want something a bit different, you may want to peruse the rest of our buying guide.
Attracting varied colored birds to your garden is not easy. While adding bird baths and bird feeders can invite many, you must understand what makes a perfect bird bath. Here, we have narrowed down things that you should consider when buying a bird bath. These includes:
Size
Small bird baths are easy to move and clean and might be your only option for the outdoor space you have. However, they can dry out quickly.
Larger models are beneficial if you have the space for them because they can accommodate many birds at once. Small bird fountains can cause territorial conflicts but having a larger one makes this less likely. Your backyard birds won’t mind sharing that extra space. The downside of having a large bird bath is they are more challenging to clean or move than smaller models.
There are many styles of bird baths available and some unique designs you may not have thought could exist. Whatever your taste, there is a bird bath for you. Choosing a bird bath design that you don’t like will make you less inclined to keep it filled and clean. Choose a bath that matches your personality, garden décor, and style preferences to make sure you find it visually appealing, both with or without the presence of birds. Go for hanging bird bath if you have a pet in house, as higher elevation will ensure safety of birds.
Opt for a bird bath that is a suitable and proportional size for your garden space. Although you may like the thought of having an elegant and elaborate bird bath in your small yard, you may find that it takes up too much space for you to maneuver freely around your garden. You may also find that it prevents you from adding anything else to your garden. A large, ornate bird bath fountain might be considered pretentious and out of place in a tiny yard by others. In contrast, a simplistic design can fade into the background in a lush, elaborate garden.
While hanging bird bath can be another option for many who has less garden space, they can also be unstable and may spill or splash as they swing.
Ideally, bird baths are designed with birds in mind. For small birds, the narrow edge is a comfortable perch. Bird baths should accommodate tiny talons by offering various textures along the basin. The best basin for birds will be 1-2 inches deep. Some models include both deep and shallow areas of the basin to accommodate backyard birds of different sizes.
Whatever, bird bath design you choose, adding bird feeders alongside with surely invite more birds that you expect.
Stagnant water in a basin will not attract as many birds as running water. A bird bath that includes a water spray, mister, dripper, fountain, or bubbler is the best way to attract a wide variety of bird species.
Mosquitoes are attracted to water (especially still water) and will lay their eggs in it. Moving water reduces the chances of your bird bath becoming a mosquito nursery. Running water also means your bath will develop fewer algae – so you don’t need to clean it as often.
The height of the bird bath should depend on what kinds of local birds visit your garden. Taller baths are better suited to smaller birds as they feel more comfortable having a wider range of view. Larger birds like quail, doves, and ducks prefer drinking from ground-level basins. For attracting birds of a decent variety, consider buying both a tall bird bath and a ground-level basin.
The more elaborate the design of your bird bath, the more difficult it will be to keep clean. This is because dirt can collect in the crevices of the bird bath and create a space where moss and other vegetation can grow. To make life easier, you could opt for a concrete bird bath or a basic plastic basin bird bath. Copper bird baths stay naturally cleaner for longer because copper is an algaecide, meaning it does not allow algae to grow.
The design of the bird bath you choose should reasonably match its environment. For example, there is no point in buying a hanging bird bath if you have nothing sturdy to hang it on. Similarly, only buy a pedestal model if you have even ground to place it on. Alongside, opt for a bird feeder to attract more ground dwelling birds.
If you live in an area with cold winters, you can buy a heated bird bath to stop water in the basin from freezing over. It will not only attract local birds, they will also appreciate water at this time as it is difficult to find in the wild. However, if you live in a hot climate, you should consider how quickly the water in the bird bath will evaporate. To combat fast evaporation, choose a basin with a large capacity.
For a decent-looking bird bath, budget from $25 to $140. This price range will allow you to buy quality bird baths in the style you desire without breaking the bank. If you opt for a simple basin design, you might want to consider adding a spouting fountain. Placing this on top of your bird bath will turn it into a fountain. As mentioned earlier, running water can prevent algae build-up and stop mosquitoes from laying eggs in the bird bath.
To choose the highest-quality bird baths, we compared design with how likely it was for attractting birds. We also judged the bird baths on how easily they were to clean and how much they cost.
Now that you’ve chosen a great bird bath, you’re going to need to know how to attract birds to it. Watch the video below from Wild Bird Center of America to find out how bird bath and bird feeder can attract more birds.
Kicking off our list of the best birdbaths is the Vivohome Antique Bird Bath. This great little number is designed with an elegant European style. The hollow base makes it easy to move around, so you can place it anywhere in the garden without fuss – perfect for anybody who likes to rethink their style every couple of months. The PP material and resin coating ensure this birdbath can withstand the elements. It is also highly unlikely to break or fracture. If you want some extra stability, you can fill the pedestal with stones.
The Pure Garden Antique Birdbath is a classy addition to any garden, especially considering the intricate scrollwork and antique finish. If you want to turn your garden into a picturesque paradise, this is an excellent place to start. The item is also reliable and sturdy, thanks to the quality polyresin materials. Pure Garden also includes ground stakes to help support the birdbath on grassy surfaces. In addition, you can fill the center post with sand to weigh it down, which will come in handy if you live somewhere that can be unpredictably windy.
This Best Choice Birdbath is yet another stylish garden feature designed to attract birds and other wildlife into your garden. The vintage antique style suits a variety of gardens and outdoor spaces. With plenty of favorable reviews and a modest price point, you really can’t go wrong with this birdbath. It also comes in three different colors, all of which are pleasing to the eye.
As should be expected, the Best Choice Birdbath also has a fillable pedestal column to prevent it from tipping over, making it an ideal watering station for birds in all sorts of weather conditions.
Available in bronze or green, this Alpine Corporation Birdbath is nothing short of spectacular. The shallow and wide bowl means small birds can drink and bathe without any issue. The fountain design looks and sounds great in your garden, especially against the backdrop of birdsong.
This birdbath isn’t too big, so it’ll fit comfortably in any outdoor space, even if your garden is on the small side. You’ll also find that it’ll take a lot to knock this birdbath over, and it has a very durable and reliable construction.
If you are looking for something different, why not try this Mumtop Glass Birdbath? We were blown away by the design of this unique garden feature – it looks as though it belongs in some faraway fairy village rather than your backyard! The design of the bowl is very attractive and the four-pronged bottom spikes provide a pleasing level of stability.
Of course, the glass construction means this birdbath is less durable than some of the other products on our list.
This Peaktop Birdbath is the second product on our list to be made from glass. This time, the bowl is shaped in a gorgeous mosaic flower pattern. When the sunlight catches the glass, the whole birdbath seems to light up in a rather magical way.
But this birdbath isn’t just beautiful, it is also practical. The metal stand is incredibly sturdy and designed for years of outdoor use; it also folds away so you can easily store and relocate the birdbath whenever you see fit.
If you are looking for a multi-purpose birdbath, you can do a lot worse than the Art & Artifact Solar Lamp Birdbath. This product can be used as a watering hole for wild birds, wireless outdoor lamps, and even a stylish flower planter. The design is somewhat unique and the hollowed-out base is great for filling with your favorite greenery or blooms. It is also topped with a solar-powered LED light for atmospheric garden relaxation time.
Whether you are buying this birdbath for yourself or as a gift, it’ll prove to be a great purchase… and not just with the birds!
A: Bird baths should be placed in the shade. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, many birds use bird baths to cool off in the heat, and the shade will keep the water in the bird bath cooler for longer. Keeping the water cool also means that less amount will evaporate and, hence, the basin will require refills less often. Algae can grow rapidly in a basin of water, leading you to need to clean it more often. Compared to being in the sun, algae production is slower in the shade.
A: There are several reasons birds might not use your bird bath. First, the water in your bird bath might be too deep - as mentioned before, the ideal depth of a bird bath should be 1-2 inches deep. Second, your bird bath might be too colorful. Birds will avoid bright colored bird baths in case it attracts predators. Instead, opt for bird baths with more natural earthy tones. Also, your bird bath might be too slippery. For a bird to drink from your birdbath, it needs to get a good grip with its feet. Bird baths require a bit of cover. If your bird bath is out in the open, your feathered friends will be too wary of predators to use it.
A: Common practice dictates that a bird bath requires its water to be changed every two to four days. If you have a more sophisticated model that keeps the water running, then it might require you to change the water less frequently.
