Heated Bird Baths - Help Wild Birds Survive the Winter

Wild birds will be attracted to your garden by the sound of running water as they love to bathe in fountains and sprays and they need fresh water for drinking. A heated bird bath will provide fresh water for them throughout the year. It is especially important during the winter months as water may be hard for them to find. By providing fresh clean water you will be helping the birds to survive during the harsh winter months and also make your garden attractive with the sights and sounds of wild birds bathing and playing in your bird bath. A heated bird bath should keep the temperature at about 55F which is the ideal temperature for the birds to bathe or drink.

Location of Your Bird Bath

Always place your bird bath away from any bird feeders as birds need peace and quiet to bathe and drink. It is also a good idea to place a bird bath under overhanging branches which will provide a quick escape route in the event of marauding cats or other predators attacking the birds. if you use a solar powered bird bath or one with a battery-powered electric heater you can place the bird bath anywhere in the garden. A bird bath uses electric cord will need to be placed closer to a power outlet.

Type Of Heated Bird Baths

Solar Powered Bird Baths

Solar powered bird baths use the energy from the sun to heat up the water and optionally to power a fountain. They come in two types with either the solar panels incorporated into the bird bath base or separate. It is easy to set up the type with the incorporated solar panels, just place it in the chosen position. For solar powered birdbaths separate panels you can place it anywhere you like in the garden including in the shade, then place the solar panels somewhere where they will collect the most sunlight.

Electric Powered Bird Baths

Electric powered birdbaths also come in two types, those powered by an electric cord plugged into a power outlet and those with an independent, battery powered heater. The type with electric cord we need to cord trailing from the power supply to the bird bath which can be a hazard to children or animals if it is not buried completely. It also restricts the positioning of the bird bath. Battery powered heaters allow you to place the bird bath anywhere but you'll need to replace the batteries quite regularly.

Advantages of Heated Birdbaths

In addition to providing ice free water for the birds all through the year concrete and marble heated birdbaths also last longer. When the water constantly freezes and melts it can crack a concrete or marble leading to leaks. Keeping the water warm and ice free will prevent this from happening.

Heated Bird Bath Designs

Heated bird baths can be purchased in many different materials and designs. You may find heated bird baths made from concrete, marble, plastic, iron and copper. Copper bird baths are especially attractive and can compliment any other copper ornaments you may have in the garden. All birdbaths should have shallow bowls with water no more than about 3 inches deep. The bottom of the bowl should not be too smooth or the birds will not have a secure footing. If the bowl is too deep you could build it up with rocks which will also provide somewhere for the smaller birds to stand. Sprinkle gravel on the bottom if it is to smooth.

Conclusion

A heated bird bath will attract wild birds all through the year and not only help them to survive the winter but make an attractive focal point for your garden. During the winter months when the garden is mostly dormant while birds visiting your garden can help to make it look much more attractive. If you choose a solar powered bird bath it will not cost anything to run although it may be slightly more expensive to buy in the first place. The extra expense will more than be made up for by the advantages we have detailed here.

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Comments

Sun, 1 Mar 2009 at 2:18 AM, by Joe
Garden Harvest Supply is a good online source for heated and regular bird baths. http://www.gardenharvestsupply.com/category/bird-baths

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