Attracting more birds with water

[Birdzilla]

Water is often called the "magic attractant." One of the very best ways to attract more birds to the backyard is through the addition of a bird bath. Birdbaths can even increase the number of different kinds of birds that visit.

Pedestal baths, in/on ground baths and hanging baths all work well, and a combination works even better.

Many commercial birdbaths are available and it is simple to make your own. An upside down plastic trash can lid, placed in a shallow depression in your garden, with just a little landscaping around it, can look great and will be well appreciated my many species.

Plan on rinsing the birdbath every 3 days or so, depending on how much use it gets, and always at least once a week to make sure mosquito larvae do not have time to develop.

The sound of moving water also helps attract birds. There are commercial misters (small birds like to leaf bathe) and drippers as well as waterfall rocks that can be added to existing birdbaths.

On a hot, Texas summer day and cool birdbath is often just the birds need. One final note, the water should be shallow, about 1 1/2" - add sand or stones to create a shallow end if necessary.

[Nadine]

I think that changing the water out every 4 days is best. The Bt dunks are fine, except that birds seem to like them for a snack. Either that, or they take them out of the bath. Have you noticed birdbaths in the shade form a green algae while ones that get a lot of sunlight form red algae?

[Tricky Grama]

I don't know how anyone gets by w/changing birdbath water only every 3-4 days! I have a concrete one & spray it out 3-4 times a day in the summer otherwise it's really icky if not empty by the end of the day.
Patty

[sandih]

I guess you are fortunate that you have enough available time to tend to a birdbath that many times in one day!