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Work Wonders With Bird Baths!
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Birds will visit your backyard just for the water, and water will keep them coming back. The reason? Not all birds eat seed ... some eat insects or fruit. Your seed feeders won't attract these birds ... but water will.
To avoid dehydration birds must have water to
drink year round. Water is also needed for
digesting food since birds do not have salivary glands.
Water is also necessary for bathing to keep feathers in good condition. After a bath, it's time for feather maintenance. As feathers dry, birds will carefully preen so feathers will be functional. Feathers that are clean and in good condition help regulate a steady body temperature.
We're extremely pleased to share a source for the most amazing water environments for your backyard. Whether your needs are simple or extravagant don't miss browsing this exciting array of
Bird Baths and Fountains.
You'll also find some great sprinklers, misters, water heaters and other accessories. We'll venture to say that you may not find so many great ideas anywhere else.
At first, they will usually lower their breast into the water. Then they'll dunk their wings and splash water over their backs as they lower their tail into the water. As you watch them flapping their wings and splashing you'll really appeciate how much they truly enjoy the ritual. After a few shakes they'll fly off to a safe place to preen and dry their feathers.
Some birds bathe more than once a day . . . these bathing beauties are robins, sparrows and thrashers. The flycatchers have their own style of bathing, they stay airborne and skip across the water then continue on to a perch. Some hummingbirds also like to bathe "in flight" by skimming over the water or dashing through a mister. But the hummers will also get all the way in and splash around like other birds. Some birds, like flickers, are happy to share a bath. While other birds like privacy. There is a great deal of pleasure in store watching parent birds bring their offspring . . . and the crowd usually attracts others. Some birds like to sit and wait for others to finish bathing --- they are the shy ones. Others are not so patient and will dive bomb the bathers.
Is water necessary for birds in the winter? Absolutely! Life can be harsh when it's really cold outside.
If necessary, birds can convert snow to water if creeks and ponds are frozen. But think about it . . . the energy needed to convert snow uses up energy badly needed to stay warm. As far as the need for water goes, providing unfrozen water in bird baths is a great way to help winter birds.There are several ways to keep water available to wintering birds:
- Refill your bird baths with warm water to thaw ice.
- Solar bird baths have a covered, insulated, solar-heated bowl that keeps water from freezing down to 20 degrees. These baths must be kept in the sun. Birds are able to drink, not bathe, through hole in the cover.
- Use a variety of heater, either an immersion-type or a bird bath with a heating coil built into the base. Most of these bird baths have a thermostat turn-off in case the bath runs dry or gets tipped over.
The most natural placement is close to the ground. But that might not be the most ideal spot if the threat of cat attacks are a concern. A wet bird is no match for a stalking cat or predatory hawk. Locating your bird bath under trees or a patio roof is a security measure if you have predators in your neighborhood. An elevated water source, such as a pedestal-based bird bath, is actually preferred by some species.
There are a couple of points to keep in mind when choosing the best place for your bird bath. It should be placed far enough away from plant cover for the birds to see approaching danger, but close enough to seek refuge. Keeping these points in mind will allow the bird to bathe and preen their feathers in safety.
It is also recommended to place the bird bath away from feeders.
For more about Bird Baths and great resources go to Page 2.
We have a special feathered friend to introduce. You'll discover all about him by joining David's Wild Bird Club . You can also visit Parrots to find out who he is and about all about his friends.
David's mission is to keep you updated. He'll share bird watching information, tips, specials on products you may be considering, and interesting contributions from other members. To join, just add your first name and email address to the form below and you'll be part of our bird loving family.
Yes! David, I'd love a FREE membership to your Private Club!
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