Bird Baths

Bird baths are an excellent way to beautify your garden and bring a more natural feel to your yard. At Prime Liquidations, we have a range of bird baths available for purchase. But it’s important to know the nuances of choosing a bird bath and maintaining it. There are different types of bird baths, different materials and important considerations for both positioning and installation. Keeping informed helps you make the best purchase decisions and give you the best experience with your bird bath.

What is a bird bath?

Bird baths are artificial basins that are filled with water and used by birds. They are commonly used as outdoor decorative pieces in parks or gardens. Bird baths are a popular option for home décor and different types are available to suit different home setups.

Benefits of a bird bath

Bird baths bring a range of benefits in the areas where they are installed. Their primary function is providing birds with a place to drink and bathe. They imitate natural water sources and emulate them to give the birds a feeling of being in their typical environment. This is especially helpful in hot summer months when birds need to cool off. Attracting birds helps bring your yard to life. 

But aside from attracting birds, they also function as aesthetic focal points for your lawn. Many of them have well-crafted and intricate designs that add variety to your yard or garden. There are a variety of styles, materials and colours to fit in with your existing design schemes.

In addition to beautifying your yard, bird baths can actually be beneficial for the garden itself. This is because the birds in your yard will be searching for insects and worms to eat. While looking for food, they end up kicking up soil in parts of the yard. This helps with aeration and helps your garden to flourish.

Types of bird baths

There are a variety of bird bath types available for installation in homes or parks. They can suit anyone depending on their home setup and preferences.

The most common type of bird bath is the standard pedestal bird bath. They include a basin that is situated on top of a sturdy pedestal. They make an excellent choice for a garden or yard bird bath. With greater stability, they provide good flexibility for installation. 

Ground bird baths are another type, which is incorporated more directly into the environment. They are indented into the ground and provide a more natural format for birds to access the water. 

Hanging bird baths might also be a good choice for some. For these, the basin is suspended and typically hangs from the side of the house. These are usually smaller and more vulnerable to wind and the elements.

Compound bird baths are bird baths that have been incorporated into other structures such as water features that are placed in gardens. Fountains, statues and other similar features often double up as bird baths.

When deciding on which type of bird bath works for you, consider your personal home setup. Everyone is different and should choose the type that is easiest to incorporate on a practical and decorative level.

Bird bath materials

There are a variety of bird bath materials, so you can choose the one you like best. They all come with their own advantages and disadvantages to take into account.

Stone or concrete options are popular options because they are sturdy and easy to outfit with attractive carved ornamental designs. However, they can be vulnerable to cracking when the weather gets very cold. This can be offset by picking a design that incorporates resin for additional reinforcement.

Some bird baths are made of earthenware such as ceramic or terracotta materials. These are frequently glazed and covered by acrylics or mosaics for an extra element of colour or texture. These are often waterproof and easy to clean, which is a big advantage. However, they might also be more vulnerable to chipping or breaking in some instances.

Metal bird baths are also a popular option for many. The metals used range from aluminium, to copper. These are quite weather-resistant and rarely have issues with damage. However, they often have very smooth surfaces. The lack of texture can make it hard for birds to get a foothold. This can be remedied by utilising sandpaper to roughen the bird bath’s surface.

Where to place a bird bath

Where to place your bird bath depends on your bird bath’s specific features. If a bird bath is smaller and lighter, it might need a location where it’s safe from the elements. Even larger and more solid birdbaths still need to be placed in an area where they can be stable. However, depending on your soil you may want to be careful with the placement of heavy bird baths as it can sink in or cause indentations that damage your garden.

Bird bath installation

The exact method for installing a bird bath will depend on its type. However, the first step for any bird bath installation is typically measurement. Knowing the dimensions of the bird bath allows you to plan effectively.

The next consideration for installation is making sure the bird bath is secure. This is not a concern for ground bird baths. For hanging bird baths, you must make sure they are secured and able to handle the potential rocking from wind. When installing pedestal bird baths, their weight is often enough to keep them secured in place. However, it can be helpful to anchor them in the ground.

The process of anchoring involves digging and placing part of the base under the ground. You then put the dirt back over the base of the bird bath. This provides the highest level of stability.

Cleaning a bird bath

Regular cleaning is important to maintain a favourable appearance for your bird bath and keep the water clean. The water in the birdbath should be replaced every two to four days. Once dirty water is removed, the basin should be thoroughly wiped down with a cloth until the dirt is no longer visible. If the basin is still dirty after being wiped down then it requires more thorough cleaning.

It is best to avoid strong chemicals for bird bath cleaning, as they may be harmful to the birds. A scrub brush and water are typically sufficient for cleaning. The addition of vinegar in the water may also help if there is particularly stubborn droppings or algae in the bird bath. After cleaning the basin, allow it to dry before refilling it with fresh, clean water.

Attracting birds to bird baths

Birds will often find their own way to your bird bath as it is a convenient source for freshwater. However, you can take a few extra steps to make the bird bath more appealing to birds in the area. As part of positioning your bird bath, pick an area with shade. Or alternatively, add something to provide shade. This will prevent it from getting too hot and allow the bird bath to function as an oasis.

Another consideration is to provide perches and places for birds to stand. While they do immerse themselves in water when they want to bathe, they prefer to stand when they want to drink from the bird bath. Adding perches can be as easy as adding some twigs on an angle that birds are able to stand on.

Check out our selection

At Prime Liquidations, we have a range of different bird baths to beautify your home. You can have different designs, different materials and different price points. Have a browse through our selection and find the one that works best for your home. Contact us today if you would like to know more.