Birds love water, and they need it to keep cool and to keep their feathers clean.

You don’t need to buy a traditional birdbath. You can use any flat, wide container placed on a flower pot to substitute as a traditional birdbath. But setting up a real bird bath not only adds beauty to your yard, it also provides the specific types of water features birds are attracted to most.

Following are three tips on the selection and placement for your new birdbath.

1. Choose the Right Birdbath

Choosing the right birdbath is important. Make sure the birdbath you choose has a shallow area. If your bird bath is too deep, then smaller birds will avoid bathing there. If you want to get creative, you can add flat rocks to deeper bird baths to create a ledge to attract smaller birds.

2. Moving Water in a Birdbath

The sound of moving water is paramount to attracting birds. The sound of running water is what alerts birds to the presence of water and will act as a catalyst in attracting birds to your yard. You can create this running water in your bird bath by using a simple bubbler, dripper, or fountain pump.

3. Birdbath Location

Set up your birdbath in an open area but in close proximity to cover. The more open space around your birdbath, the more birds are going to come to bathe. Birds have natural predators, and the open space will not allow predators to hide anywhere near your birdbath. This provides a feeling of safety for the birds and will keep them coming back to bathe in your yard.

Stop by and visit Backyard Birds in Matthews and let our birding experts help you pick out the right birdbath for your backyard friends. We carry a variety of clay, concrete ,granite and cast iron baths to suit your landscaping needs. Prices vary from $28.95 – $369.95