Bird baths are a fun, functional, and decorative addition to any property. They don’t just spruce up your backyard; they attract birds, allowing you to connect with nature right from the comfort of your home.
You get to see and experience different bird species at different times of the year. If the idea of having finches, warblers, and woodpeckers fluttering about in your garden sounds like a dream, a bird bath is precisely what you need to make it come true.
Some baths look great but do nothing to draw in the birds. Others do a pretty decent job attracting different bird species but do nothing to raise the aesthetic value of your property.
What exactly makes the best bird bath? This article explores 13 different types of bird baths that will turn your garden into a fluttering haven for your feathered friends.
Where to Buy Bird Baths
The first thing you’re probably wondering is – where does one buy a bird bath? They are readily available both online and in physical retail stores like Walmart. It all comes down to the specific style or design you’re looking for as well as how much wiggle room you have in your budget.
That said, there’s a sea of bird baths to choose from. The challenge lies in picking the right one for your garden. Below are a few things you need to keep in mind when choosing the best bird bath for your backyard.
1. Type of Bird Bath
The first thing you need to consider is the specific type of bird bath you need to get. Here’s an overview of some of the typical ones you’ll come across in your search for the best one.
Suspended Bird Bath
These are arguably the most common types of bird baths you’ll encounter and with good reason. They’re great for bird lovers who don’t have the luxury of a big backyard where they can place a standalone bird bath.
They are often small and shallow, which makes them convenient to clean, easy to maintain, and perfect for apartment balconies or decks. If you have trees with lower hanging limbs, these baths will complement your garden aesthetic perfectly. They’re small, functional, and will pretty much do the job.
Deck-Mounted Bird Bath
If you want a bird bath that will give you a nice close-up view of the birds as they flutter around your back porch, a deck-mounted bird bath would be a great option to consider. They are small and easy to clean and usually come in both fixed and adjustable models. Be sure to get one that fits your deck since they come in varying board widths.
Wall-Mounted Bird Bath
Wall-mounted bird baths are quite similar to their deck-mounted counterparts. The only difference is that you mount them on the wall instead of directly on the deck. They also offer excellent close-up views of birds bathing in and drinking water.
Over-the-Railing Bird Bath
These are similar to the deck and wall-mounted varieties. The distinguishing factor is that they are mounted over a railing instead of a deck or wall. They are lightweight, cheap, easy to clean, and easy to install.
Ground Bird Bath
A ground bird bath is exactly what it sounds like – a bird bath mounted on ground level. They are usually quite portable and allow you to move them around until you find an optimum spot that your birds love. Ground bird baths provide the most natural-looking water source for birds since they mimic the puddles and brooks birds would ordinarily drink from in nature.
One Piece Standalone Bird Bath
These are significantly larger and bulkier than the other options we’ve outlined so far. They come in a wide variety of designs, the most popular being the pedestal models. If you have a larger garden to work with, a one-piece, standalone bird bath will complement it perfectly.
Two-Piece Standalone Bird Bath
This is the classic bird bath design that features a basin mounted on a tall, sturdy pedestal. They are usually quite easy to install and come in a variety of different styles and designs suited to different aesthetic tastes and requirements.
2. Location
The other thing you need to think about when choosing the best bird bath for your garden is where exactly it will be located. The rule of thumb is to give it the most natural placement possible. The lower you can mount it, the more likely it is to mimic a natural spring or puddle out in the wild.
Be sure to incorporate a few branches or stumps to give the birds somewhere they can stand while drinking from the basin without getting wet. This is particularly important when temperatures drop during winter weather.
Consider getting your feathered friends a heated bird bath if you live in a colder climate. They will love you for it. On the other hand, if you live in a warmer region, ensure you place your bird bath under a shade for the water to remain cool and fresh.
3. Maintenance
Smaller baths may be more convenient, but keep in mind that they may trigger territorial issues among your avian creatures. On the flip side, larger baths might be harder and more cumbersome to clean, but they have a larger water capacity, which is ideal for hosting several birds at a go.
4. Bath Size and Bird Comfort
The best bird bath you can get for your birds is one that is built with them in mind. It should come with an appropriately-sized ledge that gives birds with tiny talons something to hold on to. It should also be at least one to two inches deep at the very least to accommodate birds of different sizes. If you can get a model with both shallow and deeper areas, even better.
Birds are attracted to the sound of trickling water. Birds find it irresistible. The added benefit of picking a bird bath with a water flow feature is that it minimizes insect and algae infestation.
13 Best Bird Baths for Your Yard
Now that you know what to look for when choosing the best bird bath for your garden, below are 13 different types of baths that would make the perfect addition to your outdoor space.
1. Bird Bath Fountain
Bird bath fountains are one of the best garden bird baths you can get for your backyard. These usually come with a pump that circulates water into a splashing or waterfall setup. Many of them come with unique designs and structures designed to enhance streams, splashes, and drips.
Some of the ones you might encounter include tiered basins with water flowing into a larger reservoir at the bottom; a single basin with a small bubbler or spray at the center creates an upward water fountain that splashes back into the tub.
2. Heated Bird Bath
When temperatures drop during winter, birds can have a hard time finding a suitable water source. A heated bird bath gives your little feathered friends somewhere they can bathe, drink, and keep warm during the cold winter months. The bird baths for sale in this category usually come in two designs – pedestal and mounted.
3. Ceramic Bird Bath
Ceramic bird baths come in several different shapes, sizes, styles, and colors to choose from. Whether you are looking for something unique and eccentric or classic and sophisticated – there’s a huge selection of ceramic bird baths on the market.
One of the main benefits you get from them is – they’re a lot easier to clean than bird baths made of stone or porous concrete. They are also quite sturdy and less likely to be knocked over by strong winds.
4. Stone Bird Bath
If a classic look is what you’re going for, a stone bird bath is just what you need for your outdoor decor. Functionally, it’s one of the most durable materials you can choose for your bird bath. It is exceptionally durable and safe for your feathered friends.
5. Copper Bird Bath
Copper bird baths have biostatic properties that provide a hostile environment for algae growth. You will need to clean it regularly, though, since too much copper in birds’ drinking water is poisonous to them.
6. Metal Bird Bath
Metal bird baths look great and are extremely durable. They are designed to withstand a wide range of weather conditions. They do have a slight drawback, though – they get extremely hot in the searing summer sun.
In hot temperatures, the heated metal surface can burn birds attempting to perch on them. Warm water is also the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and algae. If you must use a metal bird bath, ensure you place it in an adequately shaded area to keep it cool throughout the day, even in hot weather.
7. Cement Bird Bath
Whether you’re getting a cement bird bath to mount on a pedestal or base or buying one that fits directly on the ground, these bird baths are best suited for yards rather than balconies. They come in a wide range of designs that would look right at home in a Victorian-style estate or a minimalist outdoor setting.
8. Glass Bird Bath
If there’s one word that perfectly describes glass bird baths, it would be – stunning. They are so beautiful that many end up indoors as art decor. Most glass bird baths are fairly small with thin rims that don’t provide much support in terms of being a suitable perching surface. They are the least functional and most fragile of the lot. On the flip side, they’re some of the best unique bird baths you’ll ever come across.
9. Fiberglass/Plastic/Resin Bird Bath
Bird baths made of fiberglass, plastic, or resin mimic ceramic and stone finishes remarkably well. They’re quite lightweight, extremely sturdy, and won’t crack even in extreme weather conditions. If you’re looking for something durable and affordable, this would be your best bet.
10. DIY Bird Bath
You don’t have to buy a bird bath to give your feathered friends a clean and fresh water source to drink and bathe in. You can make one yourself using the materials you find lying around your home.
For instance, you can stack teapots, teacups, and saucers to create a whimsical bird bath for your feathery friends. Alternatively, you could suspend a plant hanger from your deck or a tree in your garden and place a small bowl of water at the center to serve as the bath. It’s all up to your imagination and creativity.
11. Wooden Bird Bath
Although they look elegant, wooden bird baths may not be as durable as some of the other options we’ve explored so far. If you have an old tree stump lying in your backyard and aren’t willing to pay someone to come and grind it for you, you can convert it into a DIY bird bath.
12. Flower Bird Bath
This design integrates a flower pot and bird bath all in one. You’d essentially plant your flowers in the potted part below and then mount a planter saucer at the top so that birds can drink from it or bathe in it. It’s a great DIY project you can try out.
13. Repurposed Sink Bird Bath
If you have an old sink that’s lying around your home, you can give it a new lease of life by converting it into a bird bath. All you have to do is build a base for it using some bricks or some type of pole and then mount the sink on top of it. Plug the drain, fill it up with water, and let the birds drink and bathe in it.
There you have it – the 13 best bird baths for your backyard. If you enjoy watching the playful antics of feathered creatures in your backyard, consider adding a bird bath to your outdoor decor. Pick the best one for your home based on style, convenience, and where you plan to mount it.
In the meantime, are you looking for ways to attract hummingbirds? Check out our blog for some useful tips on how to draw them in and what to feed them.
