How to Choose a Bird Bath

Birds bathe in shallow water. Conservation groups recommend water no more than about 1 to 2 inches deep, ideally in a bowl that slopes from a paper-thin edge to a deeper center so birds of different sizes can wade in to a comfortable point.

A rough or textured bowl bottom gives birds secure footing, which matters more than most buyers realize. If a bath you love has a deep or slick bowl, drop a few flat stones inside to create shallow standing spots and better grip.

Resin (polyresin) baths are cheap, rustproof, and light enough to move anywhere, but their light bases tip in wind unless you fill them with sand or water, and the finish can fade after several seasons of UV.

Concrete and glass-fiber-reinforced concrete (GFRC) baths are heavy and wind-stable with a classic stone look, but they can crack if water is left to freeze. Solar baths add moving water that attracts more birds, though the pump only runs in direct sun and is usually the first component to wear out.

Position the bath near cover such as shrubs or a tree, about 10 to 15 feet away, so birds have an escape route from predators but aren't so close that cats can ambush from the leaves.

Partial shade slows algae growth and evaporation and keeps the water cooler. Keep the bath well away from bird feeders so seed hulls and droppings don't foul the water.

The sound and motion of moving water attracts far more birds than a still bowl. A dripper, a bubbler, or an inexpensive floating solar fountain pump can dramatically increase visits.

Moving or regularly refreshed water also discourages mosquitoes from laying eggs, which is one more reason not to let a bath sit stagnant for days.

Change the water every two to three days and scrub the bowl regularly to prevent algae and disease; a stiff brush and a rinse is usually enough, avoiding harsh detergents.

Before hard frost, drain and store concrete baths or cover them, since freezing water expands and cracks the bowl. In cold climates a bath with a built-in or add-on heater keeps water open for birds through winter.