“Jump in the shower and the blood starts pumpin’”.
Ah, Dolly. An icon.
But really, there’s no better way than to start or end your day with a good shower (or bath).
They can either get you ready for the day ahead or bring you back down into a state of cleanse after a hard day at the office.
But, as it turns out, humans aren’t the only ones who feel this way.
Birds also relish a good splish splosh.
By adding a bird bath to your yard, you can enable a constant and stable water source for any bird to wash and drink.
And, to top things off, adding a bird bath is one of the single most effective ways of increasing bird diversity into your yard.
Read on to discover why you should add a bird bath into your yard.
Importance of Bird Baths
Like most animals, birds need water to survive.
Birds need water for drinking and bathing.
In the winter months, when natural water sources may become frozen, and in the summer months, when droughts ravage certain regions, a regularly maintained bird bath may be the difference between life and death.
Water for Drinking
Unlike mammals, birds lack sweat glands, meaning they cannot sweat.
So, to cool down, many bird species display gular fluttering. Think of this behavior like the avian equivalent of a dog panting.
However, this means birds lose water through respiration, and will need to be replenished.
Small birds, or those you’re likely to encounter in your yard, lose water at a higher rate than larger birds. These species, such as robins and chickadees, may drink multiple times throughout the day.
Different species of birds drink water in slightly different ways.
Many small bird species drink from the shallow edges of ponds and streams. Of course, these natural formations aren’t always present. So, for garden birds, bird baths provide the perfect opportunity to replenish lost water year-round.
Water for Bathing
Sure, drinking water is vital to stay alive.
But there’s another, equally important, function that birds use water for: bathing.
There are multiple benefits to bathing.
First up, many garden bird species are social. By gathering in groups in a centralized location, such as a bird bath, information exchange can take place.
In summer months, when temperatures are likely to soar, bird baths offer a vital respite from the scorching sun, and allow birds to cool off.
However, the main benefit of bathing is for health purposes and their overall survival.
To many bird species, the ability to fly is a way to escape predators. If their feathers are dirty, or full of parasites, this could lead to infection and disease, which may increase the likelihood a bird may fall victim to predation.
So, to ensure their feathers are in optimal condition, birds will frequent bird baths to keep their feathers cleaned and in pristine condition.
By ruffling their feathers whilst bathing, any dirt, parasites and general nastiness is washed away.
Being clean encourages a bird to groom or, in fancy scientific terms, preen.
After their feathers are washed and cleaned, birds spread a waterproofing oil over their plumage via a preening gland. This is particularly important during cold weather, where any wet and waterlogged feathers are at risk of becoming frozen solid.
Making a Bird Bath
A bird bath does not have to be an expensive addition to your backyard.
In fact, with a little tender love and care, you can make your very own bird bath from everyday items.
First up, you need a shallow basin that retains water. Nothing fancy here, a simple trash can lid, plant tray, or even an old bowl. This is a great way to put your upcycling skills to the test.
Next, you’ll want to find a suitable place in your garden to secure the bird bath.
You’ll want to aim for a flat and open piece of land. Not only will a flat area keep the bird bath stable and prevent toppling, it’ll also decrease the likelihood of any predators sneaking up on unsuspecting birds.
Where possible, try and elevate the bird bath off the ground – even if it’s just a couple of inches or so. To do this, place bricks or logs (or any other similar substrate) under your basin.
Now, all that’s left to do is fill your new bird bath with water and watch the action unfold.
Be reserved with the quantity of water you add – you only need about an inch of water.
If possible, add a few stones or logs into the basin itself. This gives the opportunity for a range of birds to perch in-between bathing.
Birds will be cleaning daily, so you’ll want to make sure you clean the water in the bird bath regularly to avoid the buildup of potentially harmful bacteria and algae.
Should I Add a Bird Bath to My Yard?
As we’ve just discovered, bird baths are incredibly important for the survival of birds themselves.
However, thinking more selfishly, bird baths are a great addition in your yard for a variety of reasons.
1. Higher Biodiversity
Firstly, you will find that you can attract more birds to your yard with a bird bath, compared to just feeders alone.
And this makes sense, if you think about it.
Birds are specialized feeders. Some are adapted to eating seeds. Others go for fruit and nectar. Some birds eat insects.
It is unlikely you’ll find a feeder that will attract all bird species.
A bird bath, however, is universal. Nearly all birds require water daily, and will be more inclined to visit your garden if a bird bath is present.
With a higher diversity of birds, you and your family can enjoy hours of endless (and free) entertainment.
2. Pest Removal
With an increased diversity of birds in your yard, you now have more hungry mouths to feed.
Thankfully, an array of backyard species, such as bluebirds, sparrows, swallows and pheobes gorge on insects.
In the summer months, these birds will feast on large quantities of mosquitoes and other pest insects that may cause harm to us humans.
So, by providing a bird bath in your yard, you’re saving yourself money in pest removal. Win win.
Final Thoughts
Bird baths don’t have to be expensive and complicated garden structures.
With the right materials, you can create your very own for a fraction of the price – unleash your creativity.
Not only is the setup relatively easy, the benefits of having a bird bath are a great addition for any yard.
Not only will you be helping bird populations survive environmentally challenging months, such as freezing winters and scorching summers, you’ll also be increasing the biodiversity in your garden, as well as ridding yourself of any unwanted pests in the process.
Afterall, you can attract more bird species with water, than you can with a bog-standard bird feeder.
