A bird bath will make a very nice water feature in your garden. However, as well as being aesthetically pleasing you also need to consider your garden birds when buying a bird bath - after all a good looking bird bath will only please us and not the birds.
Bird baths are made in a variety of materials including metal, plastic, ceramic, stone, concrete and fibreglass.
Many bird baths are more ornamental than practical due to the depth of water they hold. Birds feel vulnerable in deep water so will avoid any bird baths where the water depth is over a couple of inches.
The water bowl should also have a gentle slope from its edge to the centre so that birds can bathe or drink in water levels they are most comfortable with.
Choose a bird bath made from a textured material to provide a steady footing for birds so they do not slip on the wet surface. If the bird bath is made of plastic or metal and the surface is very smooth rub it with coarse sandpaper to roughen it up.
If your bird bath doesn't have a flat edge place a small rock or piece of wood in the bath for birds to safely land on before entering the water. They will also perch on it whilst drying off and preening after bathing.
The sound of splashing water is a big enticement for birds so consider buying a bird bath with a fountain or add a portable water pump. You can get solar powered bird baths and pumps which are kind to the environment.
Take a look at this selection of bird baths to find one suitable for your garden.
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