the bird watcher's club blog

how do you attract birds with water?

 abuse

You've seen them before: bird baths. Some are concrete, some are plastic, some are colorful, some are gray. But all of them involve water. So how do you attract birds to your backyard with water?

I found four options, but I'm sure there are more. One thing is certain, though: birds are attracted to fresh water! Fountains, drippers, and misters are the three primary ways I've seen to attract birds. What's the key? Moving water, not still water!

• Fountains - $$$ (Expensive solution): You can find water fountain bird baths at almost any garden shop these days. They usually feature a waterfall or a jet of water shooting into the air and landing in the traditional bird bath basin. If you don't have a pre-made fountain bird bath, you can convert your old-fashioned bath by buying a pump. Both powered pumps (plug-in) and solar pumps (pump water as long as the sun is out) can do the trick!
  • Pros: Constant moving water; solar pumps require no electricity or cords; recycles water in the bird bath without the need for a water source; prevents mosquitoes from breeding in the bird bath
  • Cons: relatively expensive solution; solar pumps only work in direct sunlight; electric pumps require power source
• Wigglers - $$ (Moderate Solution): Sure, the same sounds funny, but that's exactly what these devices do. They wiggle the water to create ripples! Battery operated, they simple sit inside your bird bath and wiggle the water.
  • Pros: Simple to use; battery life of about two months; prevents mosquitoes from breeding
  • Cons: battery operated;
• Drippers - $$ (Moderate Solution): Another option to attract birds involves using drippers. These devices will create a steady drip of water into your bird bath. You can also make your own dripper by filling a bottle of water and punching a hole in the bottom, creating the dripping effect.
  • Pros: not as expensive as a new fountain bird bath; create a constant dripping noise for birds; continuous supply of fresh water via a water source (hook-up to your garden hose); prevents mosquitoes from breeding in the bird bath
  • Cons: requires a water source (your garden hose, probably)
• Misters - $ (Inexpensive Solution): These devices look incredibly fun during the summer months! Of course, I'd probably use them on myself, even though they are intended for birds. Misters hook-up to your water hose and create a very fine mist of water. You can either attach it to your bird bath or hang it in a tree so birds can freely perch and bathe in the water. One person online remarked how the hummingbirds in her backyard love the misters and spend twenty minutes at a time in the mist.
  • Pros: relatively inexpensive solution (can find those "Beat the Heat" misters in almost any store and use it as a bird mister); uses fresh water source (garden hose); can be adjusted to use less water than a dripper (conserves more water)
  • Cons: requires water source;

Are these the only ways to attract birds? Of course not! But if you have a bird bath in your backyard, you may want to consider one of these solutions to turn your stagnant water into a moving, watery paradise for the birds.

Do you have any ideas for using water to attract birds to your backyard? Let us know!

Filed under: Lifestyle