http://www.care2.com/greenliving/tips-for-buying-a-birdbath.html
Tips for Buying a Birdbath
Adapted from Natural Gardening for Birds by Julie Zickefoose and the Editors and Writers of Bird Watcher's Digest.
Interest in birdbaths and water features in the backyard landscape is growing. Many birders say that it is much more fun to watch birds bathe than it is to watch them sit on a feeder and stuff their beaks.
When shopping for a birdbath, look for three key features:
1. The bathing basin should be less than 3 inches (8 cm) deep—and you should fill it with only 2 inches (5 cm) of water. Most songbirds won’t bathe in water that’s any deeper than that; they prefer to hunker down in a depth that barely reaches the bottoms of their bellies.
2. Make sure the bottom of the bathing basin has a rough surface. Many birdbath bottoms are often too slick to provide secure footing for birds, especially when a coat of algae forms on submerged surfaces. If you can find only a smooth surface basin, rough it up with sandpaper or the claws of a hammer (for plastic basins only!) before filling it with water.
3. Make sure the basin fits securely on the pedestal and won’t be subject to tipping by thirsty dogs, raccoons, deer, or, in wilder reaches, bears. No one wants to pick up an overturned birdbath every morning, and few folks want to replace a broken basin every time in thirsty critter tries to scale the pedestal.
You can search for a one-piece birdbath, or you could use a waterproof adhesive to attach the basin to the pedestal. Also, weight the base or sink it in the ground to minimize tipping over.
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add your comment »A large enough rock or brick can be placed in the middle of the bird bath for them to perch on and drink....they seem more secure there sometimes
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A large enough rock or brick can be placed in the middle of the bird bath for them to perch on and drink....they seem more secure there sometimes
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I clean birdbaths daily, sweep emtpy seeds every second day, scrub the area with water and soap, to eliminate cross-infections, take feeders inside at night, so rats can't get into them and dirty them, On very hot days I spray the area with cold water, before feeding time, to cool the birds, I provide 12 to 15 feeders, so lots of birds can feed at once. I refill after 1/2 hour or when they are spitting "chips". They love me, we talk, they even leave their babies here with me sometimes. Things I do for love...
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Some really important points about birdbaths were overlooked here. First, it's important to refresh the water on at least a weekly basis to reduce mosquito larvae from hatching. If you buy a birdbath with a fountain, you won't have to worry about mosquitos breeding as the eggs cant' hatch in agitated water.
Secondly, if you're going to purchase a birdbath, definitely buy a solar one. I have one myself with a fountain that automatically goes on when full sun hits it. I love it and would never buy a non-solar birdbath again.
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