Place water 15 feet from cover. Trees and shrubs are ideal – they provide a safe place for the ‘washed bird’ to perch and fluff feathers until they dry.
Be careful about water depth. 1”-2” is perfect. Any deeper, and birds can drown. If you have a deep water feature, put in rocks to bring the bottom up near the surface. This will be safer for the birds, and reduce the amount of water needed.
| Level | What To Do | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Simple | Provide water from spring through fall | Bird bath |
| Middle | Provide winter water | Heated bird bath |
| Advanced | Provide running water | Purchase or build a shallow bath with a reservoir and pump. Running water does not provide a home for mosquito larva, and a pump with a filter will keep the water cleaner. |
| Top-flight (as it were) | Provide multiple water types | Small containers are perfect for little birds Water at different heights attracts different birds Have some rocks in the sun, splash water on them to provide water for butterflies A misting device will attract hummingbirds |
Clean baths regularly to remove algae and avoid spreading disease. Many sources recommend a 10% bleach to water solution, followed by thorough rinsing. We have had good success using a simple kitchen scrubber.