Drinkers And Dabblers
Georgann Schmalz
Birding Adventures,Inc.
Can you imagine anything more entertaining than Carolina Chickadees doing acrobatics on your birdfeeder?
Have you wondered what could be finer than watching a Downy Woodpecker steal morsels of suet from a wire basket?
What other single feature could entertain you more than a dozen American Goldfinches dripping from a thistle feeder?
Water. Dripping, misting, spraying, trickling. Water.
Water is essentialfor birds. Their cells and tissues require it to function properly. In hot, dry weather the lack of water can be more immediately life threatening for birds than the lack of food.
And without daily bathing,feathers become soiled, matted and covered with dirt, lice and mites. Only clean fluffy feathers can effectively insulate and protect a bird`s body against winter`s cold, summer`s heat, every day rain and parasites.
How much do birds actually depend upon a bird bath? If you have ever observed a Northern Parula daintily splash in an early morning dew puddle on a Magnolia leaf or watched a Red-headed Woodpecker dip its red head into a water filled crevice of a tree, you could easily be convinced of the resourcefulness of birds. Yet, with days, weeks and even months of dry weather or the ice of winter, an additional source of water may save a few lives now and then.
But for no other reason, bird baths are a great way to enjoy the plunging, dabbling, dipping, splashing and pure exuberance that emanates from a bird in water.
Water is also an easy method of attracting birds. Unlike bird seed, no one has yet tried toconfuseus with fruit flavoring or mixed it with other forms of fluid. I tonly comes in one color and texture. Water is never too big or small,too hard or soft, too filling or non nutritious. We don`t worry about the calories or fat content. It`s simple.
The only choice you have with water is how you present it to birds. A bird bath can be as simple as a saucer on a tree stump or as sophisticated as a fountain with a heater,dripper and pump. Bird baths can hang from tree branches or be stylishly incorporated into a landscape complete with fish, pond lilies and decorative rocks. The only rules for success are to make the bath attractive and safe. When you select or build a bird bath keep in mind its design, location and cleanliness.
DESIGN
The best material for a birdbath is a durable plastic or one of the new plastic type compounds. Ceramic and clay will eventually crack from freezing temperatures and are often heavy and more difficult to clean. The surface should be a roughened texture or have tiny ridges for easy gripping. Slippery metal or plastic can be improved by adding a few textured tub and shower strips.
Choose a bird bath than hasa rim wide enough for tiny feet of songbirds. A few flat rocks placed around the edge of a bird bath gives the birds a landing surface othert han the edge. At the same time, flat rocks help to reduce the depth of the water to one inch or less allowing small birds to stand in the bath and splash around.
The most successful baths involve moving water. Birds absolutely cannot resist moving water. Birds that normally forage high in the canopy or skulk low in the under brush are magically attracted to the sight and sound of moving water. A dripping garden hose or a plastic milk jug with a small hole in the bottom hung over the bird bath will do just fine. If you are concerned about what your neighbors may think about milk jugs in your trees, you can purchase inexpensive sprayers, misters or drippers that sit in or attach to the bird bath. There is even a design for a pond that is so shallow it consists solely of trickling water and riffles one to two inchesdeep. Warblers, thrushes and tanagers that usually avoid bird feeders,entertain the pond`s designer with their bathing antics each spring and fall.
Providing water in the freezing winter is as necessary as in a dry summer. Using a submersible heater can keep the water warm and ice free all winter.
CLEANLINESS
Water in any bird bath becomes contaminated by fallen leaves, drowned insects, algae and bacteria from feathers, feces and seeds. The best and easiest solution for cleanliness and safety is to simply dump out the water every day. If a few days or a week slips by when you are out-of-town, clean it with a soft brush and a little Clorox, making very sure that you have rinsed it thoroughly.
LOCATION
Shallow ponds or bird baths placed on the ground or low stump are the most attractive to birds. Unfortunately, the threat of lurking cats may be a serious problem. Since safety is a priority, your bath may need to be elevated at least four or five feet. Other predators such as Cooper`s and Sharp-shinned Hawks like to sneak up on unwary splashers and dabblers. Locate the bath within five to ten feet of surrounding branches of shrubs and trees to shelter it somewhat from a cruising hawk.
Those same branches will also provide a safe retreat for post bathing preening. Soggy birds need a few moments to sort and smooth their plumage, adding to your enjoyment of watching them during one of their few quiet moments.
And lastly, if you have bird feeders located in the vicinity be sure that perched birds do not sit above the water of your bird bath.
So, if you have considered a bird bath, visit a local bird shop or thumb through the ads in a birding magazine. There are a dozen or more styles of baths and places to purchase them. Remember, only your imagination limits you to the design and accessories. And only the thrill of your first bather, dunker and diver will reward your imagination.