Help! The Birds Are Not Using My Bird Bath

Table of Contents

Why Are The Birds Not Using My Bird Bath?!

Why are the birds not using my bird bath?! It’s a question that many panicked bird bath owners ask themselves. You’ve done all of your research. You’ve chosen the right material for your bird bath. Your bird bath is even in the perfect location in your yard. Nonetheless, the birds don’t seem to like your new bird bath and are not coming to drink or bathe. What can a frantic bird bath owner do? Here are some tips that will get birds to use your bird bath

Reason #1: It’s Not Safe!

Why are the birds not using your bird bath, you ask? It’s because the birds don’t feel safe! If the neighborhood birds are exposed to predators when they visit your bird bath, they won’t feel safe and will stay away. Consider where you’ve placed your bird bath. The ideal placement is near trees, branches or shrubs to provide a quick escape route if needed. If you own a cat, keep the cat indoors if possible. The bath should not be placed in areas that are completely open. This increases exposure to predators who prey on birds.

Consider the depth of your bird bath. If it is too deep, the birds will be in danger of drowning and will not feel safe. If the depth of your bird bath is greater than 2 » place some stone or marbles in bowl so that birds can drink without getting wet.

A bird bath placement such as this is ideal. The bird bath is near trees, but not directly under them.

Source: http://toneontoneantiques.blogspot.com

Reason #2: There’s Too Much Ice!

If there’s too much ice in your bird bath, birds may not want to use it. The birds are not using your bird bath because it’s winter and you don’t have a bird bath heater. If you live in a colder climate and it’s winter, birds will not visit your bird bath because the water will be frozen. If birds have to melt snow to get water, they expend precious energy, so purchase one of the many bird bath heaters on the market and add it to your bath. You can also buy bird baths with built in heaters. If a bird bath heater is not an option, fill a bowl with water and set it outside at the same time each day. Bring the bowl indoors when ice begins to form.

Never add poisonous substances, such as antifreeze or glycerin, to the bird bath to keep the water from freezing. These chemicals are hazardous to humans and wildlife.

A bird bath deicer, like the K&H 9000 Ice Eliminator, is perfect for keeping your bird bath ice free in temperatures as low as -20F.

Reason #3: Your Bird Bath Water Is Dirty!

Birds are not using your bird bath because your bird bath water is dirty. Cleaning and maintaining your bird bath is one of the most important responsibilities of being a bird bath owner. Dirty, stagnant water attracts insects, encourages mosquitoes to breed in your bird bath, and promotes algae growth. Just like humans, birds do not want to drink dirty water, so make sure you completely drain your bird bath every few days and add clean fresh water. If you own a cement or concrete bird bath, you will need to do a more thorough cleaning periodically to ensure the pores of the bird bath are free of algae and germs. Read this article on how to clean cement bird baths.

If you use anything but non-toxic products to clean your bird bath, make sure to thoroughly rinse your bird bath with clean, fresh water before allowing birds to use it again.

Reason #4: Your Bird Bath Water Is Stagnant!

Birds are not using your bird bath because the water is not moving. The fact that the bird bath water is not moving should not be the sole reason why birds are not using your bird bath, but they will be more attracted to moving water. Commercial products, such as solar powered bird bath pumps, water wigglers or electric or battery operated pumps are inexpensive and keep your bird bath water moving. Birds find the sight and sound of moving water irresistible, so keep things flowing!

A solar powered bird bath pump, like the Ankway Solar Bird Bath Fountain Pump, is a perfect way to keep your bird bath water moving. It is inexpensive to buy and costs nothing to run, because it is 100% solar.

Reason # 5: The Birds Need Food!

Birds are not using your bird bath because there is no source of food nearby. It is not necessary to add a source of food when you want to attract birds to your bird bath, but it will help. If you would like to place a food source in your yard, make sure that your bird bath is not placed directly under the feeder to avoid having seeds fall into the water. There are many types of bird seed you can get for your feeder, depending on the species of birds that you would like to attract. Get a few different types of bird feeders and always keep them full. A combination of food and water offerings will transform your bird back into a beautiful bird habitat.

It’s Not Any Of Those Things, So Why Are The Birds Not Using My Bird Bath?

The birds may not be using your bird bath if it was intended for different types of birds. For example, if you are trying to attract hummingbirds, you shouldn’t buy a traditional bird bath. Traditional bird baths are too deep for hummingbirds and they get most of the water they need by drinking hummingbird water or nectar. If you would like to buy a hummingbird bath, consider a mister, dripper or fountain.

If you follow these tips, you’ll never have to ask yourself why the birds are not using your bird bath!

Sources: http://www.deesnursery.com/t-advice-bird-feeders-basics.aspx