‘Enjoy The Birds’ All Year Long By Providing A Clean Bird Bath

BY ALISSA SILBER

Regardless of the season, birds — just like people — need water. Having a bird bath available and ensuring it stays clean is a simple, easy way for people to help our feathered friends.

Connecticut Audubon Society Director of Communications Tom Andersen shared that providing a bird bath is beneficial for birds as well as for people.

“Like all animals, birds need water, and they need it all year round — not just in warmer weather. Finding open sources of fresh water in winter is important,” he said. “They need it to drink and to clean themselves. They splash around in it to get their feathers properly oiled and groomed. Just like anyone else they need to have water pretty much every day.”

People also get the delightful sight of being able to watch the birds.

“Having a bird bath is an extra attraction. They gather there, they perch on the edge, they hop into the water, and if you situate it in the right spot, not too far from the house, you’ll get a great view of them,” Andersen said.

He suggests people place their bird baths in a location near trees or shrubs to give the birds a sense of protection.

“At times they will need to scatter from the bird bath if a predator comes by, like a hawk or crow … they need to feel safe and they will use those places as staging areas as they prepare to move over to the water. They will rest and wait in the shrubs,” Andersen said.

He recommends not placing a bird bath directly under a tree or shrub to help avoid leaves falling into the water.

At Connecticut Audubon Society’s Milford Point Coastal Center, the organization used these guidelines for their large water feature.

“It is like a small man-made pond with recirculating water. We physically planted native shrubs that birds like and that produce fruit during the fall and winter. We specifically planted those in a semicircle/arch around the back, so the birds have a place to gather before they get to the water,” Andersen said.

He acknowledges that constructing a large water feature like that is not realistic for the average homeowner. In his experience any sort of bird bath, whether it be made of concrete or plastic, can attract birds.

“The birds don’t need much. Just a shallow bowl,” Andersen said.

A helpful element to add, though, is a heater to keep the water from freezing. During the winter, water in bird baths can turn to ice, leaving birds to have to look elsewhere for a water source.

Andersen uses a heater in the bird bath at his home, as well as a plug-in fountain for movement and sound.

For the latter, he said, “We don’t use it in the winter, but in the warmer weather, we use it. It does seem to work, and more birds come to it.”

People can also consider placing rocks of various sizes into the bird bath to help prevent birds from accidental drowning.

Cleaning A Bird Bath

Andersen says an effective and safe way to clean a bird bath is to use a mixture of white vinegar and water.

“What we tell people is nine parts water to one part vinegar, so a weak solution of vinegar. Scrub it, rinse it, then put it back,” he explained.

Andersen advises that people not use synthetic soaps, because they can “interfere with the natural oils that coat birds’ feathers.”

As for the frequency of when it needs to be cleaned, he recommends washing it a couple times a week. It may need more or less depending on where the bath is located and its usage.

“A bird bath is basically a puddle. Over time, lots of birds use it and poop in it, leaves drop into it, the wind blows and dust gets into it — it just becomes an unsanitary little puddle where bacteria can grow. The bacteria can affect the birds … if it looks gross to you, it is probably gross to a bird,” Andersen explained. He urges people to follow local and national advisories when they request bird baths be removed, which was the case a few years ago when a novel disease was rampantly killing songbirds. Removing a communal area, such as a bird bath, in those extreme scenarios is important to help stop the spread of pathogens.

Currently, there is no call to action to take down bird baths. There are plenty of birds in Newtown eagerly awaiting the much needed water source.

“Put them out there and enjoy the birds,” Andersen said. “It is really a great way to get a close look at the birds living in your yard.”

To learn more about how to help birds, visit Connecticut Audubon Society’s website ctaudubon.org.

Reporter Alissa Silber can be reached at alissa@thebee.com.