Nature's bird bath is a simple puddle, so the best bird baths imitating these simple puddles have been replicated by man in popular, various forms of bird baths. Bird baths should be round with a flat bottom and gently sloping sides, and should be no deeper than three inches, the shapes that birds love in their simple water puddles.

Bird baths are utilized to attract birds and other small animals to visible locations, usually in the yards and gardens of home owners in order that the home owners and their guests may enjoy the presence of such wildlife. Birdbaths built on pedestals are popular in home gardens for this purpose. An ideal size of a birdbath should weigh about six to seven pounds and should be approximately seventeen to eighteen inches in diameter. This size will be sturdy enough to keep it from blowing over in moderate wind. Pedestal bird baths come in a variety of decorative shapes and different colors from which to choose. Pedestal bird baths are generally not solid, one piece units, rather a two-piece unit consisting of a basin and and a pedestal. To assemble one only has to simply turn the basin onto the pedestal. The two piece pedestal bird baths are easier to handle as they are not as heavy and are easier to transport as well.

There are other types of bird baths besides the pedestal style. Today, bird baths are made of all sorts of materials, including stone, concrete, metal and resin and can have many features, including heaters, fountains, water drippers and misters. We have several bird baths in our garden and was amazed one day to discover several birds splashing happily in the water of an old trash can lid that had blown into our garden during a storm the night before. We have never bothered to remove the lid and months later the birds continue to enjoy themselves on a daily basis.

When deciding where to locate your bird bath it is important, if possible, to provide some protection for your feathered friends. Branches hanging a few feet above the bird bath water will give birds a place to escape in the event a predator makes an appearance.

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Bird baths should be emptied and cleaned when needed. Various locations will determine the frequency of cleaning, for example, a bird bath under a tree will need a more frequent cleaning due to leaves from the tree having fallen into the bird bath. When one cleans a bird bath it should be done by scrubbing it with a coarse pad with bleach solution and dried well before being refilled. People should wash their hands thoroughly afterwards, since humans and cats can contract salmonella.

Adding a birdbath or pond to your backyard or garden not only serves the birds but can also enhance your landscape. Add the sound of water to your bird bath will attract bird bathers and, in turn, the sounds of those happy bathers will attract even more curious birds.