What are the Best Materials for a Durable Bird Bath? (2024)

FAQs

What are the Best Materials for a Durable Bird Bath? ›

Resin and fiberglass bird baths are modern alternatives that offer great durability and versatility. These materials are lightweight, making them easy to move and install. They can be molded into various shapes and designs, often mimicking more expensive materials like stone or metal.

The best birdbaths mimic nature's birdbaths—puddles and shallow pools of water in slow streams; they're shallow with a gentle slope so birds can wade into the water. Look for one that won't break and is easily cleaned.

Ceramic is a common choice that's easy to clean and stands up to harsh weather (except for freezing temperatures), but it can be slippery, which can deter birds. Plastic is a great affordable choice, but isn't the most long-lasting. We love glass for aesthetic purposes, but it can shatter easily.

By putting a few marbles in the center of your birdbath – or something that the insects can stand on and not be covered in water – bees and butterflies will be able to drink while visiting your flowers.

Resin, reinforced plastic, and metal are great options for winter birdbaths. But avoid concrete and porcelain: If water seeps into even the tiniest cracks and freezes, the cracks will widen and eventually destroy your birdbath. However, if your birdbath is heated, this will be less of a concern.

Birds like cover—it makes them feel protected and secure. So if you can place your bird bath near shrubs, trees, or other cover, there's a greater chance they will use it. In addition, it's best to keep your bird bath out of direct sunlight so the water doesn't get too hot and undesirable.

In a plastic bowl, mix three parts contractor's sand to one part Portland cement. Mix 1/4 cup of water and 1/4 cup of concrete fortifier, and add slowly to the sand until it reaches the consistency of a thick brownie batter. The easiest way to do this is to squish it with your hands wearing rubber gloves.

My bird bath is pretty shallow, and I have several small flatish stones that are about half in and half out of the water. Small birds do like to land on them before bathing but just as important, insects that fall into the water use them to haul out and dry.

Placing a flat stone (like a flagstone) under the birdbath to evenly distribute its weight keeps things straight for the first summer, but it's likely frost will shift soil underneath and tilt the stone and bath over winter.

Is Flex Seal safe for bird baths? ›

We recommend using Flex Seal Liquid for your birdbath as it is safe to use around plants and animals once fully cured.

Blue is often considered the best color to attract birds because it is reminiscent of water and the sky. It's a naturally occurring color in birds' environments, so they're likely to be drawn to it. Green also blends well with the garden environment and looks natural and safe to birds.

Because birds clean themselves and defecate in baths, the water needs to be refreshed and cleaned often. We recommend scrubbing the bowl with hot water and dish detergent such as Dawn. If algae is present, it's best clean the bowl with a mixture of one part bleach to 10 parts water.

How to Prevent Algae in Bird Bath Water Features. Copper pennies may help if they're from before 1982 when copper was still the main material. You can also use other copper coins or copper tubing. Do not include fish in any water that has copper added to it.

Typical bird bath materials:

Concrete. Plastic. Glass. Glazed Pottery.

Birds might avoid a birdbath due to its location, cleanliness, depth, or lack of cover. Ensure the water is shallow and clean and that the birdbath is in a safe, shaded area. How Do You Get Birds To Come To Your Bird Bath? Place your bird bath in a visible, safe spot.

Blue is often considered the best color to attract birds because it is reminiscent of water and the sky. It's a naturally occurring color in birds' environments, so they're likely to be drawn to it. Green also blends well with the garden environment and looks natural and safe to birds.

Birds might avoid a birdbath due to its location, cleanliness, depth, or lack of cover. Ensure the water is shallow and clean and that the birdbath is in a safe, shaded area.

If your bird bath fountain is in a sunny location, adding a shady area nearby can be a great way to encourage more birds to visit. Birds prefer to drink and bathe in cool, shaded areas, so providing a shady spot nearby can be a great way to attract more birds.

Patience is needed when you add anything to the garden for birds, we installed another hanging feeder alongside our existing feeders and it took three weeks before we spotted our first bird using it. On average, it takes birds between 2 – 4 weeks to find a bird bath.