I have always had the expensive concrete baths in my garden, but I don't think they are that suitable for the birds or us if we have to clean or refill them more than once a day. I now use the big plastic "saucers" for big pot plants . The best is about 40 cm square and about 6cm deep. The water doesn't spill as easy, it's easy to clean, and big and small birds love it. Of cause, I put it at a safe height , on a stump or post, and a small branch for a perch. They sell for less than $10 in the big hardware stores.
Good idea Keefsmit and good to see you like to keep your baths clean. With plastic baths, one needs to keep them filled so that they remain stable. The big hardware stores also have Italian terra cotta dishes which are only a little dearer and they make great baths as well.
They work really well. The birds certainly don't seem to care, so long as it's cool and fresh.
I have one glazed "stereotypical" birdbath which the birds like (the glazing doesn't cause any problem with them slipping that I can see) plus a large plastic pot base which is probably about 8cm high sides with a raised dome in the middle (equally popular) - these are both in the front yard tucked in between a cypress and the house so they're not visible from the street, and I recently added a terracotta pot base (because it looked nice!) in my "no dog zone" in the back yard which I've propped in some old branches and can reach over the fence with the hose to refill, otherwise I have to dismantle a gate to get in there. This isn't hugely big/deep but it immediately became popular and is the perfect depth for my little Brown Honeyeaters who like a quick dip of a hot evening. Obviously, being terracotta there's more seepage/evaporation and if it's really hot it needs to be refilled night and morning. I want to get a deeper one for the bigger birds. My perfect birdbath would also have a misting thingy but that's a pipe dream (if you pardon the pun).
Wendy
Mandurah, WA
Peel-Yalgorup System Ramsar Site
http://www.flickr.com/photos/girlinoz/
Your pipe dream pun is certainly pardoned, Wendy. Not only pardoned, but encouraged. By me, at least.
I like the idea of the raised dome in the middle of your bird bath. It reflects the islands in dams that are favoured loafing & socialising sites of many bird species such as ducks, cormorants, darters & plovers. Not that you're likely to see these at your bird bath, of course.
.
I LOVE IT !!! Going out tomorrow to replicate project 65412, might get a blue or black plastic bowl
M-L
Put a hole in the side and you have a nest box with a water cooled roof.
I expect the birds will really enjoy the water, Ms Wombat. And that basket looks like good nesting material so expect to see it disappear after a couple of years.
You might be interested in doing a search on bird baths in the Search box near the top of this page. There's lots of information that posters have provided about suitable bird baths for different species.
.
.
Haha, nothing behind that decision, or is there?
I really hate “blue” , simply because my mother used to dress me in a lot of dark blue . I had countless blue jumpers that had white collars attached to them. A clean one every morning. I have a somewhat disturbed relationship with anything blue. But guess what? In shops I do gravitate to blue cloths. (should I ask a psychologist?)
But I do love everything “black”. Many years ago, most things in our house were black&white. Even the carpet in the house was. It looked stunning, not as much work to clean as you might think. We had small kids back then, you wouldn’t see any stains, only fluff from nappies. So , there you go, the answer to your question is some deep routed psychological problem in my early childhood.
M-L
Wonderful bath Ms Wombat. Do you mind if I use the image? In my role here at BIBY I regularly give talks etc and bird baths are usually covered in them. I would love to feature your design as another one that people can easily make themselves (and credit you for the photo).
Cheers
Holly
birdsinbackyards@birdlife.org.au
I love the various ideas on bird baths.
I have one bath with a large pot tray, which I have weighted down with a paver brick in the middle. This keeps it stable when it's empty/shallow and gives birds a shallow spot to stand on, rather than having to step into inch deep water.
I am thinking about getting a classic bird bath, as I think the graduated sides would (possibly) be better for a wider range of birds. I tried putting sand in the sides for a gradual slope, but it just washes down (as could be expected).
I have also used bowls in hangers, much like Wendy's setup. The local second hand shop can be good for cheap bowls (50c), but won't necessarily have the perfect fit shown.
Cheers
Tim
Brisbane
I am getting a psychological problem after starting this comment on a cheap birdbath. I have no problem with the kids and their mother, red browed finches, using the pink bath, but I also look after the tough males too. ( Forget the replies) I also have my Holly's to consider
Keefsmit
.
.
Nice shot Keef.
Your setup looks just like what I've used, and the branches over the bath are a good idea.
Cheers
Tim
Brisbane
I love it too Keef! How is it secured to the tree?
I am drafting a 'Cheap and Cheerful' Bird Baths info sheet at the moment (and gave an ABC interview on the topic yesterday morning). You all are inspiring me
Groan if you like folks, but surely that should be 'Cheep and Cheerful' Bird Baths, Holly?
Cheers
Tim
Brisbane
LOL that was groan worth timmo but I liked it!
Yeah, good one Timmo.
I'm not so sure that birds aren't choosy about the container from which they drink. For several years I provided a chipped enamel bowl for the birds, complete with fresh water most days. Not once did I see birds or anything else using it. Yet a metre or so away the red terracotta, cement & green plastic bird baths were vigorously patronised. As well, a friend has had a clear plastic container of relatively shallow disposition with fresh water available for about three months. He has reported no birds in its vicinity so far.
Birds seem to be choosy but who knows their reasoning. I was going to say that enamel may not allow their claws to grip but then again I have had both glazed and non-glazed bird baths both popular. Depth doesn't seem to be vital, so that leaves siting and colour. I have heard it said that birds like the baths raised and near foliage so that they can make a quick exit if required. Not sure about colour. With water quality, we can only assume that birds prefer clean water over dirty water. Regardless I think we have a responsibility to keep the water as clean as possible.
There is so much we don't know about bird baths and their effectiveness. It is not something that has had much research done on it at all...
It is difficult to predict the thinking of a bird. Once I think I know what they want, one comes out of left field and does the opposite (like the eastern rosellas who nested in a horizontal nest box attached to a house!).
We provide general guides on what seems to work for most people - it is not a 100% guaranteed solution. It could depend on the individual container, the individual placement of the bath/pond or even what other water sources are around - they might prefer one in a neighbours yard for some reason.
Collecting rainwater and recycling water is a great idea. We generally suggest that people keep water in baths clean (no detergents) simply because the water simply sits in it, doesnt drain or circulate like in a pond or creek - and birds are using them for baths just as much as for drinking. We are eering on the side of caution in terms of spreading disease etc.
Ultimately it is a bit of trial and error - if I had a guaranteed formula for attracting the 'right' birds and minimising the problem ones I wouldn't need to keep writing grants for BIBY
I spoke to one woman yesterday who seemed to be doing the right things and the birds didn't use her bath which was located in a small courtyard - it might be that the birds struggle to find it, or they might prefer it in a slightly different position. I just advised her to play around with it and see what works.
May I say something here? If you fill any container deeper than the smallest birds, you should put a stick in it, so the birds don't drown in the water. Even if they struggle to get out, they can climb up the stick. As we have old bath tubs for the horses, we have big sticks in all of them, Magpies and Parrots love to climb in and out of the water on them. I also stand smaller shallow bowls on a slight slope, that way the water level is at different hights, just like in a pool, it has a deeper and a shallow end. I also put a small rock in the middle, for little birds to sit on.
M-L
A stick is a great suggestion M-L - we suggest pebbles or a brick in deep or smooth based baths but a stick is another great option.
Here is my solution for the little birds. I have two small pot sauces that i got for less than $5 for both. The are glazed ceramic and i clean and refill with fresh tap water each morning before going to work and when i get home.
I have watched many birds use them including Red Browed Finches, Thornbills, Silvereyes, Superb Fairy Wren and quite a few more.
I took these shots when i got home today (i only work till 11 on fridays
)
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
Lovely Shorty, (the birds and the fact you have short Fridays
). The saucer seems to balance delicately on a beam, how did you attach it? What do you do if big birds come for a drink? I have lost a few bowls, because Bronzewings , Magpies and Currawongs are not the kind of birds that elegantly sit on the edge. They tipped over.
I just noticed the little platform the saucer sits on
M-L
Thanks M-L, the saucer is glued to the beam with silicon ( they use it to hold the heat shields on the space shuttle ).
It is very secure, it even holds the weight of the possums that drink out of it at night ( that is why i have to clean them in the morning
).
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
Here is one of my bowls, from when I was a pottery teacher in a Rehab Centre
, sometimes feels as if I haven't moved on.
M-L
Nice one M-L, it's good to see the birds like something you made with your own hands.
It was a busy day at my bath today.
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
That is so funny, I think you need a bigger saucer
beautiful photos
M-L
It seems the neighbours need to install a bird bath, too, to prevent this overcrowding, rawshorty.
Thanks M-L, i am surprised i got focus i was laughing so hard watching it
Woko, i thought about installing condo bird baths but i did not want to be called a developer
Here are the Silvereyes at my neighbours place.
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
Good one, rawshorty. Keep 'em coming.
By the way, nice to see your neighbour is in on the act.
Peter