Fun with Bathing Birds

Mourning Dove in bird bath, Corona de Tucson, AZ

Everyone likes to feed the birds, but do you know that you can attracted more species by offering water? All birds need water, while all birds do not eat seed. And while we think of providing water in the summer time, birds also need water in winter, especially if the water in your area is all frozen over. For winter bird watering there are heated bird baths that consume very little energy, but in the summer we all know birds enjoy a good bath!

Cowbird and House Finch drinking from fountain

Watching bathing birds can be so much fun. Birds like shallow moving water best and this can be provided from a simple Water Wiggler in a bird bath to a simple fountain with a recirculating pump. I bought this simple fountain when I lived in Tucson, AZ and soon had birds galore. All it took was an extension cord and an outdoor outlet. The biggest concern was making sure the small water bucket that held the water and the fountain did not run dry. Also, I found that the small drainage hole could clog up and I really needed to have it set on a flat and level surface, but for the most part it worked well and the birds loved it!

Grindstone fountain in my mother's yard

Here on the east coast my mother has what I consider to be one of the best fountains of all. It's shallow but moving water attracts all kinds of birds and other wildlife. The faux grinding stone makes a perfect bathing area for the birds. Sometimes they land on the edge of the black tub and drink the water as it pours over the side. For me, I like to sit nearby and listen to the sound. If  I am sitting with the table between myself and the birds they will often come and bath right in front of me! If I am standing they will fly right off!

Juvenile House Sparrow in fountain

Due to the different depths of this fountain, the birds can choose what suits them. I often see young House sparrows coming for a drink and a bath, as well as many other birds. One of  the biggest mistakes one can make when installing a fountain or bird bath is too get something that is too deep with no shallow areas. Birds cannot bath in deep water and some cannot even lean down far enough over a steep edge to get a drink. All these things need to be considered when providing water for your birds.

Song Sparrow bathing in fountain

Robin bathing in fountain

Gila woodpeckers and house finches drinking from bird bath in Arizona

Of course, a simple bird bath works well also, but you must keep it clean. Algae likes to grow in bird baths, especially if they are in direct sunlight. Birds themselves can spread disease, so it is good to thoroughly clean a bird bath like this at least once a week. If you live in a mosquitoes prone you can use a Water Wiggler to not only attract the birds but to discourage mosquitoes! There are also natural enzyme products that can be added to the water to discourage mosquitoes and algae, but in the end you must clean the bird bath. Dump the old water out and clean the basin with a solution of 1 part white vinegar and 4 parts water. let it soak for 15 minutes, then scrub, rinse, and refill.

Some of the most fun I have ever had observing a bird bathing was at the Corona de Tucson Waste Water Treatment Plant near Tucson, AZ. In Arizona these areas can attract all kinds of birds and birders! Most of them welcome birders but you have to call ahead and get permission. Some areas are actually developed as bird habitat and are open to the public, like Sweetwater Wetlands in Tucson, and Gilbert Water Ranch near Phoenix. Gus and I happened to go to the Corona de Tucson waste Water Treatment Plant on December 30, 2008. It was shortly after we bought our new Nikon D80 and Gus used the camera while I looked for birds with my bins. We were nearing the far reaches of one of the drainage ponds when we came upon this sight. I had Never seen such a large bird taking a bath before and the sight amazed me. While Gus snapped away with the camera I continued to observe the bird with delight! All of the following images were taken by Gus. we were just getting used to the camera at the time so please excuse some of the blurry images, but at least you can get the idea of what a bathing Cooper's Hawk looks like! 

Cooper's Hawk taking a dip in the drainage pond of Corona de Tucson Wastewater Treatment Plant 2008

Bathing birds are lots of fun!

Good-bye!

Come visit me at Kathie's Birds where I am saying Good-bye to Andover, Massachusetts and heading back to Tucson, AZ! Yes, I am migrating again!

• Kathie's Birds
• Kathie's Poet Tree
• Sycamore Canyon
• Sycamore Canyon Birds