How to Buy Bird Baths

A bird bath invites a variety of local birds to drink, bathe and socialize with fellow birds in a friendly environment. You need to think about your home's exterior design and the needs of regional species before you choose from among the available bird baths.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Select a bird bath with a large base to ensure you provide a permanent place for birds to lounge. You can avoid tipping and the loss of clean water when you buy a bath with a base wider than the bathing basin.
2. Lift a bird bath with both hands to find the right balance between stability and sufficient weight. Home owners who want to move their bird baths around need to seek out an alternative to cumbersome concrete baths.
3. Ask for a demonstration of bird baths with a running-water fountain if you have a large population of birds in your yard. Functional fountains need to be attached to a running hose in order to provide a regular stream of fresh water for birds.
4. Estimate the amount of watering space you need before you buy a new bird bath. The watering space needs to have ample room for water as well as a ledge for birds to drink if they are not interested in bathing.
5. Dazzle the eyes of wild birds by finding a bird bath with a series of tracking lights. Most home owners use exterior lights to show off their bath at night. You can buy high-end baths with a variety of colored lights underneath the bathing basin for greater effect.
6. Match the style of your new bird bath with your home's exterior decor to avoid putting an eyesore in your front yard. You can speak with your home builder to access suppliers of columns, doors and windows who offer matching lawn decorations.
7. Attract a wide spectrum of wild birds to your home with a series of matching bird baths. You can line up several baths of increasing height to create natural boundaries for competing birds. A good way to match bird baths from different manufacturers is the use of earth-toned paint to create a uniform color scheme.