Is it better to hang a bird bath or put it on a stick? Where should the bird bath be placed? And how can you make the bird bath frost-proof?
A bird bath in the garden offers a welcome refreshment for a large number of garden birds, especially in the summer months, because natural water features such as puddles, streams and small ponds are often few and far between in towns and settlements. Especially grain-eating bird species, such as goldfinch, chaffinch or yellowhammer, need a lot of water to be able to digest their food successfully. In this article we would like to give you some useful tips for choosing the right bird bath, installing it and cleaning it.
Bird bath in the garden: This is what you need to know
Whether a decorated water bowl, stone basin or trivet - a bird bath does not always have to be particularly elaborate and can often be made from the simplest materials. On the other hand, regular cleaning of the bird bath is much more important than its appearance, because the standing water can quickly develop into a breeding ground for bacteria and bird diseases, especially at high temperatures, which are then passed on from bird to bird. That's why you should change the water every day in summer and clean the bird bath at regular intervals.
Note: If you observe sick birds in your garden, which for example show plumage damage, respiratory problems or severe exhaustion, you should remove your bird bath, if necessary also stop feeding and the Report the find to the district veterinary office or to NABU. See our special article for more advice on how to deal with sick or injured birds.
Where to place the bird bath?
The optimal location for a bird bath is a few meters from a hedge, tree or other protective vegetation. This gives the birds a good view of their surroundings without a predator sneaking up unnoticed. But they're also quick to get to safety if they're in danger.
Look outWhen installing a bird bath, however, also look to your own advantage and choose a place that you can see well from the terrace, for example. Because a watering hole in the garden not only supports the local wild bird population, but also offers a great opportunity for bird watching.
Bird bath hanging or on a stick?
Whether a bird bath is hanging or mounted on a stick is basically a matter of taste. The only important thing is that with the hanging variant, no domestic cats or other predators can reach for the birds from above. And with the standing variant, the stick should be so long, thin and smooth that no curious paws can reach out from below. The advantage of a hanging water bowl, however, is that it is usually easier to remove and clean than a bowl screwed to a stick.
The birds at the water trough not only delight us with their cheerful nature, but also with their lovely bird calls. Find out why birds chirp and why bird calls change over the course of the day and the seasons in our info article.