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Birds use these garden features as a water source and to clean their feathers, but they look beautiful in your yard, too.
By
Madeline Buiano
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Madeline Buiano
Madeline Buiano is an associate editor at MarthaStewart.com, sharing her knowledge on a range of topics—from gardening and cleaning to home and pets. She has five years of writing and editing experience in the digital publishing industry.
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Published on August 3, 2023 01:26PM EDT
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Birds are beautiful creatures that help your landscape thrive by pollinating plants and aiding with pest control. If you want to bring more avians to your yard, a great way to do so is with a bird bath. In addition to using these structures to drink, birds also visit them to clean their feathers of dirt, bacteria, and other debris they might have picked up during their travels. It doesn't hurt, of course, that bird baths can also be garden focal points that add visual interest to your yard.
The Right Way to Clean a Bird Bath
What to Look When Shopping for Bird Baths
With so many bird baths on the market, it can be difficult to identify which one will attract the most visitors. As you shop, there are a few factors you should consider.
Material
Choose a bird bath made from a material that is lightweight and easy to clean. "I really prefer plastic for lightweight and ease of cleaning, because cleaning is absolutely key to maintaining a bird bath that will attract birds," says Julie Zickefoose,birdexpert and creator of the DIY WarblerFall bird bath. "They won't drink or bathe from a slimy bath, so anything with a rough surface, like concrete, that accumulates algae, is not desirable in the long run." Additionally, be cautious of ceramic bird baths, as they can be too heavy to be dumped out and cleaned (which you should do every three days).
Color
You'll have a difficult time attracting birds to your bird bath if you choose a dark or brightly colored option. "Natural colors, as close to rock colors as possible, are preferred," says Zickefoose. "Black or dark colors can create an impression in birds that the water is too deep to enter."
Depth
The shallower the bird bath, the better it is for bathing. "While they may drink from the rim, small songbirds won't enter or bathe in water more than about 1 inch deep," says Zickefoose. If you do opt for a deeper bird bath, make sure you adjust the depth by placing flat rocks on the bottom so there's less water.
To make your search for the perfect bird bath easier, we selected a few of the best options on the market that suit the above requirements.
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Gray Bunny Bird Bath
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Though it has the appearance of real stone, this outdoor pedestal bird bath is constructed from lightweight, durable polypropylene. The decorative piece is large, too, so multiple birds can drink from and bathe in the bird bath at the same time. It comes with screw-in parts that can be assembled without any tools. You can add sand or water to the pole for additional stability if needed.
Price at time of publish: $40
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West Elm Textured Stone Bird Bath
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This best-selling bird bath is ideal for smaller gardens. The hand-cast design was made by skilled artisans to replicate the appearance of real stone—something birds appreciate, says Zickefoose. It's as hefty as it looks (it weighs 23 pounds), but it's relatively easy to tip, drain, and clean on a regular basis.
Price at time of publish: $149
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Kenroy Home Vogel Fountain
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One of the the best ways to attract birds to your yard is to choose a bird bath that has a running water feature, says Zickefoose. This two-tiered fountain has a songbird perched on top that acts as a bubbler. The water gently falls into a reservoir before dropping to a lower basin.
Price at time of publish: $244
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Hanizi Bird Bath Deck Mounted Bowl
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Keep your bird bath close to a nearby window for optimal avian viewing with this option, which attaches to your deck railing. It's easy to install and remove and comes with an adjustable clamp that fits to decks up to 2 inches thick.The durable plastic bowl detaches from the steel ring for easy cleaning and filling.
Price at time of publish: $20
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Arlmont & Co. Kallirroi Bird Bath
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Friendly to your local birds and the environment, this bird bath is made from recycled plastic and sustainable bamboo. The green stone-colored finish has a subtle hue that will complement your surrounding landscape. It's frost-proof and weather-resistant, too, so it won't need to be stored away during winter like some other options.
Price at time of publish: $50
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Pottery Barn Amelie Bird Fountain
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Birds will love the running water feature of this bath—and you'll love listening to the bubbling, soothing sounds as you work in the garden. This beautiful fountain features two hand-cast birds with lifelike features; the cast stone mix has a stunning Alpine stone finish that will look great in your landscape. The water pools into a shallow basin—which is great news for birds looking to rinse off their feathers.
Price at time of publish: $269
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Athena Garden Cast Stone Large Octagon Bird Bath
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This pedestal-style bird bath is ideal for anyone looking to elevate their backyard and welcome more wildlife. It's available in eight earth-toned colors that are sure to complement any outdoor space and encourage birds to perch and stay awhile. Although this bird bath is beautiful, keep in mind that the basin and stand are all one piece—so washing it might be challenging.
Price at time of publish: $127
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Monarch Abode Pure Copper Standing Bird Bath
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The best part about this standing bird bath (beyond its beauty) is how easy it is to clean. The hand-hammered copper basin can be detached from the base, so you can quickly clean, re-fill, and replace it.
Price at time of publish: $53
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Allied Precision Industries Heated Bird Bath
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Encourage birds to visit your yard during colder weather with this heated bird bath. The design features a clamp-on mounting bracket with a hinge that allows users to dump the basin over to clean out stagnant water. You can store the power cord underneath the basin when it's not needed during warmer months.
Price at time of publish: $83
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Bunny Williams Woodland Creek Bird Bath
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You'll love how this faux bois bird bath looks in your yard—and Martha would, too (it's one of her favorite patterns). The garden feature has a bark-like texture, giving it a from-nature aesthetic. Though it looks like wood, it's actually constructed from ceramic and plastic, so it's durable without being too heavy. The basin is lined in smooth, watertight plastic for easy cleaning.
Price at time of publish: $303
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Highland Dunes Scallop Shell Bird Bath and Feeder with Stake
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Despite its ornate design and sturdy structure, this bird bath weighs just 1 pound. It comes with a bronze stake that allows you to display the bird bath anywhere in your yard. The basin is big enough for several birds to use it one time and shallow enough that the avians will want to bathe in it.
Price at time of publish: $90
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