Tips and Tricks on How to Pick the Best Bird Bath Bowl

Did you know there is a household fixture that can enhance your outdoor aesthetic, attract wildlife, and improve your mental health? It's called a bird bath.

Bird baths make excellent outdoor ornaments as well as attract beautiful birds to your yard. And not only are birds fun to observe, but birdwatching has been linked to lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress.

Are you considering adding a bird bath bowl to your yard, deck, or balcony?

Picking out a bird bath for your space can be overwhelming, if you don't know what you're looking for. That's why we've created a go-to guide for how to pick a bird bath bowl for your landscape.

Let's explore.

Step 1: Determine What You're Looking For

Before you start scoping out the different bath bowls for birds, decide what you're looking for. Consider your landscape to determine the bowl's size. Don't forget to create a budget before you start shopping.

How big is the area you're planning on putting the bird bath? If you have an enclosed courtyard or patio, choose a small bowl. These models accommodate plenty of birds without taking up too much space. Plus, they're easy to keep clean.

If you have a large yard, a big bird bath is an excellent way to create a focal point. A large bird bath bowl allows plenty of space for birds to come and go as they please.

Of course, the larger the bowl, the higher the price tag. Establish a budget before you start to browse. That way, you won't be tempted to look at more expensive structures.

Step 2: Know the Types of Bird Bath Bowls

With so many different types of baths, picking the best bird bath bowl for your yard can be tricky. Familiarize yourself with the varieties of bowls, so you can choose a style that best suits your needs.

We've listed a few of the most popular types of bird bath bowls below.

Over-the-Railing and Hanging Bowls

If you're living in the city or don't have enough space in your back yard for a standing bird bath, over-the-railing bowls will do the trick.

Hanging bird bath bowls are small and shallow. They sit on balcony railings, low-hanging tree limbs, or attach directly to your deck.

Since the bowls are small, they are lightweight and easy to move. Hanging bird bath bowls are also easy to keep clean.

Mounted Bath Bowls

Mounted bath bowls are ideal for people who don't have space to install a standing birdbath, but have a deck or open area for a small-scale structure.

These types of bowls can be placed anywhere, from on top of a large rock to nestled in your flower garden. The baths also fasten to railings and other household fixtures.

Mounted bird bath bowls come in all different sizes and designs. Some are made to resemble rocks or logs of wood, so they blend in with their natural surroundings. Others are made from copper or stone to stand out and make your patio pop.

Freestanding Bird Bath Bowls

Freestanding bird bath bowls are what people most commonly see. They consist of a bowl that sits on top of a pedestal. The standing fixture keeps the bath off the ground, which attracts certain birds as they do not feel threatened by predators.  Short pedestal versions are available for species that prefer to get their water closer to the ground.

These types of bird bath bowls look best in large yards or spacious gardens. They may be very heavy and difficult to move, depending on the material.

Many freestanding baths have bowls that are affixed to the structure. That means you can't take the bowl inside to clean it. Instead, use a bird bath scrub brush, cleaning solution, and hose to sanitize your bowl.

Heated Bird Baths

Birds need to hydrate all year long, right? To make sure your flying friends continue visiting your bath, invest in a heated bird bath

These bowls come with integrated heaters to prevent the water from freezing. Heated bird baths look beautiful and help those birds who don't fly south survive the winter months.

Step 3: Attract Birds to Your Bird Bath Bowl

Once you've chosen your bird bath bowl, it's time to attract the birds. Putting a little extra thought into where your bath sits or how much water is in your bowl can make your bath a popular hangout spot for neighborhood birds.

Place Your Bowl in a Sheltered Area

Place your bird bath near trees or shrubs. That will make the birds feel protected and more likely to visit. 

If you can, pick an area that receives shade. Birds don't like being in direct sunlight, so they will flock to baths that provide relief from the sun (especially in the summer). The shade will also keep the bathwater at a cooler temperature.

Keep Your Bird Bath Bowl Clean

If you purchase a bird bath, it's your responsibility to keep it clean.

A clean bath will attract more birds. A dirty bird bath is a perfect place for waterborne bacteria to flourish, which is responsible for 560,000 waterborne diseases. Infections like E. coli and cholera come from unsanitary stagnant water.

Keep both you and your flying friends healthy by taking the time to clean out your bird bath and replace the water.

Add Bird Bath Accessories

Upgrade your bird bath bowl to attract a more diverse range of birds. The animals are attracted to moving water, so add a bubbler, mini waterfall, fountain, or agitator to create movement.

If you want to attract hummingbirds or warblers, hang a mister from a nearby tree limb or on the ground near trees and shrubs. The mister creates wet leaves that these types of birds love to rub against. 

Don't Use Too Much Water

Don't overfill your bowl. Birds are not attracted to deep water. They prefer shallow bowls, so keep the water levels below two inches.

If your bird bath bowl has a deep basin, add pebbles or flat stones to the bottom. This will maintain shallow water levels as well as provide extra footing for the birds.

Bird Bath Supplies From the Experts

The more you know about bird baths, the easier it is to pick out the perfect bird bath bowl for your back yard or balcony.

As long as you know what you're looking for, are familiar with the different types of bowls, and understand how to attract birds to your bath, then you'll have a popular bird bath set up in no time.

If you're looking for bird bath supplies, you've come to the right place. Shop our collection of bird bath equipment. From cleaning brushes to hanging bird bath bowls, we've got you covered.