Create a backyard habitat - Water
Water
Birds need a fresh, clean water supply for both drinking and bathing. But natural water sources are not always available, even in the wettest of regions. Add a birdbath to give birds a consistent water supply and increase your chance of attracting even more birds.
The premium ingredients in Scotts® Wild Bird Food attract a variety of birds—and keep them coming back.
Our online guide of pictures, names and descriptions of common birds can help you identify the birds in your yard.
About birdbaths
- Whether you put a decorative birdbath in your backyard or simply place a large clay saucer on the ground or on top of a tree stump, make sure it has a rough surface and a shallow bowl.
- Place a flat rock in the center of the bath or pond to serve as a perch. If the bath is on the ground, arrange a few stones or branches in the water so that birds can stand on them and drink without getting wet.
- Birds require fresh, clean water so clean birdbaths often and replace water every couple of days.
- Birds need fresh water year-round—and that includes winter. A source of unfrozen, fresh water is vital. Sometimes birds suffer more for lack of water than lack of food.
- Consider investing in a birdbath heater to keep ice from forming in cold climates. At the least, place a shallow bowl of warm water out every day for your backyard birds.
