Keep bird baths ice-free

Heated bath on pedestal stand

Heated bird baths are essential this time of year. Birds need water throughout the year for drinking and bathing. But when temperatures fall below the freezing point, they have a hard time finding sources of liquid water.

The solution is heat. 

Heated bird baths come in two styles—a heater that is integrated into the basin, or an external heater that can be placed in an existing conventional bath. Both are effective to keep water thawed to keep birds in your backyard.

One advantage of a heated bird bath is that it can be used in all seasons. Once winter is over, you merely disconnect the power source and tuck the power cord underneath the bowl. The bird bath is then ready for springtime!

Heated baths and bird bath heaters come with thermostats that shut off automatically when the air temperature warms the bath sufficiently on its own. The thermostat saves electricity because the heating element doesn't run constantly. One model available at The Bird House features a 60-watt thermostatically controlled heating element hidden beneath the bowl's surface. It operates only when necessary. It has been tested to minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Heaters inserted into the bath must remain submerged. If the water evaporates, the heater can overheat.

250-watt heater works to minus 20 degrees

One misconception about heated bird baths is that they make the water too hot for the birds. It is not a Jacuzzi but the heaters provide enough warmth to keep the water temperature above the freezing point. If you see steam rising from the bath, it's not because the water is hot. It's merely because the water temperature is a bit higher than the subfreezing air temperature. You'll see the same thing happen at a pond that is clear of ice but the air above it is frigid.

If you're buying a heater, make sure to buy one specifically meant for bird baths. Aquarium heaters are too small and will not generate enough warmth to keep the bath from freezing. Larger heaters, such as those to warm water in animal toughs, will create too much heat and will discourage birds from drinking or bathing.

A heated bird bath or a bird bath heater requires an exterior electric outlet. You may need to use an extension cord to locate the bath far enough from the house. Protect all cord connections from snow and water that may seep into the wiring. An ideal situation is to locate the cord under a deck railing to elevate it above the snowfall. If that's not possible, make sure to cover the connections thoroughly.

A friend suggests this method: Get some electrical tape, which is available at any hardware store at a minimal cost. Wrap the tape around the connection between the two cords. Then cover the connection with plastic wrap, and finally wind additional electrical tape to seal the plastic to ensure that water can't enter the wiring. The job takes only a few minutes and can be tackled quite easily.

As with any bird bath, make sure to keep it clean of dirt, leaves or other debris. Keeping the bath full of water will make the heating element run more efficiently and keep the water as liquid more easily.

You'll get a lot of enjoyment at this time of year by offering birds seed and suet. But you'll see even more action by also providing birds with a reliable, ice-free source of water. Don't be surprised if birds from all over the neighborhood treat your backyard as a oasis!