Offer birds ample water in winter

Birds often find it difficult to obtain precious water during the winter. They sometimes must scrounge for water almost as much as food.

Dehydration is an real threat for birds in winter. If puddles and ponds are frozen, and no snow covers the ground, where is a bird to find moisture? Usually they resort to flying to the nearest running stream or river—assuming, of course, that the watercourse is bordered by rocks where the bird can stand, drink, bathe and hop out.

Male goldfinch finds water in a heated bird bath

Bathing is important to keep feathers in good shape. They need well-kept feathers to have the best chance of escaping predators. Cleanliness maintains the insulating properties of the feathers, an important consideration when temperatures drop to zero.

Time spent on finding sources of water means that birds have less of the already limited daylight to find nourishment to carry themselves through frigid nights.

If you'd like to enjoy the maximum number of birds in your backyard, a bird bath is ideal.

However, not all bird baths are suitable for winter use. The materials used for most bird baths aren't meant for cold-weather use. As water freezes and thaws repeatedly, the surface of the bowl expands and contracts. Superficial cracks grow until the bowl shatters. By spring, you'll be looking for a new bird bath.

You have two solutions to avoid this problem:

• Install a bird bath de-icer.
• Buy a bird bath that contains a built-in heater.

The best de-icers or heated baths are thermostatically controlled. The heating elements create warmth only when the water temperature drops close to the freezing point. When the day is sunny and mild, the heating element shuts itself off.

The heating elements only heat the water to a few degrees above the freezing point. They don't scald the birds. You may notice that the rim of the bowl is crusted with ice. That's fine. The point is to keep the center of the bowl liquid.

De-icers and heated baths

Deck-mounted bird bath

A de-icer must be powerful enough to keep the water from freezing. Just place the device into the deepest part of the bowl. A de-icer can be used with most types of baths. However, it cannot be used with inexpensive plastic baths. The plastic may warp because the temperature closest to the de-icer will be warmer than the surrounding material.

If you don't have a bird bath, buying a heated bath is an ideal solution. In the winter, it will keep water ice-free. When the weather warms in spring, you merely disconnect the electricity for use during the rest of the year.

Heated bird baths cost a little bit more but they can be used in all seasons and are guaranteed to function properly. Most of these baths are made from a composite material that is almost durable as the recycled plastic used in decking material. The heater is concealed within the bowl.

All you need is an outdoor electric outlet and a heavy-duty outdoor-rated extension cord long enough to reach the bird bath. It is best to use a special electric connector to prevent contact with the ground or snow.

Dealing with existing baths

Baths made of stoneware clay are well-crafted and attractive. Some have a beautiful glaze. But they don't withstand freezing water.



250-Watt De-Icer

Concrete baths seem heavy and rugged. They can withstand sun, rain and wind. Freezing water is the enemy. Concrete is porous. If water seeps into the pores and freezes, the crevices expand and begin the disintegration and cracking of the bath. Your choice: add a de-icer, move the bath into a shed or garage; or shield the bowl.

If you don't want to use a de-icer and don't want to move the bath to a safe location, you have two options.

The easiest is to remove the bowl from its pedestal, then lean the bowl against the pedestal concave side down. The point is to keep water out of the bowl.

The second option is to use a heavy-duty trash bag to keep water from collecting in the bowl. If you are willing to take the risk, just cover the bowl with the plastic bag. Keep in mind, though, that if winter elements create a tear in the bag, water will infiltrate the bowl, where it can freeze. A better technique is to place an inflated ball--a basketball will do--in the center of the bowl. Then apply the plastic bag. Be sure to secure the bag with twine tied around the pedestal.

What not to do

Plastic or painted baths should be brought indoors. They're not meant for winter temperatures. The same is true with glass or mosaic bowls. If your bath has a finial or fountain, store it indoors.

Never, ever use salt, antifreeze or any chemical additive to keep water in your bird bath from freezing. You're likely to kill the birds. Also, never try to melt a frozen bird bath by pouring boiling water on the ice. The dramatic temperature change may shatter your bird bath. If you must melt the ice, do it gradually, with warm water.

We have not found a solar-powered heated bird bath. Most of them work by passive solar warmth. Our weather is too cold and too cloudy for solar panel to gather enough energy to keep water warm all day and usually refreeze at night.