Winter Water Sources
Like many animals, proper hydration is essential to a bird’s survival—it allows them to keep their body tissues insulated, properly preen their feathers, and generally thrive all year round. In winter, many birds resort to melting snow or ice with their bodies or beaks to get a few drops of water, or they visit puddles or fast-moving water sources (such as rapid rivers or creeks) that are not completely frozen. Because of the potential scarcity of liquid water during the colder months, winter bird baths can be an ideal source of easy, clean water, and backyard bird fans who provide that water may be surprised at the wide variety of species that visit even on the coldest days.
Select the Right Bird Bath
If you’re looking to winterize your bird bath, it’s a good idea to start by taking your current bird bath’s condition and construction into account. Not all bird baths are suitable for winter use—it’s often a good idea to put away or protect any delicate designs so they’re not damaged by ice or storms. In general, solar bird baths, glass styles, bird bath fountains, and structures featuring complicated mosaic designs should be protected from winter’s ravages (though less fragile, ceramic and concrete bird baths can also be subject to cold weather damage). On the other hand, plastic, fiberglass, and metal bird baths are typically usable all year round.
Prepare Your Winter Bird Bath
If you want to use your bird bath throughout the winter, these simple steps will help you maximize its efficiency and keep it safe and practical for winter use.
Winter Bird Bath Maintenance
Many birds visit winter bird baths—even species that do not regularly use bird feeders—so it’s important to keep your bath safe and appealing throughout the winter. Keep your bath full of fresh water (you can even add a handful of clean snow to the basin to top it off). Low water levels freeze more easily and could damage a heater if you’re using one. Continue to clean the bath as needed, and when cleaning, also clean perches or edges where birds congregate to drink. Never use salt, antifreeze chemicals, or other additives to prevent the water from freezing. These chemicals are toxic to birds.
