A bird bath is the best place to start for new bird watchers and conservation enthusiasts. It’s more universal than most birdhouses, doesn’t require as much ongoing expense or specialized purchases as feeders do, and is typically very easy to maintain.
There’s just one problem. Where’s a good spot to put it once you have one?
Well, there are a few factors to consider when deciding where to place a bird bath, and we’re going to cover each of them in detail.
Easy Access to Power (for Powered Baths)
This doesn’t apply to all bird baths. So, we’ll get it out of the way first.
If you own a bird bath that requires you to hook it up for heating or fountain features, you want to make sure you choose a spot that’s going to make installation easy.
You can’t have a massive power cord running all over your yard year-round, and you certainly don’t want to have to mess with anything electrical over a bird bath. If your bath has a solar-powered feature, this isn’t a big issue at all.
Natural Cover
Your bird bath is going to stand out as a non-natural water source, but you still want to try to blend it into the natural landscape as much as possible. Birds want cover from predators while they enjoy your bird bath, and if you provide that, more will show up.
One of the best examples of this in a backyard is near hedges, some overgrown bushes, etc. Placing it close to this kind of greenery means you’ll need to clean and maintain the bath more often, but the trade‑off is worth it.
Birds instinctively see dense growth as a safe place to rest and hide from predators. If you don’t have that, artificial plants or other forms of cover can be good alternatives.
Whatever you do, try to avoid putting your bird bath in the middle of an open yard with nothing around it.
Of course, you’ll want to identify where you’ll be watching from to ensure you can see. It doesn’t help with the enjoyment factor of the hobby if you hide your bird bath behind a bunch of bushes.
Shade
Birds need shade just as much as we do, and while that’s not important in the winter or fall, it’s crucial in the hotter days of spring and throughout the summer. Even if it’s not scorching hot, water that’s sitting under direct bright sunlight will heat up throughout the day.
If you used our natural cover tip, that’s usually enough. It doesn’t need to be covered in shade 24/7. Just a few hours throughout the day, like you’ll get from most tall hedges or brush around the area.
This helps keep the water cool, and it gives the birds respite from the sun while they enjoy the bath.
Low-Traffic Areas
Finally, try to put your bird bath in a place where people won’t be walking past it constantly. You might eventually get lucky and be able to go close to the birds, but in general, people coming close will scare them off.
Get a Premium Bird Bath Today
So, where to place a bird bath if you want to see more action in your yard? We’ve shared a few practical tips on choosing the right spot, like adding natural cover, providing shade, and keeping the area quiet, to make it as safe and inviting as possible.
At The Birdhouse Chick, you’ll find a great selection of expertly crafted, gorgeous bird baths that make backyard bird‑watching a true joy. Contact us today to pick the perfect bird bath and start welcoming more feathered visitors to your garden.
