Adding a hummingbird bird bath to your yard is an excellent way to attract these delightful birds. However, when creating one, it’s important to consider their preferences, such as shallow water sources and secure perching spots.
To help you achieve a bird bath that considers these preferences, check out the rest of this guide. Here, you’ll learn how to transform your garden into a bustling hub of hummingbird activity!
Will Hummingbirds Use a Bird Bath?
Hummingbirds use bird baths, but unlike other birds, they prefer shallow water sources since they enjoy flying through mist rather than hopping in for a dip.
Adding a bird bath with a fountain or a dripper is a great idea to make your yard welcoming for these tiny guests. It mimics the streams and puddles they’re drawn to in the wild, so they’ll make your garden an ideal stop.
Fun Fact: Although hummingbirds use bird baths, they still prefer natural showers. This is why you’ll see them zipping through waterfall mists to clean their feathers!
You can mimic this at home with bird misters or even a simple DIY trick: a bucket with a small hole over leafy branches.
How to Choose the Best Bird Bath for Hummingbirds
In choosing the right bird bath for hummingbirds, you should prioritize their needs. Here’s what to consider when choosing a bird bath for hummingbirds:
Shallow Design
The best bird baths for hummingbirds have a shallow design. A depth of 1 to 2 inches is ideal because it prevents the risk of drowning and allows easy access to water for bathing and drinking.
Some bird baths come with built-in shallow areas or textured bottoms to provide better footing for the birds, which is perfect for hummingbirds who prefer to stay close to the water’s surface.
Material and Texture
Concrete, stone, or resin baths with a rough texture help hummingbirds grip better so they don’t slip. These materials also tend to keep the water cooler, so you keep the bath a refreshing spot for the birds on hot days.
Avoid slick materials like polished metal or glazed ceramic, as they can be too slippery for hummingbirds.
Water Movement Features
Incorporating water movement features such as drippers, bubblers, or fountains not only attracts hummingbirds but also promotes clean water by discouraging mosquitoes from breeding.
These features create a dynamic water source that mimics natural environments, which encourages hummingbirds to visit regularly. Plus, the gentle sound of moving water adds a tranquil ambiance to your garden.
Easy to Clean
Look for designs that are simple to disassemble or have smooth surfaces that can be quickly wiped down. These were my top priorities when I searched for a hummingbird bird bath for my yard.
The ease of cleaning allowed me to efficiently prevent algae and bacteria buildup and ensure the safety and health of my feathered visitors.
Moreover, since the bird bath could be easily maintained, I find myself cleaning it more often.
How to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Bird Bath
Attracting hummingbirds to your bird bath involves more than just setting it up and waiting. Here are the key actions you can take to attract these beautiful birds to your bird bath:
- Visibility and accessibility: Place the bird bath in an open area where hummingbirds can easily see and access it, but close enough to trees or shrubs for safety. This placement reassures the birds and encourages them to use the bath more frequently.
- Colorful surroundings: Enhance the area around your bird bath with bright, colorful flowers, particularly red ones. Hummingbirds are attracted to vivid colors and are likelier to visit a bird bath near a natural food source.
- Water movement: Add a feature that creates moving water, such as a dripper, bubbler, or fountain. The motion and sound of water not only attract hummingbirds but also promote a clean and inviting bathing environment.
- Maintain cleanliness: Keep the bird bath clean and the water fresh. Regular maintenance prevents the growth of algae and bacteria, which ensures a healthy and safe spot for hummingbirds to drink and bathe.
As evident in these strategies, attracting hummingbirds is not just about providing a water source; it’s about creating an environment where these birds feel secure, nourished, and entertained.
Pro Tip: Use native plants around your bird bath to attract more bird species, not just hummingbirds. Native plants are known to co-evolve with local wildlife, so they can support a variety of birds.
Best Locations to Place a Hummingbird Bird Bath
An excellent location to place a hummingbird bird bath is near flowering plants or feeders. This proximity to their food sources makes the bird bath more appealing.
Hummingbirds are more likely to visit a bath within their feeding territory, as it mimics their natural environment. It’s like offering them a one-stop shop for their needs.
The bird bath should also be placed in a spot that offers a clear view of the surroundings since hummingbirds like to keep an eye out for predators while they bathe or drink.
An open area with a panoramic view, yet close enough to trees or shrubs for quick escape, is ideal. This gives them the confidence to use the bath regularly.
In some cases, this also encourages them to build nests and lay their eggs in your yard.
On the same note, consider the sunlight and shade throughout the day. A location that receives morning sun but is shaded during the hottest part of the day is perfect.
It keeps the water at a pleasant temperature, which encourages hummingbirds to visit more often.
How to Keep Water Sources Clean and Safe
To keep water sources clean and safe, empty and scrub the bird bath at least once a week.
Use a brush and a mixture of one part vinegar and nine parts water to remove algae and mineral deposits. This natural solution is effective and safe for hummingbirds.
Next, rinse the bird bath thoroughly with clean water to remove all traces of the cleaning solution. A thorough rinse helps maintain the natural balance in the bird bath’s environment.
The last step is refilling the bird bath with fresh, clean water regularly, especially during hot or dry periods.
Changing the water every few days discourages mosquitoes from breeding and ensures that hummingbirds have access to the freshwater they need for drinking and bathing.
Keeping Hummingbirds Safe From Predators
Hummingbirds can fall prey to cats, large birds, and other animals if not properly protected. Thus, you should put their baths away from tall trees and bushes where predators can hide.
This doesn’t mean putting them out in the open without any cover but rather choosing spots where hummingbirds have a clear view of their surroundings. They should have enough space to escape quickly if a predator approaches.
Moreover, creating a habitat with layers of vegetation can provide safe retreats for hummingbirds. Dense shrubs and thickets offer hiding spots from aerial predators like hawks and can also deter cats.
Including thorny plants can also add an extra layer of protection since it makes it harder for predators to reach the birds.
You can also consider installing a few perches in safe locations around your yard where hummingbirds can rest and survey their territory for threats.
DIY Hummingbird Bird Bath
With some basic materials and a bit of creativity, you can create a charming spot that will attract hummingbirds and serve as a decorative piece in your outdoor space. Here are the steps to crafting a bird bath for hummingbirds:
Step 1. Select Your Container
The foundation of your bird bath is the container. Choose a shallow dish or bowl, about 1 to 2 inches deep, to ensure the safety of the hummingbirds.
Terra cotta, stone, or a heavy plastic dish are ideal choices as they provide stability and a natural look. If your selected container is deeper, adding rocks or marbles can create shallower areas for the birds to enjoy.
Step 2. Create Water Movement
To make your bird bath more appealing, add an element of water movement. A simple solar-powered fountain or bubbler can attract hummingbirds and keep the water fresh.
These devices are easy to install in your chosen container and operate without the need for electrical wiring.
Step 3. Find the Right Spot
The bird bath should be placed in a quiet, sheltered area of your garden that provides a clear view for the birds.
Near flowering plants or feeders are ideal, as we have repeatedly mentioned in this guide. Ensure the location is away from high-traffic areas to keep the birds safe and undisturbed.
Here’s an example of a DIY hummingbird bird bath you can make:
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Won’t Hummingbirds Come to My Bird Bath?
Hummingbirds might not come to your bird bath if it’s too deep, lacks movement in the water, is placed in a location that doesn’t feel safe to them, or if the water is dirty.
They prefer shallow baths with clean, moving water in a quiet, sheltered area.
Can You Put a Hummingbird Feeder Next to a Bird Bath?
Yes, you can put a hummingbird feeder next to a bird bath. This can actually encourage hummingbirds to visit both by providing them with a convenient place to drink and bathe near their food source.
Just make sure both are placed in a safe, visible location.
Do Hummingbirds Drink Water From Bird Baths?
Yes, hummingbirds do drink water from bird baths, especially if the water is shallow enough for them to feel safe.
They may also enjoy flying through a gentle mist or dripping water for bathing. Keeping the water clean and fresh is important to attract them.
Do you think you can now make your own hummingbird bird bath? Share your thoughts or leave suggestions in the comments below! Feel free to ask questions, too, and let’s learn from each other.
