Water In Your Yard

We’re all looking for new ways to attract birds to our yards. Various birdscaping tactics include new feeders, flowers, protection for birds, and materials for nesting. Although these are all great elements to bring our feathered friends flocking there is another that is extremely simple, yet often overlooked. Adding water resources for birds could be one of the most important additions to your yard.

Birds need water just as much as they need food, not only for drinking, but for bathing and cleaning their feathers. They will also use water to remove parasites from their bodies. With economic times being difficult for some and the cost of birdseed creating a barrier for some avid bird watchers; water is an inexpensive and easily accessible attractant for birds.

According to the University of Cornell Lab of Ornithology publication, BirdNotes, birds need water to survive. In fact, some birds that normally would not visit backyards for seed will visit for water.

Ways of providing water for birds can vary from very simple to extremely elaborate. You can easily fill birdbaths with water for birds to use as a bathtub and to also drink from. If you have a man-made garden pond, birds will use this the same way they would a birdbath, unless large fish or turtles reside in this pond. Some people will create small streams or waterfalls in their gardens to add a visual element to providing water for birds.

There are also feeder options for providing water to birds. Perky Pet offers a great product which has two different containers, one for seed, one for water, or two that can be filled with seed or water. A pair of cylinder glass or plastic tubes, complete with designer facets, hangs perpendicular from a decorative copper hook and creates a buffet for birds.

A supply of water also increases the value of a backyard habitat – providing an all-inclusive retreat for birds and a perfect setting to observe their behavior. Whether you like to see birds splash in a birdbath or sit at a feeding tube to quench their thirst providing drinking and bathing water for them is just as important as providing birdseed. Not only do the birds benefit from your thoughtfulness, but you will also benefit from seeing birds that wouldn’t normally visit your backyard for seed.

To learn more about the Sip and Seed Feeders visit our learning center.