The Best Birdbaths

The Best Birdbaths

Birdbaths are one of the best ways to attract and observe these magnificent animals in their environment. They typically consist of a broad, heavy base with a trunk extending into a cylindrical pool. While the bulk of the selection hasn't deviated far from this original design, there are countless options to choose from that are more lightweight or can even hang for bird-lovers with balconies. If you or someone you love is an avian enthusiast, a birdbath is a worthwhile investment that can provide hours of entertainment. Check out some of our favorite options on the market to get started.

Vivohome Antique Garden Birdbath

Pint-Sized Pool Party

This classic birdbath can stand up to mother nature while providing for our friends in flight.
Best Overall

Find on Amazon

Attracting our feathered friends is safe, clean, and easy with Vivohome’s Antique Garden Birdbath. This classic lawn ornament is an excellent centerpiece for gardens or wide-open lawns where you can observe birds unobstructed. This birdbath is constructed from a durable resin base, although you wouldn’t know from looking — the exterior coating reacts to weather similarly to copper, developing a lovely green patina over time. Assembly is extremely straightforward because the Antique Garden Birdbath comes in three parts that link together seamlessly. When you want songbirds to show off their stuff, Vivohome is ready to turn your lawn into center stage.

Pros:

  • Corrosion-proof materials
  • 20″ diameter pool
  • Includes three ground anchors

Cons:

  • Requires a completely level surface to stay erect

API Heated Birdbath

Warm Up Those Wings

If you want to attract the migrating flock in bitter conditions, this birdbath will be the hottest stop on the flight south.
Best for Cold Weather

Find on Amazon

If you live in the country’s frozen reaches, charming snowy occupants or migratory travelers with a birdbath can be difficult. Fortunately, API’s Heated Birdbath provides a captivating environment that’s hard for our avian adventurers to pass up. This 20″ birdbath is composed of weather-resistant plastic that won’t visibly age with regular cleaning. The heating element is placed securely within the plastic housing and out of sight from critters, so there’s no need to worry about frying any wildlife. The genius of this model is the function of the heating element. Once sensors detect sub-freezing conditions, the heater kicks in and provides consistent warmth through every cold snap automatically.

Pros:

  • Mounting hardware included
  • Shallow enough to encourage landings
  • It will attract squirrels, chipmunks, and rabbits as well as birds

Cons:

  • No pedestal base included

Mumtop Hanging Birdbath

Suspend the Sea

This unit is perfect for patios and trees when you don't want to disturb the lawn.
Best Hanging

Find on Amazon

When your area is limited and creative thinking is required, Mumtop’s Hanging Birdbath will provide hydration and hygiene in style.  This birdbath basin measures 11″ in diameter and 2″ in depth, allowing a small flock to wet their beaks at once. While the size is slightly compact, the quality of the design is impressive. This hanging birdbath is available in two styles: swirls of blue peacock feathers or the center of a splendid sunflower. The thick glass and steel chain come attached without assembly required and perfectly tie together balconies, porches, and patios with its universally compatible design.

Pros:

  • Easy to fill and maintain
  • Small enough to be used as a bird feeder too
  • Glass is approximately ¼” thick

Cons:

  • It can heat up in direct sunlight more quickly than white marble bowls

Yosager Birdbath Bowl

Private Puddle Plate

If your space is limited, this birdbath allows attachment to nearly any flat surface for an unbeatable price.
Best Value

Find on Amazon

If your bird budget is rock bottom and your real estate is limited, Yosager has everything you need to bring the party to a deck near you. The Birdbath Bowl discards the traditional paradigm of heavy ground mounts for the birdbath, boasting an ingenious clamp instead. This setup is suitable for railings up to around 2″ thick and requires only the twist of your wrist and some water to be fully operational. Whether you live in an upper floor apartment or just don’t want to clutter your yard, Yosager’s Birdbath Bowl is a minimalist masterpiece that can find its nest in the tightest of spaces while providing an incredible view.

Pros:

  • No hardware required to install
  • Fantastic value for the price
  • Extremely lightweight build

Cons:

  • The arm may need to be bent to make the birdbath level

Erytlly Birdbath and Feeding Station

The Full Spa Treatment

Erytlly's bird station will attract feathered flocks for miles with four stations to satisfy every need.
Most Versatile

Find on Amazon

Erytlly has almost everything a bird could ask for in a pit stop with their Birdbath and Feeding Station. To start, this station is fully equipped with four hooks to hang various feeding stations. Besides the hooks, there are two circular metal wires in which the included plastic birdbaths and circular feeders sit. In addition to this hardware, Erytlly includes a suet cage with your purchase. This nontraditional birdfeeder stores rendered fat that birds need at the major change of seasons. When you want to help the migration along and observe some beautiful colors, songs, and socializing, you can trust Erytlly to attract the flock year after year.

Pros:

  • Five sharp prongs for secure anchoring
  • Wingnuts allow custom configuration of hooks and bowls
  • Quality customer service

Cons:

  • No traditional bird feeder included

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all birds use birdbaths?

Although all sorts of birds use birdbaths to clean themselves, hydration is an equally — if not more — important function of these fixtures. Because birds do not have sweat glands, they have much lower water intake requirements than mammals and only need to stop to drink on average twice a day. But that’s not to say that improving access to clean water sources isn’t important for maintaining bird populations. Birds that subsist off seeds are more likely to use birdbaths because their diet is more water-restrictive than omnivores or carnivores.

How often do birds bathe?

Birds must bathe often to maintain proper hygiene, which in turn maintains proper flight. When birds splash themselves in water or cover themselves in dust, they are cleaning their plumage. The buildup of oils and dirt can lead to dry skin, matted feathers, and possibly lice if not adequately maintained. Both land and sea birds participate in this ritual with distinctive moves and typically follow up with preening and drying, also essential for maintaining aerodynamics and insulation.