If you’re thinking of setting up your yard for birds who stay for the winter months, don’t forget about the water. Searching for water sources uses a lot of energy and takes birds further away from the food sources you’re already offering. You can do this by adding a heated bird bath, a bird bath de-icer if you have a bird bath that can withstand cold temperatures, or, if you don’t have an outdoor electrical outlet, simply place water in a basic plastic bird bath in a sunny location for a few hours each day. Your birds will appreciate it!

Birds need water every day to stay hydrated, as well as for bathing. It’s important for them to keep their feathers aligned and in good condition to stay warm. If you have a heated bird bath or decide to add one, remember it’s not a hot tub. The water will not be hot, but it won’t freeze. Once the temperature dips below 23 degrees celsius you may see some ice begin to form around the inside edges of the bird bath, but there will still be open water in the centre. Water will also evaporate faster in a heated bird bath so be sure to keep an eye on it. It’s a good idea to keep a 2 litre pop bottle or large orange juice container handy to make refills easy. Placing your birdbath in a nice sunny location will make it attractive to the birds. If your bird bath is more than 2 inches deep, add some stones in the bath so small birds can stop by for a drink. Regular cleaning is important to keep our feathered friends healthy.

We offer a wide selection of heated bird baths and de-icers in our store locations and online. You can choose from a variety of styles including deck or post mounted, pedestal, or a sand-coated bath that can be placed on the ground or a table. You can save 10% on our heated bird baths and de-icers until October 31!

You can take it one step further and add a winter roosting house and/or small roosting pockets and voila, you have an all-inclusive resort for the birds!

Happy Birding!

Jane Paradis

Urban Nature Store Brand Ambassador