Keep It Moving
BY THE WILD BIRD CENTER, WEATHERFORD, TX
Moving water sings to birds just as
birds sing to people. It’s the sound of
summer, the sound of life. So if you
want to enjoy more birds more of the
time, try serenading them with water.
Remember how you feel when you
are exploring and hear the enticing
sound of moving water? When you
offer that same joyous discovery to
the birds, you’ll increase both the
number and kind of visitors that regu-
larly stop by.
Unfortunately, once summer hits,
water sources can be hard to come by
for our feathered friends. Whether it’s
the result of ordinary variations in rain-
fall for your region, or a full-fledged
drought emergency, birds and other
backyard wildlife suffer right along
with us when water levels drop. Birds
need water daily for cleaning and for
preening, for drinking, to cool them-
selves off on hot days, and to help
remove parasites. The good news is
that you don’t have to have a half-
acre pond to make most birds happy.
Getting water for birds is relatively
simple. Birdbaths are extremely
versatile. They can be large or small,
round, square or free-form; they can
stand out as a focal point or disap-
pear into the landscape; they can be
mounted on a pedestal or set flat on
the ground, clamped to a deck rail or
hung from a tree.
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But, while getting the water into the
yard is simple, getting the birds to find
it may not be. Birds are a) creatures
of habit and b) highly dependent on
visual clues. Sometimes the best
place for a new bath isn’t in one of
the usual spots and isn’t on a regular
flight path. But there’s a simple secret
to helping the birds find water quickly
and easily; make it move.
Moving water increases the chances
of birds finding it in two important
ways. The ripples reflect light, caus-
ing it to sparkle and making it more
Water wiggler
visible. Moving water will also make noise, and birds have small but very
efficient ears. Drippers, misters and preformed “waterfall rocks” are two
great choices for creating moving water for birds.
Drippers are most often designed to operate on water pressure with a
connection to a water source like a faucet. A flow-control valve allows you
to “turn down” the water volume until it drops into the bath as slowly as
you like. Drippers are available in a variety of styles. Some are free-stand-
ing and drip into the bowl, some sit in the bottom of the bath while others
attach easily to the edge of any bird bath. By regularly adding fresh water
to your bath, drippers also help keep the water clean and cut down on bird
maintenance.
Waterfall rocks don’t require a water source, but they do require electrical
power. They create a natural feeling in the garden by recirculating water in
the bath. The sound will attract your backyard birds to stop in and investi-
gate. Waterfalls may attract different birds such as Bluebirds or Buntings (if
you’re lucky)!
Misters provide a fine mist for flying through which is perfect for smaller
birds like hummingbirds and are a great low-maintenance way to increase
your bathing options.
Moving water not only helps you attract birds and helps you keep your
water clean, but it also minimizes the chance the mosquitoes will use your
bath for breeding which is a win-win for all.
Bring more color, song and beauty to your backyard this summer with a
bird bath, mister or dripper. Your birds will thank you!