Do Birds Need Water in Winter?
Yes. Birds need water to drink and to keep their feathers clean all winter, and open water is often harder to find than food. A heated bird bath can make your yard the busiest one on the street.
Why winter water matters
Birds can eat snow, but melting it uses energy they need to stay warm. When ponds and puddles freeze, a source of open water saves them that effort.
Clean feathers also insulate better. Birds preen and occasionally bathe even in winter to keep their feathers in good shape.
Choose a heated bird bath
A heated bird bath has a built-in, thermostat-controlled heater that keeps the water just above freezing. It turns on only when needed, so it uses little electricity.
If you already have a bath you love, a submersible de-icer does the same job. Look for one made for bird baths, with a thermostat and a safe, low-wattage design.
Open water in winter brings in birds that never visit seed feeders, like robins and bluebirds. This bath has a built-in thermostat, so it only heats when the water is close to freezing.
Check price on Amazon for API Heated Bird Bath with Stand (opens Amazon)Already have a bird bath you love? Drop this heater in and it keeps an opening of water free of ice all winter.
Check price on Amazon for API Birdbath De-Icer (opens Amazon)Where to put it
Place the bath in the open, about 10 to 15 feet from shrubs, so birds can see danger coming but still have cover nearby. A spot visible from your window means you'll enjoy it too.
A deck-mounted bath is easy to refill from the house in snowy weather.
The same thermostatically controlled heated bowl with a bracket that clamps to a deck railing, so you can watch from inside and refill without boots.
Check price on Amazon for API Heated Bird Bath with Deck Mount (opens Amazon)Keep it clean and full
Refill the bath every day or two, since birds drink a lot and water evaporates. Scrub it every week or so. Never add antifreeze, salt or any chemicals to keep water open.
A budget-friendly heated bowl that can sit on the ground, a stand or a deck. A good way to try winter water without spending much.
Check price on Amazon for Farm Innovators Heated Bird Bath (opens Amazon)Frequently asked questions
Is it safe for birds to bathe in winter?
Generally yes. Birds rarely bathe in extreme cold. If temperatures drop far below zero, you can lay a few sticks across the bath so birds can drink without getting soaked.
Do heated bird baths use a lot of electricity?
No. A thermostat turns the heater on only when the water is near freezing.
Can I use an extension cord?
Yes, use an outdoor-rated cord and a GFCI outlet, and keep connections off the ground and dry.
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