Providing water for birds

Here’s everything you need to know about providing water for birds

Like us, birds need water to survive – and many backyard species need fresh water to drink and bathe in. Providing a source of safe, clean water is a great way to help local native birds – especially in times of extreme heat.

Choosing your water source

Whether it’s an inner city balcony, a suburban backyard or a rural garden, adding a water source to your home is a simple but effective way that you can help local native birds and wildlife year-round.

You don’t need to buy a fancy bird bath, either – everyday household items are also a great option.

You can use:

• Plastic tubs and containers
• Buckets
• Hanging pots
• Upside-down bin lids
• Kitchen pots or pans
• Ceramic dishes, or even
• A clam shell pool.

Try to avoid metal, as this can overheat in hot weather.

Different species prefer different depths of water, so try a variety of shapes and sizes to see what water sources work best for the birds in your backyard.

Keep it fresh

Birds are using this water to drink and bathe in, so it will need to be replaced daily to avoid the spread of disease (and mozzies!)

Keep it clean

by cleaning and scrubbing your bird bath regularly. You can clean and disinfect containers in your dishwasher, or by soaking them in a bleach solution (one cup of domestic-strength bleach to four litres of water). Rinse thoroughly and leave it in the sun to dry.

Keep it cool

by placing the water source in shade, away from direct sunlight.

Keep it safe

by placing water sources close to trees and shrubs, so birds can have an escape route and a safe place to hide and keep watch. Add a perch, such as rocks, a brick or branch to the water (especially if the bath is smooth or deep). If a bird or other animal falls in, it can climb out safely.

Keep pets away

or indoors, where they can’t reach the water source or the birds using it.

Other things to consider:

• Think about the birds you want to attract. Abundant, pest or introduced species will often dominate food and water sources, so choose a quiet spot close to shrubs to attract smaller, shyer native species. You can also avoid bath bullies by placing a range of water sources at different heights around your garden, so that every bird has a place to drink and bathe.
• Stay alert. If you’ve got a pond, check it daily in case a bird has fallen in, and provide a ramp or heavy rope so they can get out.