Bird Baths Pedestal

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Birds love to bath. Their feathers carry diseases, but they still prefer to remain clean. That is why bird baths exist. And for your yard, we give you a bird bath pedestal. Now your little winged friends can bath in style, nestled atop a handsome and decorative pedestal. They can have a drink, take a dip, cool off from the heat of the day, and do so for your viewing pleasure.

Tara Gosselin Interior Design Expert

Tara is a San Antonio-based award-winning landscape architect, writer and educator, passionate about eco-friendly solutions and growing her own food. She knows all it takes to help you create a sustainable backyard retreat that combines blissful charm with a modern take on landscaping.

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Updated 13/04/2023

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Bird Baths Pedestal

Buying Guide

Bird baths are a useful and charming addition to any garden. Let us help you choose the perfect style, size and materials for your new backyard bird oasis.

Bird baths are a charming addition to any garden or backyard. Not only that, but according to ornithologists, having a birdbath in your garden will attract more birds than a bird feeder alone. They mimic natural puddles found in nature and attract local birds into your garden to bathe and drink.

To help you choose the perfect birdbath for your home, we are listing the best styles, materials, and design features, as well as the best tips for an easy maintenance birdbath you can enjoy for years.

What materials are best for birdbaths?

The best materials for birdbaths are generally ones that can be cleaned easily. Traditional English garden birdbaths are made out of concrete or terracotta. These make a lovely lawn ornament, however they can be very difficult to clean.

Due to stagnant water and debris brought in by the birds, birdbaths are prone to algae growth, and porous concrete holds this more than other materials. If you live in colder climates, concrete and glazed stone birdbaths are also prone to cracking in extreme frosts.

Plastic is another common material used for modern birdbaths. These are much easier to keep clean but are usually not as aesthetically pleasing.

Porcelain or ceramic birdbaths are a beautiful alternative as long as the dish does not have a steep slope that the birds will slip down.

For something more decorative that is also easy to clean, glass or blown glass birdbaths are both colorful, durable and easy to clean.

How big should a birdbath be?

The size of your birdbath will primarily depend on how big your garden is. However, there are several other considerations for the size and height of your birdbath.

For example, if the basin is too shallow, the water will dry up. A small diameter may also lead to territorial issues if there isn't enough room for different birds.

If it is too deep, birds might not be able to bathe in it like they would in a natural puddle. It may also get dirty faster with too much water.

In general, the water in your birdbath should be no more than about 1-2 inches deep. It should also have a gently sloped basin so the birds can get in and out easily.

For best results, choose a birdbath that provides varied depths so that you accommodate different bird species. You could also find decorative rocks that will allow birds to sit at different heights.

What are the desirable features of pedestal birth baths?

While the design and size are both equally as important, so is the bird's comfort. A bird bath pedestal featuring a small lip will best accommodate small birds. The bird bath should feature a textured surface so their small talons can grip. Ideally, the bath should be approximately one to two inches deep.

Is the height of a birth bath pedestal important?

Did you know that the height of a bird bath pedestal is something to make a priority? The main reason is that it becomes a critical point when birds need to drink. The smaller the bird, the more comfortable they are with a taller bird bath. They prefer having a better field of view. However, doves, ducks, and quail prefer drinking water at ground level.

Tips for a low maintenance birdbath

Birdbaths can be beautiful, but they can also mean more cleaning and maintenance around the garden. To avoid this, you need to choose the right design.

Birdbaths often start to fill with unsightly algae. This is because many traditional styles let the water sit stagnantly. This results in growth, and ultimately fewer birds enjoying your carefully chosen design feature.

There are a few ways you can reduce and mitigate this issue.

Firstly, opt for easy to clean birdbaths. Although heavy stone is a traditional birdbath style, it may become impossible to clean even if you maintain it regularly. Instead, choose one made of ceramic or stone-look plastic. This will make it much easier to clean.
Secondly, place your birdbath in the shade where possible. Algae grow from natural spores carried by birds and nearby plants and will grow faster in exposed sunlight.
Lastly, try choosing a birdbath that has running water. This would be a good option if the birdbath is somewhere in your garden that you don't often see. A small running water source that is solar-powered means that you will have to clean it a lot less.

Finding the perfect birdbath is the ideal decorative addition to your garden that will also keep the local birds happy!