How Long Will It Take to Attract Birds to Your Birdbath?
You have your beautiful birdbath set up.
You are eagerly watching for the lovely much-awaited birds to show up for a frolicking bath.
You wait…and you wait…and YOU WAIT.
They simply aren’t coming.
What now? When is it time to make a change? And what changes? Should you give up?
How long will it take to attract birds to your birdbath?
It will take about a week or two for birds to come to your bird bath.
If after a month, they are not showing up, go through the checklist below to determine what changes you could make:
Is your birdbath located in the shade? If not, move the birdbath to the shade. This will help keep the water at a cooler temperature for the birds and will also slow down the evaporation of the water.
Is your birdbath under a tree?If it is, the birds may feel vulnerable. Predators could be lurking in the tree. Instead, move the bird bath out from underneath the tree, but still close enough that the birds could quickly flit away to the safety of a tree branch.
Is your birdbath located near a tree that the birds could escape to quickly?Birds want a quick getaway in the event they feel threatened while they are bathing or drinking from your birdbath. Place the birdbath near a tree (or taller shrub) but not under the tree.
Is your bird bath in a busy area?If so, choose a more serene spot for the bird bath. The birds may not feel safe with lots of activity.
Is your bird bath water fresh and clean?If you aren’t sure, tip out the old water. Use a jet spray on your water hose and give the bird bath a good pressure cleaning and then refill the water. Keep the water fresh and clean by refilling the bird bath every 2-3 days.
Is your bird bath clean?If you see any discoloration in the bottom of your bird bath, it’s time, maybe past time, for a good cleaning. Stay in a routine of cleaning your bird bath once a month. For more details on how to clean your birdbath see my blog HERE. Consider getting a fountain for your bird bath to attract the birds and also to help keep the water fresh. Also, throw a couple of pennies in your birdbath to help prevent the growth of algae.
Is the water in your birdbath deeper than 2”?If the water in your birdbath is deeper than 2", add some pebbles or a few flat stones at the bottom of your bird bath.
Is your birdbath a natural color?If your birdbath is brightly colored, consider trading it in for a more natural colored bird bath to attract birds. Use the brightly colored bird bath strictly as a decorative piece in your garden.
Is the bottom surface of your birdbath slick?If the bottom of your birdbath is slick, add a few stones to the bottom of your bird bath. Birds may not feel safe landing on a slick surface.
How tall is your birdbath?Consider trading a taller birdbath in for a shorter bird bath. Birds may feel more comfortable in a birdbath that mimics a mud puddle and therefore, is lower to the ground.
Why Don't Birds Use My Birdbath? by Tracy Crosland
More Tips for Attracting Birds to Your Birdbath
I feel like the most challenging part about attracting birds to your birdbath is determining a location where they will feel safe.
If you have done everything possible to attract birds and they still aren't coming, try a different location entirely.
Closer to a tree. Or further from a tree.
If you feel confident you have nailed the location, try installing a fountain in your birdbath.
The movement and the sound will capture passing birds' attention and attract them to the clean water you have waiting for them.
Another option is to wait for a dry spell: in other words when it hasn't rained in a while.
The birds will be actively searching for fresh water.
Their usual watering holes may have dried up.
Keep your birdbath clean and your water full and fresh.
You may be able to attract birds in a dry stretch that you wouldn't ordinarily be able to attract.
If you do a good job keeping the water fresh, the birds may continue visiting your birdbath even after the rains begin again.
Attracting birds to a birdbath is our attempt at actively participating with nature.
It's worth the time and effort!
When you see your first bird bathing and playing in your birdbath, you will be hooked.
If you decide you simply don't have time to refill and clean your birdbath, then just leave it as a decorative piece in your garden.
IT'S OKAY because there's nothing more charming than a birdbath!
I can give you some tips on how to design around it in this blog HERE.