Birdbath – Just Watching Birds

There are over 1107 bird species in the United States, and all are naturally attracted to pools of water. That's because they, just like any other living creature, need water to drink and bathe. It, therefore, stands to reason that having the best heated bird bath in your yard will attract different birds. And that allows you to get a closer look at the most beautiful species in your region. You also get to learn a thing or two about their behavior. Birds in your yard can help facilitate pollination, which is key to plant reproduction. They can also eat up parasites and pests that may become a nuisance if not kept in check. So how exactly can you determine the best heated bird bath to install in your yard? [amazon box="B0006HRQN6,B0006HRQMW,B017CRYRQG,B0006HRQNQ,B00596UOZ6,B00E32RGUI,B07FB7R479,B01MREHT6T" template="table"] How to Choose the Best Heated Bird Bath image source: Pexels If you are a hobbyist or nature lover who is just beginning to learn about birds, you might have problems choosing the best heated bird bath. Use the information below to help you settle on the ideal product for your yard. The how and what of construction The importance of the construction materials of any bird bath cannot be understated. The best heated bird bath should feature quality materials to help enhance durability. Ideal baths feature crack-proof plastic construction to withstand the changes in weather. A number of these baths may be porcelain, but these have a risk of cracking when exposed to fluctuating temperatures. The surface should also be rough enough to ensure birds have excellent traction when landing. Will it hold them all? All birds need clean drinking water, and that is why you should determine which ones you want to cater to. Small bird baths are likely to accommodate small bird species but may not be ideal for larger species. For the safety of small birds, it may be prudent to pick baths that are only three inches deep. Anything deeper poses a risk to the birds’ safety and makes it hard for them to land. Such a bath also needs to have sloped sides. If you want to attract larger birds such as pigeons, you may want to go for slightly larger baths. Keep in mind that the vigorous bathing of such birds can use up a lot of water, which is why a larger product is ideal. Hands-on vs. laid back The last thing you want is a bird bath that requires a lot of attention with regards to cleanliness and repair. The best bird baths require minimal supervision and often remain functional even with little to no maintenance works. Placement is a breeze The best bird bath should come fully or partially assembled and have straightforward instructions for installation. They should also be compact and sturdy enough to position in specific areas of the yard. How it works The best heated bird bath features an automatic thermostat that turns on or off depending on prevailing weather conditions. That ensures efficient consumption of energy and eliminates the need for you to keep turning it on or off. How We Reviewed the Best Heated Bird Bath Options image source: Pexels The parameters mentioned above hugely influenced our choice for the best heated bird bath. We considered the diameter and depth of each to ensure that none is too large to compromise stability nor too deep to pose a threat to the birds’ safety. Built-in thermostats and heating elements for self-regulated temperatures are also crucial. The baths on this list are easy to clean and offer a simple way to mount or position within your yard. Finally, Amazon customer reviews also played a role in determining the best heated bird bath. The Top 8 Heated Bird Baths for Your Yard While there are many heated bird baths on the market, these come across as durable and easy to maintain. This list is in no particular order. 1. API 650 Mounted Heated Bird Bath [amazon box="B0006HRQN6”] The API 650 Mounted Heated Bird Bath features robust plastic construction for durability. Its 20-inch diameter provides ample room for holding the right amount of water for birds to drink and bathe. It also features the Tilt-To-Clean mounting bracket, which makes it easy to drain dirty water when cleaning up. The bracket is affixed to the rail with a screw clamp to prevent tipping over in case of strong winds. The bird bath sports an efficient built-in 150-watt thermostat to maintain water temperature regardless of the changing weather conditions. A 120-volt heating element located beneath the plastic pan produces sufficient warmth even when temperatures drop to -20 degrees Fahrenheit. Its electric cord stores neatly underneath the basin when not in use. The API 650 Mounted Heated Bird Bath has a rating of 4.2 out of 5.0 stars on Amazon. 2. API 600 Heated Bird Bath Bowl [amazon box="B0006HRQMW”] This particular bird bath features a bowl that is 20 inches in diameter and 2 inches in depth, making it possible to accommodate multiple birds. While it lacks a pedestal on which it can sit, its adapter clamp easily mounts on surfaces and stands. The innovative rim design offers an excellent landing spot for different birds. This bird bath comes fully assembled, so you don’t have to worry about putting it together. The API Heated Bird Bath has an automatic 150-watt thermostat to regulate the water’s temperature regardless of prevailing weather conditions. Reviewers on Amazon give this bird bath a rating of 4.3 out of 5.0 stars. 3. Songbird Essentials SE995 Songbird Spa [amazon box="B017CRYRQG”] The Songbird Essentials SE995 Songbird Spa features a minimalist design that allows you to install it in three ways. It can mount on a deck, on the ground, or an adjustable clamp mount for increased flexibility. Its 14.8-inch diameter and 2.3-inch depth offer enough space for the birds to bathe. The shallow depth ensures it remains safe for small birds. It comes with a built-in 75-watt heating element to ensure the water is warm throughout the day. That, coupled with an automatic low-powered thermostat, keeps water from freezing even when temperatures drop to -10 degrees. Amazon reviewers give this heated bird bath a rating of 4.1 out of 5.0 stars. 4. API 970 Heated Bird Bath [amazon box="B0006HRQNQ”] This API 970 Heated Bird Bath features a 20-inch, light-colored diameter pan that holds a sufficient amount of water for several birds to drink and bathe. The pan features crack-proof, BPA-free plastic construction to withstand the elements and remain durable. This bird bath has a firm metal stand that is 30 inches tall, 20 inches wide, and 2 inches thick to offer a rigid platform on which the pan can sit without the possibility of being knocked over by the wind. The bath can position on two platforms: on the ground or a wooden deck railing. It boasts of an innovative thermostat for temperature regulation and an energy-efficient heating element that operates at 150 watts. They both help prevent frosting of water in frigid weather. It has a ragged rim that makes it easy for birds with different types of talons to land and balance. Amazon reviewers rate it a 4.1 out of 5.0 stars. 5. Farm Innovators 3-In-1 Heated Birdbath [amazon box="B00596UOZ6”] The Farm Innovators 3-In-1 Heated Birdbath can install in three ways. They include the deck, ground, and clamp mounting to suit your house or garden design. It has four screws for robust and secure mounting. This bird bath features an automatic thermostat that only fires up during cold days. That makes the whole system energy-efficient and keeps your power bill down. The thermostat keeps the water warm even when temperatures drop to -10 degrees. Its power cord stores away securely and remains hidden during warm weather to maintain aesthetics. This product is available in two color options: green and light green to attract birds. Reviewers on Amazon give this bird bath a rating of 4.0 out of 5.0 stars. 6. Songbird Essentials Heated Bird Bath [amazon box="B00E32RGUI”] The Songbird Essential Heated Bird Bath features robust construction for durability, and while it requires assembling, the process is relatively simple and does not take up much of your time. It has a distinct Western red cedar wood stand that gives it an elegant look. The stand offers a solid 22-inch high pedestal capable of withstanding even the strongest of winds. Atop it is a heavy-duty plastic pan that ensures water doesn’t leak. The 14-inch diameter and 1-inch deep pan holds sufficient water while maintaining safe levels even for small birds. A 60-watt thermostatic heating element keeps the water warm during cold seasons and prevents freezing even when temperatures drop to -20 degrees. The thermostat is powered by a carefully hidden 12-inch electric cord that runs within the pedestal. Additionally, a dual-ringed heater fires up at 32 degrees for energy efficiency. This bird bath has a 4.2 out of 5.0 star rating on Amazon. 7. K&H Pet Products 9006 Thermo-Birdbath [amazon box="B07FB7R479”] This particular bird bath features UV-resistant plastic construction to help enhance durability regardless of prevailing weather conditions. A non-slip surface promotes better traction for birds when landing and bathing, while the four-inch depth ensures both smaller and larger birds can drink and bathe. This bird bath has an attractive stone color to match any backyard and features a round base for easy placement. Its innovative design makes for easy cleaning and refilling of water. The K&H comes with an 80-watt removable heater for convenient heating during winter. The heater is thermostatically controlled to turn on and off depending on prevailing weather conditions. This bird bath comes with a 2-year warranty and has an Amazon rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars. 8. Erva Heated Bird Bath with Pole [amazon box="B01MREHT6T”] This bird bath features robust plastic construction to help promote durability despite the changing weather conditions. It has a 13-inch diameter which is large enough to accommodate several small birds at the same time. The basin rests inside a gray, steel frame to further reinforce protection from the elements. This bird bath comes with a sturdy steel pole for easy positioning in the soil. A carefully concealed 60-watt heating element under the basin keeps water warm even during the coldest of days. The heater is controlled by a thermostat that turns on automatically when temperatures drop to unfavorable levels. This bird bath comes with a one-year warranty and is available on Amazon with no reviews yet. Pick the Best Heated Bird Bath for Your Feathered Friends Every item on this list ticks all the boxes for the best heated bird bath. The Amazon reviews are a true testament to this fact. They're robust, long-lasting, and come with specific warranties for good measure. More importantly, they all have a thermostat and heating element to help maintain a favorable temperature for the birds. The baths feature sturdy stands capable of withstanding strong winds and holding up significant weight. If they lack a stand, the mounts offer a stable hold. Their robust build ensures that they will last a few years without requiring any special attention and repair. Do you know of any other bird bath that should be included on this list of the best heated bird baths? Go ahead and let us know in the comment section below. Featured image source: Pixabay