6 Bird Bath Fountain Styles to Lure Different Species
Moving Water Catches Birds' Attention
The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto
Water is essential for birds and while a simple bird bath can provide space for drinking and preening, more elaborate designs like bird bath fountains have many benefits and can attract more birds to any birder's yard. If you're preparing to purchase a bird bath with a fountain, you have a plethora of operating features to consider, including solar, pump, battery, or electric. Learn more about why fountains can be a good addition to bird baths and how to choose one.
Bird Bath Fountain Styles
A birdbath fountain is more than a simple basin filled with water. A bird fountain will include a pump to circulate the water into a flowing, falling, or splashing arrangement, as well as unique structures and designs to make the most of drips, splashes, and streams. The pump may be solar, electric, or battery-operated, and the flow capacity can vary from a simple spray or dribble to a larger, more vigorous waterfall. The overall capacities, depths, sizes, shapes, and materials for bird bath fountains vary greatly, but the most common and popular designs include:
Tiered: Tiered basins include smaller basins flowing or dribbling into a deeper bottom reservoir from several symmetrically spaced spouts.
Bubbler: A small spray or bubbler in the center of a single basin creates an upward fountain that splashes back into the pool or causes continuous rippling.
Cascades: Cascades of rocks, jars, pots, or similar elements in a staircase arrangement of gradually increasing sizes spill water into a large reservoir at the bottom.
Spigots: One or more spigots on the sides of the basin spray toward the center, often onto a central figure or focal point.
Wall-mounted: A wall-mounted tiered design lacks a pedestal but offers the same flowing features, including a small basin or bowl at the base.
Weeping: A small bubbler at the top will flow over a rock or other textured surface into a lower basin but without aerial splashing.
In addition to different types of fountains, there are many design options. Geometric designs are popular, as are natural accents such as small sculptures or carvings of butterflies, flowers, birds, frogs, turtles, dragonflies, and other creatures that might enjoy the water. Some fountains are plain, while others are embellished with colorful accents. When selecting a fountain, opt for a design that matches well with the theme or overall look of your yard or garden so it blends well with the landscape.
Pros and Cons of Birdbaths
Because fountains can require more upkeep than a simple concrete birdbath or other basic basins, birders should carefully consider the pros and cons of these designs before investing in a fountain.
Pros
Sounds: Splashing sounds attract a greater number of bird species, and the soft flow of water can be aesthetically pleasing for enjoying one's garden.
Cleanliness: Recirculating water stays cleaner without the opportunity for algae buildup as quickly, and moving water is less likely to harbor mosquitoes or other insects.
Size: With multiple tiers or larger space, a fountain can accommodate a greater number of birds and larger bird species without needing constant refills.
Cons
Evaporation: Moving water will evaporate more quickly. If the basin level gets too low, the pump could be damaged or will not work as efficiently.
Price: Because of the pump mechanism, bird bath fountains are typically more expensive than simpler models, and both battery and electric models require some minimal cost to operate.
Seasonal Use: To protect delicate pumps and piping, fountains are not suitable outdoors in areas with winter freezes, though they can be used year-round in very mild or southern climates.
Making a DIY Bird Bath Fountain
You can make a very simple bird bath and add a fountain or bubbler using an easy kit. You can also buy a fountain or bubbler kit to add to an existing bird bath. Kits can be placed in the bird bath and run by solar or electricity to recirculate water. To make a "fountain" from scratch, you can use this method:
Hang a plastic bottle or bucket over a bird bath.
Fill it with water.
Add a tiny hole at the bottom of the container to let water slowly drip into the basin. The size of the hole determines the flow of the water.
Monitor and fill the container with water when it's empty.
If you want to forgo the kit or bottle idea and just make the water in the bird bath move to attract more birds, there are battery-operated gizmos that sit in the water and agitate it by wiggling around.
Where to Buy Bird Bath Fountains
While most garden centers or bird supply stores will have a limited selection of fountains suitable for bird bath use, a greater variety of sizes and designs can be found online.
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The price of fountains range from $100 to $500 and higher depending on the size, style, materials, and intricacy of the design. Since fountains can be very heavy, be sure to include shipping costs to determine the total price, and investigate warranty and guarantee offers that may be necessary if the fountain is damaged or does not function correctly.
Caring for a Fountain
A birdbath fountain can be easy to care for if the proper steps are taken to keep it functioning well:
Installation: Before using the fountain, read all instructions carefully, and install the fountain as recommended on a level, sturdy surface where it is not likely to be bumped or tipped.
Placement: Avoid placing the fountain near a bird feeder where the pump could be more easily clogged with discarded seed hulls or other debris.
Skim: Use a small net (the same as used to catch fish in a fish tank) to regularly skim trash out of the fountain between cleanings to keep it working more smoothly.
Monitor: To keep the pump working at its peak, check the water level daily and add more water as needed to replace what is lost to splashing and evaporation.
Winterize: Discontinue fountain use long before freezing weather, and be sure it is fully drained and dry before storing it for the winter so no cracks or other damage occurs.
A birdbath fountain can be a delightful addition to any garden, and the gentle splashing of water will not only attract more thirsty and curious birds but will add more relaxation to any birder's yard.
