Expert Reveals 3 Surprising Reasons Why Birds Are Repelled by Your Bird Bath: ‘It’s Possibly...’
A hummingbird or a blue jay doesn’t wake up in the morning and head to a tiny bathroom built into their nest with little ceramic tiles and a fancy golden tap wash basin. So, these cunning feathery creatures put the onus on humans to arrange a luxurious bird bath for them. But the story doesn’t end here. These birdie buddies have got an attitude and a standard. They won’t even let their fuzzy bodies touch a bird bath unless it complies with their standard of hygiene, safety, and glamour. This is the reason why many people, such as the Reddit user u/Arkvansing, have a persistent complaint that birds won’t even perch on their bird baths.
“Why do birds hate my bird bath?” the Reddit user said disappointingly in the post. Beneath the caption, they shared a picture of their bird bath carved in a colorful mosaic of tiny-sized ceramic tiles with a blue-tiled pedestal tub rising from a floor of mulch and fallen leaves. In response to their lament, hundreds of bird-keepers jumped into the comments section to share their opinions on why their bird bath wasn’t attracting birds. Many reflected that the bath was standing lonesome without the camouflaging elements of bushes or plants. In the absence of appropriate cover, the birds won’t feel safe to take a bath. Plus, there’s the risk of falling into a predator’s trap without the essential protection of bushes, foliage, or trees. Bottlebrushes, grevilleas, banksias, and passion fruit plants are a few examples.
Experts also agree with this tip. “Place the bath near a brush pile, evergreen or shrub so birds can make a quick escape if threatened by a hawk or other predator,” Jennifer McCarthy Tyrrell, engagement manager, Audubon South Carolina, said in an interview with Southern Living magazine. Another reason why these raptors don’t find a bird bath too inviting is that “it’s possibly too deep,” as u/Ellarebee74 commented. Tyrrell said that “If your bath is deeper than 1-2 inches in the center, many smaller songbirds will feel wary of the depth and may only take a drink from the rim of the bath.” Tyrrell suggested sprinkling some river rocks in the water to make it shallower where birds can effortlessly flap, roll, and bathe their feathers.
They can be too deep, or they can be too glazed, so they become slippery for the birds and hard to clean for the keepers. A pretty-looking bath may make a nice ornament for the garden, but may not always align with the bird’s desires. AllAboutBirds.com explains that the best bird baths usually “mimic nature’s birdbaths: puddles and shallow pools of water in slow streams.” Tyrrell explained that this is another reason baths mounted on an elevation repel birds because they’re not used to bathing on raised platforms. These feathered friends will not take the bath if the water is cloudy or murky, which indicates the presence of mold, mildew, algae, or, basically, dirty water.
Ultimately, it is for the delight of humans alone. To witness an iridescent hummingbird or a purple-green starling or a white-collared dove perched on your bird bath, dipping its bill in the shallow basin and gazing at the reflection of a skulking creature who didn’t compromise on their desire for luxury. Because these warblers won’t stop by a bird bath unless it fits the size of their bathing fantasies. They need what they need, and if what they need is an ornamental, pedestaled jacuzzi enshrouded by rose bushes or golden grassy creepers, then that’s what you should build in your garden if you desire to attract them more often. When it comes to bird baths, it’s a bird’s world. Humans are just their bathroom architects.