Best Bird Baths: Top 5 Garden Favorites Most Recommended By Experts

Attracting birds to your outdoor spaces not only benefits our feathered friends but provides a look into nature right in our backyard. Hanging a bird feeder is a solid start. Another way to keep those birds flocking to your yard is by adding a bird bath. Birds enjoy cooling off and drinking from bird baths on warm days. Instead of purchasing an eyesore, consider some of the best bird baths that are aesthetically pleasing, yet keep the birdies happy.

Did you know that being around birds can help you mentally? Scientists at King’s College London say that seeing or hearing birds provides an uplifting feeling that lasts for up to eight hours. The study took place between April 2018 and October 2021. It involved more than 1,200 participants from the U.S. and Europe taking nearly 27,000 app-based assessments. “By using the Urban Mind app, we have for the first time showed the direct link between seeing or hearing birds and positive mood,” says the study’s lead author Ryan Hammoud, a research assistant at the college’s Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience. 

Unfortunately, a majority of bird species in the United States are rapidly declining, according to the 2022 U.S. State of the Birds report. The report shows populations declining in every habitat —except wetlands. More than one-third of grassland birds in the Great Plains have died off since 1970 and 70 newly identified species have now hit “Tipping Point” status. This means they will lose another half in 50 years without preservation efforts.

That being said, now is as good a time as any to help your backyard birds with a bird bath for them. There are a lot of different types and styles to pick from, so we’ve narrowed down the choices for you. StudyFinds consulted 10 expert websites to compile a list of the five best bird baths to have in your garden. As always, we’d like to see your own recommendations in the comments below! 

The List: Best Bird Baths, According to Expert Reviews

 

1. VIVOHOME Bird Bath

Ranging from $30 to $50, this elegant standing bird bath with an antique feel gets high marks from reviewers. Garden Gate says it’s, “designed with an elegant European style. The hollow base makes it easy to move around, so you can place it anywhere in the garden without fuss – perfect for anybody who likes to rethink their style every couple of months.”

VIVOHOME Bird Bath
VIVOHOME Bird Bath

“Made of lightweight and weather-resistant polyresin, this antique-inspired bird bath adds a touch of class to any garden. The bowl is about 19 inches across, giving your bird friends plenty of room to splash around. Three stakes hold it firmly in the ground,” points out Country Living

This model can also be purchased with a fountain attachment. “If you want the ambiance of a fountain without threading a cord through your garden, you’ll love this bird bath and fountain combo. The VIVOHOME Outdoor Bird Bath is an attractive resin pedestal unit, and it comes with a removable solar-powered fountain pump that comes with several heads to display a variety of water patterns,” points out The Spruce.

However, some reviewers did note this bird bath can be a bit wobbly. A quick fix? Try stabilizing it by filling the base with some stones. 

2. Alpine Corporation Ceramic Pedestal Bird Bath

This two-piece ceramic bird bath has some unique design features. But it is more expensive, at $99, with only a couple of color choices. It stands 24-inches tall and comes with a 16-inch bowl. The Spruce notes it, “comes with a purposefully distressed crackle glaze that creates an antique appearance. The base of the unit has a flying bird decoration on the side, and two little ceramic birds adorn the rim of the bath, as well.”

Alpine Corporation Ceramic Pedestal Bird Bath
Alpine Corporation Ceramic Pedestal Bird Bath

“This pretty glazed ceramic bath looks lovely in any garden. It features a shallow bowl and decorative, antique-looking accents. Amazon reviewers note assembly is quick and easy,” adds Birds & Blooms.

According to Country Living, “If your garden is full of colorful flowers, we recommend going for this vintage-inspired, white bird bath. The shallow bowl lets more than one bird drink or splash around at the same time.” However, one does take some extra care. You’ll want to store it in the winter to avoid cold weather damage

3. Evergreen Tiffany-Inspired Hanging Bird Bath

Maybe you don’t like the style or have the space for a pedestal bird bath. Well, if that’s the case, a hanging bird bath is a great option. One standout in particular is this glass hanging bird bath from Evergreen.  You can find it for as little as $30. 

Evergreen Tiffany-Inspired Hanging Bird Bath
Evergreen Tiffany-Inspired Hanging Bird Bath

“At 14 inches in diameter and 21.25 inches tall, it’s one of the smaller baths on this list. The bath is easy to install and comes with a hook to hang it on poles, branches, and even decks. While it’s intended to be used as a bath, users also can fill it with birdseed and use it as a bird feeder. This bird bath can hold up to 3 cups of water or birdseed and is available in a single color scheme,” according to Bob Vila.

“The tastefully colorful design is like a stained-glass window for the birds. It has a sturdy metal chain so you can hang it from a tree, pergola, or overhanging roof. The bowl is heavy enough that it won’t blow too much in the wind. The chains can be removed for easy cleaning or to turn the bowl into a tabletop birdbath,” suggests Epic Gardening

The brand also has many other designs, like one of Birding Depot‘s favorites, the Colors of the Sea design: “This glass birdbath is capable of bewitching birds to your yard as it is specially designed with a craftsman glass hanging bowl.”

4. Hanizi Deck-Mounted Bird Bath Bowl

If you want a close-up view of your bathing bird friends, check this one out. It secures right to your deck or patio railings. The price? $19.99. “The bowl itself is very straightforward, offering a nice flat space for birds to bathe in. The special component, however, lies in its base – instead of actually standing over a flat surface, this bath bowl is clamped onto a deck in a matter of minutes. The clamp stays in place when properly installed, so the birds can bathe without a care in the world,” according to the Miami Herald.

Hanizi Deck-Mounted Bird Bath Bowl
Hanizi Deck-Mounted Bird Bath Bowl

It features a 12-inch plastic bowl that has plenty of room for birds of different sizes to bathe and drink. “This sturdy plastic basin is easy to mount to your deck railing with the included adjustable clamp—no tools required,” adds Birds & Blooms.

Of course, it’s important to keep the water dish clean. Better Homes & Gardens points out, “when it gets dirty, you can just remove the bowl for cleaning and then easily set it back inside its resting spot.” 

5. Best Choice Products Vintage Outdoor Resin Pedestal Bird Bath

This is a very similar option to our number one pick, but slightly less expensive. This 28-inch pedestal offering from Best Choice Products is a budget-friendly $39.99, and comes in three finishes. The bath is made from resin, which means it’s weather-resistant and will help preserve its vintage look. The construction is also super durable, and it shouldn’t break if it accidentally falls,” according to Bird Watching HQ.  

Best Choice Products Vintage Outdoor Resin Pedestal Bird Bath
Best Choice Products Vintage Outdoor Resin Pedestal Bird Bath

Birding Depot adds it, “comes with scallop-like engravings, roomy enough to satisfy birds to drink and wade into. It is made with plastic but it looks like metal and is a type of plastic that’s made of high quality. Its base and pedestal stand once filled with water or sand will become sturdy enough to resist windy periods.”

” With plenty of favorable reviews and a modest price point, you really can’t go wrong with this birdbath. It also comes in three different colors, all of which are pleasing to the eye,” notes Garden Gate Magazine.

One pro tip: Be sure to remember to refill and clean your bird baths regularly, to keep your feathered visitors healthy and thriving.

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Sources:

Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This post may contain affiliate links. 

Comments

  1. I’ve heard birds avoid glazed surfaces because they are too slippery. My friends experience the same. My favorite is the Heated birdbath from Fleet Farm. The electric heating element kicks in when Temps reach 40° and withstands sub-zero temperatures.

  2. I wouldn’t use medal birdbaths in Florida. They get way too hot if in the sun.
    By the way, it freaks me out to have this article in my Google News that I read everyday. I’ve been looking for birdbaths online for 2 days. The ones shown in this article are some that I scanned onto thru Walmart and Home Depot websites. Nothing is off limits, including this posting

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