Although completely unnecessary for wild bird survival in most regions, heated birdbaths have become very popular backyard bird gadgets.
Heated pedestal-style birdbaths, or "bird spas" as they are sometimes called, are most popular with people who do not have ponds landscaped into their yards. Equally popular are small, stand-alone heaters that are fastened to the sides of elevated birdbaths during winter months.
Both of these rather simple options will attract some birds to your yard. Unfortunately, elevated birdbaths are not as attractive to birds as ground level ponds. Therefore the range of birds you attract with either of these elevated choices may be limited to sparrows and robins.
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Ground level ponds, by contrast, will invite a wider range of birds. And because ponds are deeper and insulated by the ground, they are less prone to overnight freeze ups than elevated birdbaths.
Those benefits aside, though, there are also downsides to heated ponds. Chief among these are energy costs and cleaning challenges.
Ponds typically require bigger heaters. In most cases, this means a trough heater purchased at the local farm supply store. Running one of these all winter may not break the bank, but given the cost of energy right now, it certainly won't be free.
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Sunken ponds also have the disadvantage of being difficult to clean during winter months. Therefore, smaller ponds frequented by pigeons and other rats of the bird world can be turned, by spring, into disease filled soups that are not pleasant to be around.
Whether you decide to go with a simple, heated dog dish or an elaborate, heated pond, you will certainly attract more birds to your yard this winter than if you offer no water at all.
© Brent Johner. Originally published in Calgary Gardening, Fall 2005. Reprint rights available. $9.95 CDN. Non-exclusive.
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