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What are the different types of birdbaths?

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The first difference between birdbaths is between those that are homemade and those that are manufactured. A homemade birdbath can be as simple as a pan filled with water or as complex as a carefully sculpted clay masterpiece. These homemade birdbaths can be a great project to share with children because children will see the fruit of their labor each time the birds arrive.

On the other hand, you can purchase a manufactured birdbath from general retail stores or from birding specialty stores. When you go shopping, however, you will need to make some more decisions:

• Heated vs. Non-Heated: A heated birdbath heats the water just enough to keep the water from completely freezing. Non-heated birdbaths are basically glorified water containers. Another option is to purchase a non-heated birdbath along with a de-icer that will heat it. In the end, both heated and non-heated birdbaths work adequately; you simply need to be aware of the greater expense of a heated birdbath and the greater limitations of the non-heated bath.

• Size: Birdbaths are up to four feet in diameter and a wider bath allows for more birds at any one time, but the important dimension is a birdbath’s depth. A shallow bath deters some larger birds while a deep bath excludes some of the smaller birds. As a compromise, look for a bath with a deep center and shallow sides.

• Pedestal vs. Non-Pedestal: The traditional birdbath sits on top of a pedestal. Non-traditional birdbaths, however, can be anything from a dish that hangs on a tree limb to a container that you set on the ground.

Birdbaths can be a very expensive purchase if you want a large, heated, decorative model. On the other hand, you can make your own birdbath for free. For the most part, all models work equally well for feeding the birds, but certain models also add a certain decorative flair to your yard.

Next Page: What are the qualities of a good birdbath?

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