Bird Baths

Wild birds are easily drawn to bird baths. These birds love to give themselves some bathing. The inviting sight of the water of a birth bath serves as in advertisement to other wild birds. In fact, just hearing the sound of the happy bathers can really draw attention to some other curious birds. Having a bird bath can truly lure wild birds faster to your feeder and your backyard. That is why; if you plan on starting to be a regular bird watcher, it is advised that you put bird baths to attract wild birds faster.

If you think that bird baths that only provide water is the only birdbaths type, think again. There are other some types of needs for “bathing” that wild birds should have. The three other bird baths types include the dust bath, the sun bathing, and the anting or the ant bathing.

Dust Baths- Dust baths are very unusual types of bath. Dust baths actually sound confusing because in the first place, dust is not normally associated with cleansing. But then, it is strongly believed that the reason why wild birds have to have dust baths is simply to get rid of the parasites they have on them. Wild bird dust baths are in reality soil which is in dry form,that is termed as dust. Wild birds perform this particular bathing ritual thru flinging, loosing dry dirt all over them. If you can keenly watch wild birds that “dust” themselves, their movements are quite similar with observing them in bird baths. The first test the “dust”, pretending that it was water, and then simply splashing themselves, before finally fluttering onto the dust and then carrying on. If the birds do not have yet a specific location, choose a strategic patch on the ground. It is preferable that the area drains well right after a rainpour. Clear the said area and rake slightly so that the top part of the soil is loosened. Keep in mind that the dusting areas have to be close to a cover like bushes so that the birds find a welcoming space for them once predators come in the picture.

Sun Bathing- So you think sun bathing is only for humans? Birds also do sun bathing. Wild birds are actually observed these days doing some sun bathing. What they do is that they look for a safe corner that is away from the wind and very far from predators. It is mostly observed that while wild birds are doing some sun bathing, they tend to become unaware to what is happening around them. Wild birds basically bask and enjoy being in the sun during cool mornings so that they could warm themselves. Hummingbirds are most seen in the morning, perched on bird feeders while warming themselves under the heat of the sun. Birds also expose themselves on the sun to dry off as well as preen their feathers. There are also some instances that birds spread their tail feathers and their wings just for sunbathing. Sometimes, birds even put themselves in very weird and awkward positions simply to the expose portions of their body to the sun’s rays.

Anting or Ant Bathing- Just hearing this, might give you goose bumps.. However, for no explained reasons, wild birds love this particular behavior. Accordingly, this aids the unceasing battle of birds against parasites. This particular bird bath is observed into two varied ways. First, a wild bird will hold crushed ants using its beak and then rubbing them over its feathers. Another habit is when birds stand on anthills and allowing the little insects to crawl all over their body. Though these methods are quote weird, it surely add benefits to the birds.

Bird baths are really important. See to it that your backyard is equipped with bird baths so that you can truly enjoy watching them.