Bird Bath Heaters For Winter Use

When winter came the first year we had a bird bath there was no doubt in our minds, we'd have to maintain a  winter bird bath. This is really easy to do with just an outside outlet and an immersion heater.

I recently read a study that stated birds who had assistance in the winter doubled their chances of survival. Now the study was based on the Black-Capped Chickadee and food sources but I'd hazard a guess that water needs are high on any bird's list for survival in the winter. A heated bird bath easily meets that need.

Installing a bird bath heater for winter baths...

There are many of these immersion type heaters on the market but you'll want to get one specifically for the bird bath (and not for the farm animals).

The one I suggest is from a company I frequent often and trust explicitly. This particular heater comes with a 4 year guarantee! It fits all bird baths of all varieties - pottery, concrete, or plastic - from the smallest feeder to those that are a 10 quart capacity. It grows along with your needs. (And once the birds find out you're supplying water for them in the winter you'll see many more of them!)

Bird Bath Heater or De-Icer

This model has a snap-acting thermostat that will keep the bird bath water heated to 40°-50° F (perfect for them in the coldest of weather. Plus the heater shuts off automatically in 60 seconds if the water is depleted or the heater is moved from the bath (due to a dog or person tripping over the wire, etc.) However, I wouldn't count on any mistakes from the heater falling out of the feeder as it has a stabilizing bracket (very helpful for shallow bird baths), as well as a hook on the handle to anchor the heater to the edge of your bird bath.

Considering a winter of even just 3 months x 4 years use, it works out to less than 6 cents a day. A small price to pay for your family's enjoyment and helping the winter birds out.

You can check it out at the link below, but try not to get carried away like I did and buy more than you'd meant to! A lot of fun stuff at this online birding store!

I'll be testing another bird bath heater this winter as well. When they survive just one of our northern Canadian winters I'm happy, but the one above has made it through two winters without a hitch so far.

Heated Bird Bath, Perfect for Decks or Railings

Now these types of birdbaths can withstand just about any weather - even the cold north of Canada! This is the one we're using this winter (2006-2007).

The two aspects I appreciate most about this unit is that the wires are easily hidden and protected on a deck mount and that the unit tilts or lifts for easy cleaning or storing away in the summer months! You could use it year round but I personally put mine away in the summer and use lawn baths instead.

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