|A juvenile scrub jay enjoys a cool drink. Photo by J.J. Meyer|
We can help our backyard birds by providing a clean water source for drinking and bathing.
Having a fountain or birdbath helps attract species that do not visit backyard birdfeeders. All birds are attracted to moving water. In the absence of a pump, small battery powered gadgets such as the Water Wiggler available at garden and nature stores help keep the water moving in a birdbath. Stagnant water can play host to mosquito larvae, which is factor in the spread of West Nile Virus. It’s also important to clean the birdbath every few days, especially in the heat.
Consider adding a mister or dripper to your birdbath for hummingbirds and other species that love to shower. Watching birds fly through a mister is like watching children at a waterpark. Large open rose blooms that collect over spray from misters and sprinklers act as nature’s bathtubs for hummers.