The temperature is certainly shifting, a reminder that frost is not far away. But it isn't just our plants that need some extra help to get through winter, backyard birds also seek refuge in our gardens.
One of the most important things to do is stop your bird bath from freezing in winter so wildlife have access to a clean water source. Enter, the Farm Innovators heated bird bath on Amazon. It's exactly what it sounds like, a bird bath with a heater to stop the water freezing. This heated bird bath caught my eye in particular because it has a beautiful green finish. I also love that it can be mounted in multiple ways, making it a good choice for those with a balcony or yard alike.
It takes all the work out of bird bath winter care (though it's still important to refresh the water regularly). The thing that wows me most about it is the fact shoppers say it still works after a decade of use.
Powered with 75 watts, this heated bird bath gently warms the water to stop it freezing in winter. It's a shallow dish that holds one quart of water, ideal for birds and wildlife to drink from. It's thermostatically controlled and operates only when needed, so you can also use it in spring and summer. There are three mounting options: deck, clamp, and ground mounts.
Stop Your Bird Bath From Freezing
It's an important part of winter bird bath care to stop the water from freezing so your garden wildlife still have access to fresh water during winter. This is especially true where natural water sources are freezing over and bird baths are all wildlife have to rely on.
A heated bird bath does this for you, gently warming up to stop water freezing as needed. You can also turn your existing bird bath into a heated one with a bird bath heater insert (like this from Amazon).
As well as stopping your bird bath from freezing, it's important to clean your bird bath regularly to stop a build-up of algae and debris. This will ensure it remains a safe drinking source for your backyard birds.
The reviews for the Farm Innovators heated bird bath reveal that it works well to help garden birds in winter.
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'After a few months, this bird [bath heater] is still a fantastic water source for birds and squirrels. It holds about two quarts of water and stays ice-free even when temperatures dip to single digits,' one five-star reviewer says.
In fact, the same reviewer gave an update that five years later, it's still working.
'[It's] working great as described in my first review. We fill it every morning with fresh tap water and during high evaporation days I refill it in the afternoon. Throughout winter months I plug it into an outdoor extension cord. It is the first heated birdbath that actually keeps the water mostly thawed for birds and other wildlife to use when temperatures drop below freezing,' they write.
'I've had this dish for 11 years and it still works perfectly,' another shopper shares. I pour a 3-gallon bucket of water into it every day to splash out the dirty water. As long as you refill it every day, there should be enough water to last the whole day.'
The design is carefully though through, with shoppers noting, 'the dish is shallow. This is nice for birds because they can stand in it and feel safe. Also it is nice because the birds often stand next to the dish and lean over to drink.'
One of the biggest perks is that it comes with multiple mounting options, so you can choose to install it in the ground, on decking, or on a rail or post using the clamp.
Because the bird bath is heated through a cord, you can simply unplug and tuck it away for the warmer months, making it a bird bath for year-round use.
Shoppers have also found it's easy to clean, thanks to the powder-coated metal surface.
'The surface keeps the water clean and resists slimy residue. We unplug the reservoir and bring it inside to wash it with a non-scratch sponge weekly,' one person writes.
The fact the bird bath has stood the test of time, is easy to maintain, accessible to wildlife, and looks beautiful justifies the price tag for me. $59.69 may be a bit higher than a standard bird bath (like this $16 one from Walmart), but the fact it's heated and looks so elevated makes it a worthwhile investment for many winters to come.
What to Shop
This beautiful leaf copper disk can be placed in your bird bath to naturally prevent algae, slime, and bacteria building up.
This bird bath heater is submersible, so you can stop your bird bath from freezing over in winter.
High-energy foods, like suet, is crucial for birds in winter. This is a variety pack of four flavors.
As well as keeping your bird feeders and bird bath clean and refreshed through winter, there are multiple native plants to feed birds in winter to add to your yard now. This includes winterberry (which is available at Nature Hills) and viburnum (explore the range at Nature Hills).
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